PTA practice exam 1|| 2024 LATEST
UPDATE|| CORRECT 100%
A physical therapist assistant contemplates the necessary amount of force to overcome friction when
performing mechanical lumbar traction using a non-split traction table. What percentage of a patient's
body weight would be MOST representative of this value? - ANSWER 25%
A physical therapist assistant works with a 75-year-old female that presents with residual periodic loss of
balance secondary to a recent stroke. The patient has minor residual strength deficits in her affected
upper and lower extremities and will need an assistive device for ambulation. Based on the patient's
present status what would be the MOST appropriate assistive device? - ANSWER Rolling walker
A 52-year-old female is referred to physical therapy with right shoulder pathology. The patient reports a
gradual onset of pain beginning six months ago with a progressive loss of range of motion and strength,
most notably in lateral rotation and abduction. The patient reports an inability to perform a number of
activities of daily living including any tasks requiring the arm to be lifted overhead. Which medical
condition is MOST consistent with this scenario? - ANSWER Adhesive capsulitis
During a family meeting in an acute rehabilitation hospital a 26-year-old male with complete C7
tetraplegia asks a variety of questions about self care and mobility expectations. With an uncomplicated
recovery, the patient can expect lower extremity dressing to be performed with what level of assist in
bed? - ANSWER Modified independence
A patient attending her third physical therapy session transitions from a hospital bed to standing in
preparation for ambulation activities. Which blood pressure response would BEST support the physical
therapist assistant's decision to return the patient to a recumbent position? - ANSWER A decrease in
systolic blood pressure greater than 20 mm Hg after moving from a supine position to a sitting or
standing position or a decrease in diastolic blood pressure greater than 10 mm Hg is typically indicative
of orthostatic hypotension
A physical therapist assistant is treating an 82-year-old female that lives independently in a single story
house. The therapist uses the Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment as a screening tool to
determine if the patient is at an increased risk for falling. What is the PRIMARY method this tool uses to
assess fall risk? - ANSWER Gait and balance
, single task screening tool used to assess standing balance and risk of falling. A person is required to
stand upright with a static base of support. A yardstick is positioned to measure the forward distance
that a patient can reach without moving the feet. Three trials are performed and averaged together. A
patient that falls below the age appropriate range for functional reach has an increased risk for falling. -
ANSWER The Functional Reach test
is a tool designed to assess a patient's risk for falling. There are fourteen tasks, each scored on an ordinal
scale from 0-4. These tasks include static activities, transitional movements, and dynamic activities in
sitting and standing positions. The maximum score is a 56 with a score less than 45 indicating an
increased risk for falling. This tool can be used as a one-time examination or as an ongoing tool to
monitor a patient who may be at risk for falls. - ANSWER The Berg Balance scale
is a functional performance screening tool used to assess a person's level of mobility and balance. The
person initially sits in a supported chair with a firm surface, transfers to a standing position, and walks
approximately 10 feet. The patient must then turn around without external support, walk back towards
the chair, and return to a sitting position. The patient is scored based on amount of postural sway,
excessive movements, reaching for support, side stepping or other signs of loss of balance. Patients who
are independent can complete the multi-task process in 10 seconds or less. Patients that require 30
seconds or more are at a high risk for a fall. - ANSWER The Timed Get Up and Go test
A physical therapist assistant educates a patient about their medical condition during a physical therapy
session. During the discussion, the physical therapist assistant mentions that most patients experience
resolution of symptoms when they stop growing. Which medical condition is MOST consistent with this
scenario? - ANSWER Osgood-Schlatter disease
is a condition characterized by malalignment of the femoral head within the acetabulum. The condition
develops during the last trimester in utero and is often treated with the use of a harness, bracing,
splinting or traction. The malalignment does not resolve with skeletal maturity, although it can be
effectively treated through conservative or surgical methods. - ANSWER Congenital hip dysplasia
is a self-limiting condition that results from repetitive traction on the tibial tuberosity apophysis.
Symptoms include point tenderness over the patella tendon at the insertion on the tibial tubercle,
antalgic gait, and pain. - ANSWER Osgood-Schlatter disease
, is a general term describing pain or discomfort in the anterior knee. Adolescents are at increased risk for
developing patellofemoral syndrome, although reaching skeletal maturity does not necessarily lead to
the resolution of symptoms. - ANSWER Patellofemoral syndrome
is characterized by degeneration of the femoral head due to a disturbance in the blood supply (i.e.,
avascular necrosis). This type of structural condition does not resolve with skeletal maturity. - ANSWER
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
A physical therapist assistant employed by a home health agency discusses the established plan of care
with the patient. The patient indicates that he understands what the physical therapist assistant is
recommending, but insists he is not interested in performing active exercise as part of the program.
What would be the MOST appropriate physical therapist assistant response? - ANSWER Explain to the
patient why active exercise is a critical component of the plan of care
A physical therapist assistant treats a 29-year-old male who sustained a superficial partial-thickness burn
to the anterior portion of his left forearm and wrist. Based on the classification of the burn, what is the
MOST likely outcome? - ANSWER Painful burns that present with thickened blisters that heal in less than
three weeks
for a patient to safely propel a wheelchair through the doorway, The minimum width required for a
doorway is ___ inches. - ANSWER 32 inches
A ramp should have a minimum width of ____ inches in order for a patient to ascend and descend the
ramp using a wheelchair. - ANSWER 36 inches
A bathroom sink should have a minimum of ___ inches of clearance (height) under the sink to
accommodate a wheelchair. - ANSWER 29 inches
A physical therapist assistant discusses positioning issues with the nursing staff prior to a scheduled
treatment session. What bony prominence would be particularly susceptible to breakdown with the
patient positioned in the supine position? - ANSWER Spinous processes
may be susceptible to skin breakdown in the prone position, but not in the supine position. - ANSWER
patella, anterior superior illiac spine, anterior shoulder
UPDATE|| CORRECT 100%
A physical therapist assistant contemplates the necessary amount of force to overcome friction when
performing mechanical lumbar traction using a non-split traction table. What percentage of a patient's
body weight would be MOST representative of this value? - ANSWER 25%
A physical therapist assistant works with a 75-year-old female that presents with residual periodic loss of
balance secondary to a recent stroke. The patient has minor residual strength deficits in her affected
upper and lower extremities and will need an assistive device for ambulation. Based on the patient's
present status what would be the MOST appropriate assistive device? - ANSWER Rolling walker
A 52-year-old female is referred to physical therapy with right shoulder pathology. The patient reports a
gradual onset of pain beginning six months ago with a progressive loss of range of motion and strength,
most notably in lateral rotation and abduction. The patient reports an inability to perform a number of
activities of daily living including any tasks requiring the arm to be lifted overhead. Which medical
condition is MOST consistent with this scenario? - ANSWER Adhesive capsulitis
During a family meeting in an acute rehabilitation hospital a 26-year-old male with complete C7
tetraplegia asks a variety of questions about self care and mobility expectations. With an uncomplicated
recovery, the patient can expect lower extremity dressing to be performed with what level of assist in
bed? - ANSWER Modified independence
A patient attending her third physical therapy session transitions from a hospital bed to standing in
preparation for ambulation activities. Which blood pressure response would BEST support the physical
therapist assistant's decision to return the patient to a recumbent position? - ANSWER A decrease in
systolic blood pressure greater than 20 mm Hg after moving from a supine position to a sitting or
standing position or a decrease in diastolic blood pressure greater than 10 mm Hg is typically indicative
of orthostatic hypotension
A physical therapist assistant is treating an 82-year-old female that lives independently in a single story
house. The therapist uses the Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment as a screening tool to
determine if the patient is at an increased risk for falling. What is the PRIMARY method this tool uses to
assess fall risk? - ANSWER Gait and balance
, single task screening tool used to assess standing balance and risk of falling. A person is required to
stand upright with a static base of support. A yardstick is positioned to measure the forward distance
that a patient can reach without moving the feet. Three trials are performed and averaged together. A
patient that falls below the age appropriate range for functional reach has an increased risk for falling. -
ANSWER The Functional Reach test
is a tool designed to assess a patient's risk for falling. There are fourteen tasks, each scored on an ordinal
scale from 0-4. These tasks include static activities, transitional movements, and dynamic activities in
sitting and standing positions. The maximum score is a 56 with a score less than 45 indicating an
increased risk for falling. This tool can be used as a one-time examination or as an ongoing tool to
monitor a patient who may be at risk for falls. - ANSWER The Berg Balance scale
is a functional performance screening tool used to assess a person's level of mobility and balance. The
person initially sits in a supported chair with a firm surface, transfers to a standing position, and walks
approximately 10 feet. The patient must then turn around without external support, walk back towards
the chair, and return to a sitting position. The patient is scored based on amount of postural sway,
excessive movements, reaching for support, side stepping or other signs of loss of balance. Patients who
are independent can complete the multi-task process in 10 seconds or less. Patients that require 30
seconds or more are at a high risk for a fall. - ANSWER The Timed Get Up and Go test
A physical therapist assistant educates a patient about their medical condition during a physical therapy
session. During the discussion, the physical therapist assistant mentions that most patients experience
resolution of symptoms when they stop growing. Which medical condition is MOST consistent with this
scenario? - ANSWER Osgood-Schlatter disease
is a condition characterized by malalignment of the femoral head within the acetabulum. The condition
develops during the last trimester in utero and is often treated with the use of a harness, bracing,
splinting or traction. The malalignment does not resolve with skeletal maturity, although it can be
effectively treated through conservative or surgical methods. - ANSWER Congenital hip dysplasia
is a self-limiting condition that results from repetitive traction on the tibial tuberosity apophysis.
Symptoms include point tenderness over the patella tendon at the insertion on the tibial tubercle,
antalgic gait, and pain. - ANSWER Osgood-Schlatter disease
, is a general term describing pain or discomfort in the anterior knee. Adolescents are at increased risk for
developing patellofemoral syndrome, although reaching skeletal maturity does not necessarily lead to
the resolution of symptoms. - ANSWER Patellofemoral syndrome
is characterized by degeneration of the femoral head due to a disturbance in the blood supply (i.e.,
avascular necrosis). This type of structural condition does not resolve with skeletal maturity. - ANSWER
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
A physical therapist assistant employed by a home health agency discusses the established plan of care
with the patient. The patient indicates that he understands what the physical therapist assistant is
recommending, but insists he is not interested in performing active exercise as part of the program.
What would be the MOST appropriate physical therapist assistant response? - ANSWER Explain to the
patient why active exercise is a critical component of the plan of care
A physical therapist assistant treats a 29-year-old male who sustained a superficial partial-thickness burn
to the anterior portion of his left forearm and wrist. Based on the classification of the burn, what is the
MOST likely outcome? - ANSWER Painful burns that present with thickened blisters that heal in less than
three weeks
for a patient to safely propel a wheelchair through the doorway, The minimum width required for a
doorway is ___ inches. - ANSWER 32 inches
A ramp should have a minimum width of ____ inches in order for a patient to ascend and descend the
ramp using a wheelchair. - ANSWER 36 inches
A bathroom sink should have a minimum of ___ inches of clearance (height) under the sink to
accommodate a wheelchair. - ANSWER 29 inches
A physical therapist assistant discusses positioning issues with the nursing staff prior to a scheduled
treatment session. What bony prominence would be particularly susceptible to breakdown with the
patient positioned in the supine position? - ANSWER Spinous processes
may be susceptible to skin breakdown in the prone position, but not in the supine position. - ANSWER
patella, anterior superior illiac spine, anterior shoulder
