NPTE PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
A physical therapist assistant treats a patient with a history of Stage I bilateral
lymphedema for balance training after an ankle sprain. Which activities would be the
MOST appropriate intervention for this patient?
a.
Applying a moist heat pack to increase blood circulation and decrease pain post-
balance activities
b.
Focus on long periods of standing balance activities without sitting breaks to increase
standing endurance
c.
Performing strengthening exercise only while sitting on the edge of
d.
Performing strengthening and balance activities with alternating sitting and standing
positions - Answer-D
A physical therapist assistant is about to perform a series of manual muscle tests for a
patient's trapezius muscle. In which positions should the patient be in to test the left
lower trapezius muscle?
a.
Left sidelying
b.
Supine
c.
Right sidelying
d.
Prone - Answer-D
A physical therapist assistant performs passive range of motion (PROM) on a patient's
upper extremity who sustained a burn over 30% of their total body surface area (TBSA)
8 weeks ago. During the session, the assistant notes a significant decrease in ROM,
and the patient is complaining of a point tender area in the biceps/brachialis region.
Which common complication of a burn injury would be the concern with these
symptoms?
a.
Infection
b.
Neuropathy
c.
Heterotopic ossification
d.
Heterotrophic - Answer-C
,A patient reports to physical therapy complaining of low back pain that started five days
ago. The patient complains of radicular symptoms in the mid-left thigh. Pertinent
medical history included a previous episode of low back pain last year, hypertension,
osteoporosis, diabetes, and a knee arthroscopy three years ago. What are the best
treatment options for this patient?
a.
Direction preference
b.
Spinal manipulation by the physical therapist
c.
Stabilization exercises
d.
Mechanical traction - Answer-A
A physical therapist assistant inspects the skin of a patient who was referred for low
back pain. The clinician notes yellowish and whitish crust on the scalp, face, sides of
nose, and ears. The assistant also notes that these areas appear oily. Which of the
following is the appropriate diagnosis for the condition?
a.
Psoriasis
b.
Eczema
c.
Seborrheic dermatitis
d.
Contact dermatitis - Answer-C
A physical therapist assistant works in an outpatient setting and currently treats a
patient with a history of left upper extremity lymphedema and hypertension. Before
initiation of aerobic exercise, blood pressure readings are to be taken. Please select the
most appropriate method to obtain these vital signs for this patient.
a.
Take blood pressure on the left upper extremity brachial artery via sphygmomanometer
before, during, and after activity to monitor patient tolerance.
b.
Take blood pres - Answer-B
When checking vital signs before treatment, the physical therapist assistant measures
the following: heart is at 58 beats per minute; respiratory rate is 7 breaths per minute;
blood pressure is 125/75 mmHg; the oral temperature is 98.8 degrees F. Which vital
sign presents the most significant concern currently??
a.
Blood pressure
b.
Temperature
,c.
Heart rate
d.
Respiratory rate - Answer-D
Which of the following factors may contribute to excessive knee flexion in the stance
phase of gait in a patient with a transtibial prosthesis?
a.
The heel cushion is too soft.
b.
The socket is too far anterior.
c.
The keel is too long.
d.
The socket is too far posterior - Answer-B
Which of the following are the optimal electrode placements for motor stimulation?
a.
Electrodes as far away from each other as possible
b.
Distal to the muscle fibers
c.
One electrode on the functional motor point and the other over a more distal site on the
extremity
d.
One electrode on the functional motor point and the other on the muscle belly - Answer-
D
A second-degree quadriceps strain is described by which of the following statements?
a.
A complete tear across the muscle belly with a significant decrease in motion and pain
b.
No pain with movement but restrictions with activity and motion
c.
A minimal loss of strength and range of motion (ROM) with local tenderness
d.
Pain with activity and decreased ROM and function - Answer-D
A patient in cardiac rehab begins to complain of chest pains, shortness of breath, and
exhibiting signs of diaphoresis. Which of the following medications is used for the
symptoms the patient is exhibiting?
a.
Angiotensin receptor blocker
b.
Thrombolytic agent
c.
, Nitrates
d.
Vasodilator - Answer-C
A physical therapist assistant has observed a child with cerebral palsy to present with
severe extensor posturing of the lower extremities. Which wheelchair modification is
MOST appropriate for this individual?
a.
Hip adductor weakness included in the seat
b.
Seat positioned in the anterior tilt direction
c.
Seat position to create flexion less than 90 degrees at the hip and knees
d.
Seat position to create flexion greater than 90 degrees at the hip and knees - Answer-D
A physical therapist assistant is about to perform a series of manual muscle tests for a
patient's trapezius muscle. In which positions should the patient be in to test the left
lower trapezius muscle?
a.
Prone
b.
Supine
c.
Left sidelying
d.
Right sidelying - Answer-A
A physical therapist assistant reviews the medical chart of a patient diagnosed with left-
sided heart failure. Which of the following findings is not typically associated with this
condition?
a.
Chronic and persistent cough
b.
Dependent edema
c.
Pulmonary edema
d.
Muscular weakness - Answer-B
Which of the following method will be BEST to teach patients segmental breathing?
a.
Place both hands gently over the lower ribs, pay gentle pressure throughout exhalation,
and increase pressure at the end of exhalation by asking the patient to inhale against
the resistance
b.
AND ANSWERS
A physical therapist assistant treats a patient with a history of Stage I bilateral
lymphedema for balance training after an ankle sprain. Which activities would be the
MOST appropriate intervention for this patient?
a.
Applying a moist heat pack to increase blood circulation and decrease pain post-
balance activities
b.
Focus on long periods of standing balance activities without sitting breaks to increase
standing endurance
c.
Performing strengthening exercise only while sitting on the edge of
d.
Performing strengthening and balance activities with alternating sitting and standing
positions - Answer-D
A physical therapist assistant is about to perform a series of manual muscle tests for a
patient's trapezius muscle. In which positions should the patient be in to test the left
lower trapezius muscle?
a.
Left sidelying
b.
Supine
c.
Right sidelying
d.
Prone - Answer-D
A physical therapist assistant performs passive range of motion (PROM) on a patient's
upper extremity who sustained a burn over 30% of their total body surface area (TBSA)
8 weeks ago. During the session, the assistant notes a significant decrease in ROM,
and the patient is complaining of a point tender area in the biceps/brachialis region.
Which common complication of a burn injury would be the concern with these
symptoms?
a.
Infection
b.
Neuropathy
c.
Heterotopic ossification
d.
Heterotrophic - Answer-C
,A patient reports to physical therapy complaining of low back pain that started five days
ago. The patient complains of radicular symptoms in the mid-left thigh. Pertinent
medical history included a previous episode of low back pain last year, hypertension,
osteoporosis, diabetes, and a knee arthroscopy three years ago. What are the best
treatment options for this patient?
a.
Direction preference
b.
Spinal manipulation by the physical therapist
c.
Stabilization exercises
d.
Mechanical traction - Answer-A
A physical therapist assistant inspects the skin of a patient who was referred for low
back pain. The clinician notes yellowish and whitish crust on the scalp, face, sides of
nose, and ears. The assistant also notes that these areas appear oily. Which of the
following is the appropriate diagnosis for the condition?
a.
Psoriasis
b.
Eczema
c.
Seborrheic dermatitis
d.
Contact dermatitis - Answer-C
A physical therapist assistant works in an outpatient setting and currently treats a
patient with a history of left upper extremity lymphedema and hypertension. Before
initiation of aerobic exercise, blood pressure readings are to be taken. Please select the
most appropriate method to obtain these vital signs for this patient.
a.
Take blood pressure on the left upper extremity brachial artery via sphygmomanometer
before, during, and after activity to monitor patient tolerance.
b.
Take blood pres - Answer-B
When checking vital signs before treatment, the physical therapist assistant measures
the following: heart is at 58 beats per minute; respiratory rate is 7 breaths per minute;
blood pressure is 125/75 mmHg; the oral temperature is 98.8 degrees F. Which vital
sign presents the most significant concern currently??
a.
Blood pressure
b.
Temperature
,c.
Heart rate
d.
Respiratory rate - Answer-D
Which of the following factors may contribute to excessive knee flexion in the stance
phase of gait in a patient with a transtibial prosthesis?
a.
The heel cushion is too soft.
b.
The socket is too far anterior.
c.
The keel is too long.
d.
The socket is too far posterior - Answer-B
Which of the following are the optimal electrode placements for motor stimulation?
a.
Electrodes as far away from each other as possible
b.
Distal to the muscle fibers
c.
One electrode on the functional motor point and the other over a more distal site on the
extremity
d.
One electrode on the functional motor point and the other on the muscle belly - Answer-
D
A second-degree quadriceps strain is described by which of the following statements?
a.
A complete tear across the muscle belly with a significant decrease in motion and pain
b.
No pain with movement but restrictions with activity and motion
c.
A minimal loss of strength and range of motion (ROM) with local tenderness
d.
Pain with activity and decreased ROM and function - Answer-D
A patient in cardiac rehab begins to complain of chest pains, shortness of breath, and
exhibiting signs of diaphoresis. Which of the following medications is used for the
symptoms the patient is exhibiting?
a.
Angiotensin receptor blocker
b.
Thrombolytic agent
c.
, Nitrates
d.
Vasodilator - Answer-C
A physical therapist assistant has observed a child with cerebral palsy to present with
severe extensor posturing of the lower extremities. Which wheelchair modification is
MOST appropriate for this individual?
a.
Hip adductor weakness included in the seat
b.
Seat positioned in the anterior tilt direction
c.
Seat position to create flexion less than 90 degrees at the hip and knees
d.
Seat position to create flexion greater than 90 degrees at the hip and knees - Answer-D
A physical therapist assistant is about to perform a series of manual muscle tests for a
patient's trapezius muscle. In which positions should the patient be in to test the left
lower trapezius muscle?
a.
Prone
b.
Supine
c.
Left sidelying
d.
Right sidelying - Answer-A
A physical therapist assistant reviews the medical chart of a patient diagnosed with left-
sided heart failure. Which of the following findings is not typically associated with this
condition?
a.
Chronic and persistent cough
b.
Dependent edema
c.
Pulmonary edema
d.
Muscular weakness - Answer-B
Which of the following method will be BEST to teach patients segmental breathing?
a.
Place both hands gently over the lower ribs, pay gentle pressure throughout exhalation,
and increase pressure at the end of exhalation by asking the patient to inhale against
the resistance
b.
