PTA practice exam 1 2024
LATEST UPDATE CORRECT 100%
A physical therapist assistant presents an in-service to the rehabilitation staff that compares traditional
gait terminology with Rancho Los Amigos terminology. Which pair of descriptive terms describes the
same general point in the gait cycle? - ANSWER Heel strike and initial contact
A physical therapist assistant monitors the vital signs of a patient running on a treadmill at a series of
steadily increasing speeds. A change in which variable would be MOST responsible for an observed
increase in pulse pressure during the exercise session? - ANSWER Systolic blood pressure
A physical therapist assistant inspects a patient's wheelchair and identifies that the drive wheel axle is
aligned further posterior than it typically would be in a standard wheelchair. This type of alignment
would MOST likely result in which of the following outcomes? - ANSWER Increased energy required for
propulsion
A physical therapist assistant works with a patient on gait training using bilateral axillary crutches. The
right axillary crutch is modified with a platform attachment. The MOST likely reason for this modification
is to accommodate a patient with which of the following problems? - ANSWER A radial nerve injury
A physical therapist assistant assesses the posture of a patient from a lateral view using a plumb line.
Which of the following medical conditions would be the LEAST likely to result in the external auditory
meatus being anterior to the plumb line?
1. Ankylosing spondylitis
2. Graves' disease
3. Osteoporosis
4. Parkinson's disease - ANSWER Graves' disease
, A patient with cardiovascular pathology is placed on a diuretic. Which type of laboratory test should be
the MOST essential for the physical therapist assistant to monitor based on the patient's prescribed
medication? - ANSWER Serum electrolytes
A patient reports recurrent ankle pain. The physical therapist directs a physical therapist assistant to
perform ultrasound over the peroneus longus and brevis tendons. Which of the following locations is the
MOST appropriate for the application of ultrasound? - ANSWER Posterior to the lateral malleolus
A physical therapist assistant prepares to measure medial rotation of a patient's shoulder with a
goniometer. Which of the following structures should the assistant use to align the fulcrum? - ANSWER
Over the olecranon process
A physical therapist assistant monitors a patient with a single lead electrocardiogram. After reviewing the
obtained data, the rhythm is classified as sinus bradycardia. Which of the following descriptions is the
MOST indicative of this condition? - ANSWER R-R interval is regular with a rate less than 60 beats per
minute
A physical therapist assistant reviews the medical record of a patient with an arthritic condition. Which
piece of information would be the MOST useful to assist in the definitive diagnosis of rheumatoid
arthritis? - ANSWER Blood tests
A physical therapist assistant reads in a patient's medical chart that the patient has been prescribed
albuterol. Which of the following conditions would MOST likely require the use of this medication? -
ANSWER Exercise-induced asthma
A physical therapist assistant consults with a teacher regarding a child with autism who has impairments
in sensory processing. Which of the following pieces of equipment would be the MOST useful to address
the child's dyspraxia? - ANSWER Weighted vest
A physical therapist assistant reads in the medical record that a patient was recently prescribed a
thrombolytic agent. Which condition would be considered a contraindication to this type of
pharmacological agent? - ANSWER Hemorrhagic stroke
, A physical therapist assistant reads a recent entry in a patient's medical record that indicates aspiration
was performed in the elbow region. This procedure is MOST commonly associated with which of the
following conditions? - ANSWER Olecranon bursitis
A patient is referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of left shoulder impingement. During the
session, the physical therapist assistant begins to suspect a systemic cause for the patient's pain. Which
of the following symptoms would BEST support this hypothesis? - ANSWER Pain remains unrelieved with
rest
A patient in the physical therapy gym suddenly grasps their throat and begins to cough. The physical
therapist assistant, recognizing the signs of an airway obstruction, should take which of the following
actions? - ANSWER Continue to observe the patient, but do not interfere
A physical therapist assistant reviews a patient's medical record prior to beginning treatment. The record
indicates the patient was recently placed on amitriptyline (Elavil). Which of the following responses is
the MOST common side effect associated with this tricyclic antidepressant? - ANSWER Sedation
A physical therapist assistant notices significant atrophy of the infraspinatus muscle while treating a
patient with shoulder pathology. This finding is MOST consistent with an injury to which of the following
nerves? - ANSWER Suprascapular
A physical therapist assistant is performing gait training on a patient who has a transtibial amputation.
After 15 minutes of training, the patellar tendon-bearing prosthesis is removed for skin inspection.
Redness is noted on multiple areas of the residual limb. Which area of redness should be the GREATEST
concern to the assistant? - ANSWER Distal anterior tibia
A patient returns from a physician visit and informs a physical therapist assistant that they have
decreased their systolic blood pressure by approximately 20 mm Hg over the last two months. Which
intervention would MOST likely be responsible for the decrease in systolic blood pressure? - ANSWER
Pharmacological management
A patient sustained a non-displaced fracture of the proximal humerus. Which of the following clinical
findings would provide the BEST support for the patient being cleared to perform active-assisted
exercise? - ANSWER Callus formation
LATEST UPDATE CORRECT 100%
A physical therapist assistant presents an in-service to the rehabilitation staff that compares traditional
gait terminology with Rancho Los Amigos terminology. Which pair of descriptive terms describes the
same general point in the gait cycle? - ANSWER Heel strike and initial contact
A physical therapist assistant monitors the vital signs of a patient running on a treadmill at a series of
steadily increasing speeds. A change in which variable would be MOST responsible for an observed
increase in pulse pressure during the exercise session? - ANSWER Systolic blood pressure
A physical therapist assistant inspects a patient's wheelchair and identifies that the drive wheel axle is
aligned further posterior than it typically would be in a standard wheelchair. This type of alignment
would MOST likely result in which of the following outcomes? - ANSWER Increased energy required for
propulsion
A physical therapist assistant works with a patient on gait training using bilateral axillary crutches. The
right axillary crutch is modified with a platform attachment. The MOST likely reason for this modification
is to accommodate a patient with which of the following problems? - ANSWER A radial nerve injury
A physical therapist assistant assesses the posture of a patient from a lateral view using a plumb line.
Which of the following medical conditions would be the LEAST likely to result in the external auditory
meatus being anterior to the plumb line?
1. Ankylosing spondylitis
2. Graves' disease
3. Osteoporosis
4. Parkinson's disease - ANSWER Graves' disease
, A patient with cardiovascular pathology is placed on a diuretic. Which type of laboratory test should be
the MOST essential for the physical therapist assistant to monitor based on the patient's prescribed
medication? - ANSWER Serum electrolytes
A patient reports recurrent ankle pain. The physical therapist directs a physical therapist assistant to
perform ultrasound over the peroneus longus and brevis tendons. Which of the following locations is the
MOST appropriate for the application of ultrasound? - ANSWER Posterior to the lateral malleolus
A physical therapist assistant prepares to measure medial rotation of a patient's shoulder with a
goniometer. Which of the following structures should the assistant use to align the fulcrum? - ANSWER
Over the olecranon process
A physical therapist assistant monitors a patient with a single lead electrocardiogram. After reviewing the
obtained data, the rhythm is classified as sinus bradycardia. Which of the following descriptions is the
MOST indicative of this condition? - ANSWER R-R interval is regular with a rate less than 60 beats per
minute
A physical therapist assistant reviews the medical record of a patient with an arthritic condition. Which
piece of information would be the MOST useful to assist in the definitive diagnosis of rheumatoid
arthritis? - ANSWER Blood tests
A physical therapist assistant reads in a patient's medical chart that the patient has been prescribed
albuterol. Which of the following conditions would MOST likely require the use of this medication? -
ANSWER Exercise-induced asthma
A physical therapist assistant consults with a teacher regarding a child with autism who has impairments
in sensory processing. Which of the following pieces of equipment would be the MOST useful to address
the child's dyspraxia? - ANSWER Weighted vest
A physical therapist assistant reads in the medical record that a patient was recently prescribed a
thrombolytic agent. Which condition would be considered a contraindication to this type of
pharmacological agent? - ANSWER Hemorrhagic stroke
, A physical therapist assistant reads a recent entry in a patient's medical record that indicates aspiration
was performed in the elbow region. This procedure is MOST commonly associated with which of the
following conditions? - ANSWER Olecranon bursitis
A patient is referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of left shoulder impingement. During the
session, the physical therapist assistant begins to suspect a systemic cause for the patient's pain. Which
of the following symptoms would BEST support this hypothesis? - ANSWER Pain remains unrelieved with
rest
A patient in the physical therapy gym suddenly grasps their throat and begins to cough. The physical
therapist assistant, recognizing the signs of an airway obstruction, should take which of the following
actions? - ANSWER Continue to observe the patient, but do not interfere
A physical therapist assistant reviews a patient's medical record prior to beginning treatment. The record
indicates the patient was recently placed on amitriptyline (Elavil). Which of the following responses is
the MOST common side effect associated with this tricyclic antidepressant? - ANSWER Sedation
A physical therapist assistant notices significant atrophy of the infraspinatus muscle while treating a
patient with shoulder pathology. This finding is MOST consistent with an injury to which of the following
nerves? - ANSWER Suprascapular
A physical therapist assistant is performing gait training on a patient who has a transtibial amputation.
After 15 minutes of training, the patellar tendon-bearing prosthesis is removed for skin inspection.
Redness is noted on multiple areas of the residual limb. Which area of redness should be the GREATEST
concern to the assistant? - ANSWER Distal anterior tibia
A patient returns from a physician visit and informs a physical therapist assistant that they have
decreased their systolic blood pressure by approximately 20 mm Hg over the last two months. Which
intervention would MOST likely be responsible for the decrease in systolic blood pressure? - ANSWER
Pharmacological management
A patient sustained a non-displaced fracture of the proximal humerus. Which of the following clinical
findings would provide the BEST support for the patient being cleared to perform active-assisted
exercise? - ANSWER Callus formation
