PTA BOARD EXAM
A 54-year-old male diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is
referred to physical therapy. Based on the patient's diagnosis, which of the
following would be the MOST significant finding of a pulmonary function test?
1. decreased expiratory reserve volume
2. increased inspiratory reserve volume
3. decreased tidal volume
4. increased residual volume - ANSWERS-4. Increased residual volume
A patient with a recent stroke affecting the right hemisphere displays signs
consistent with pusher syndrome. While practicing seated balance reactions, this
patient would MOST likely lean:
1. forward
2. backward
3. to the right
4. to the left - ANSWERS-4. to the left
A physical therapist assistant treats an infant diagnosed with torticollis with
marked lateral flexion of the neck to the right. As part of the infant's plan of care
the physical therapist assistant performs passive stretching activities to improve
the patient's range of motion. The MOST appropriate stretch for the patient is:
1. lateral flexion to the right and rotation to the right
2. lateral flexion to the left and rotation to the left
3. lateral flexion to the right and rotation to the left
4. lateral flexion to the left and rotation to the right - ANSWERS-4. lateral
flexion to the left and rotation to the right
,A patient rehabilitating from a stroke is referred to physical therapy. The
medical record indicates the stroke primarily involved the right hemisphere of
the brain. Which of the following objective findings would be LEAST likely
when working with the patient?
1. diminished motor control of the left side of the body
2. impaired awareness of the right side of the body
3. impaired spatial ability
4. diminished emotional depth - ANSWERS-2. Impaired awareness of the right
side of the body
A physical therapist assistant attempts to obtain information on a patient's
response to exercise by assessing pulse rate immediately after an exercise
session. Which of the following techniques would provide the physical therapist
assistant with the desired information?
1. determine the pulse rate using the brachial artery for 10 seconds and multiply
by six
2. determine the pulse rate using the femoral artery for 15 seconds and multiply
by four
3. determine the pulse rate using the radial artery for 30 seconds and multiply
by two
4. determine the pulse rate using the carotid artery for 60 seconds - ANSWERS-
3. Determine the pulse rate using the radial artery for 30 seconds and multiply
by 2
A physical therapist assistant elects to terminate an exercise session after
recording a patient's blood pressure as 165/105 mm Hg and pulse as 140 beats
per minute. Assuming the patient's blood pressure was recorded as 125/85 mm
Hg and the pulse as 72 beats per minute at rest, which finding was MOST
responsible for the exercise being terminated?
1. the systolic blood pressure response
,2. the diastolic blood pressure response
3. the systolic and diastolic blood pressure responses
4. the heart rate response - ANSWERS-2. the diastolic blood pressure response
A physical therapist assistant is treating a patient with a right transtibial
amputation. When ambulating with a patellar-tendon bearing socket, the patient
complains of discomfort on the patella. The MOST appropriate treatment to
decrease the patient's discomfort is to:
1. add a shoe lift to the left leg
2. add a one ply sock to the residual limb and reapply the prosthesis
3. discontinue ambulation
4. place a piece of foam over the patella and reapply the prosthesis -
ANSWERS-2. Add a one ply sock to the residual limb and reapply the
prosthesis
A physical therapist assistant prepares to perform manual vibration as a means
of airway clearance with a patient diagnosed with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease. When performing vibration the MOST appropriate form of
manual contact over the affected lung segment is:
1. contact with a cupped hand
2. contact with the entire palmar surface of the hand
3. contact with the ulnar border of the hand
4. contact with the distal phalanx of the middle finger - ANSWERS-2. contact
with the entire palmar surface of the hand
A patient that has been on extended bed rest is positioned on a tilt table. After
slightly elevating the head of the tilt table, the patient begins to experience mild
dizziness. The patient's systolic blood pressure is measured as 10 mm Hg less
than the value recorded at the beginning of the treatment session. The MOST
appropriate physical therapist assistant action is:
, 1. reassure the patient that the response is not unusual
2. contact the director of rehabilitation for assistance
3. document the incident in the patient's chart
4. lower the tilt table - ANSWERS-1. Reassure the patient that the response is
not unusual
A 56-year-old male with osteoarthritis is referred to physical therapy for
strengthening exercises. Physical examination reveals moderate inflammation
and swelling in the left knee with evidence of quadriceps atrophy. The patient
indicates the knee is often painful, particularly after periods of prolonged
standing. The MOST appropriate form of exercise to initiate strength training is:
1. isometric muscle setting exercise
2. active knee extension using elastic tubing
3. progressive resistive exercise using ankle weights
4. limited range isokinetic exercise - ANSWERS-1. Isometric muscle setting
exercise
A physical therapist assistant instructs a 27-year-old patient rehabilitating from
anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery on how to perform a swing
through gait pattern. Which of the following instructions would NOT be
included in patient education regarding an unrecoverable backward loss of
balance?
1. release your crutches
2. bend your trunk forward
3. reach backward with your arms
4. move your chin towards your chest - ANSWERS-3. reach backward with
your arms
A 54-year-old male diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is
referred to physical therapy. Based on the patient's diagnosis, which of the
following would be the MOST significant finding of a pulmonary function test?
1. decreased expiratory reserve volume
2. increased inspiratory reserve volume
3. decreased tidal volume
4. increased residual volume - ANSWERS-4. Increased residual volume
A patient with a recent stroke affecting the right hemisphere displays signs
consistent with pusher syndrome. While practicing seated balance reactions, this
patient would MOST likely lean:
1. forward
2. backward
3. to the right
4. to the left - ANSWERS-4. to the left
A physical therapist assistant treats an infant diagnosed with torticollis with
marked lateral flexion of the neck to the right. As part of the infant's plan of care
the physical therapist assistant performs passive stretching activities to improve
the patient's range of motion. The MOST appropriate stretch for the patient is:
1. lateral flexion to the right and rotation to the right
2. lateral flexion to the left and rotation to the left
3. lateral flexion to the right and rotation to the left
4. lateral flexion to the left and rotation to the right - ANSWERS-4. lateral
flexion to the left and rotation to the right
,A patient rehabilitating from a stroke is referred to physical therapy. The
medical record indicates the stroke primarily involved the right hemisphere of
the brain. Which of the following objective findings would be LEAST likely
when working with the patient?
1. diminished motor control of the left side of the body
2. impaired awareness of the right side of the body
3. impaired spatial ability
4. diminished emotional depth - ANSWERS-2. Impaired awareness of the right
side of the body
A physical therapist assistant attempts to obtain information on a patient's
response to exercise by assessing pulse rate immediately after an exercise
session. Which of the following techniques would provide the physical therapist
assistant with the desired information?
1. determine the pulse rate using the brachial artery for 10 seconds and multiply
by six
2. determine the pulse rate using the femoral artery for 15 seconds and multiply
by four
3. determine the pulse rate using the radial artery for 30 seconds and multiply
by two
4. determine the pulse rate using the carotid artery for 60 seconds - ANSWERS-
3. Determine the pulse rate using the radial artery for 30 seconds and multiply
by 2
A physical therapist assistant elects to terminate an exercise session after
recording a patient's blood pressure as 165/105 mm Hg and pulse as 140 beats
per minute. Assuming the patient's blood pressure was recorded as 125/85 mm
Hg and the pulse as 72 beats per minute at rest, which finding was MOST
responsible for the exercise being terminated?
1. the systolic blood pressure response
,2. the diastolic blood pressure response
3. the systolic and diastolic blood pressure responses
4. the heart rate response - ANSWERS-2. the diastolic blood pressure response
A physical therapist assistant is treating a patient with a right transtibial
amputation. When ambulating with a patellar-tendon bearing socket, the patient
complains of discomfort on the patella. The MOST appropriate treatment to
decrease the patient's discomfort is to:
1. add a shoe lift to the left leg
2. add a one ply sock to the residual limb and reapply the prosthesis
3. discontinue ambulation
4. place a piece of foam over the patella and reapply the prosthesis -
ANSWERS-2. Add a one ply sock to the residual limb and reapply the
prosthesis
A physical therapist assistant prepares to perform manual vibration as a means
of airway clearance with a patient diagnosed with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease. When performing vibration the MOST appropriate form of
manual contact over the affected lung segment is:
1. contact with a cupped hand
2. contact with the entire palmar surface of the hand
3. contact with the ulnar border of the hand
4. contact with the distal phalanx of the middle finger - ANSWERS-2. contact
with the entire palmar surface of the hand
A patient that has been on extended bed rest is positioned on a tilt table. After
slightly elevating the head of the tilt table, the patient begins to experience mild
dizziness. The patient's systolic blood pressure is measured as 10 mm Hg less
than the value recorded at the beginning of the treatment session. The MOST
appropriate physical therapist assistant action is:
, 1. reassure the patient that the response is not unusual
2. contact the director of rehabilitation for assistance
3. document the incident in the patient's chart
4. lower the tilt table - ANSWERS-1. Reassure the patient that the response is
not unusual
A 56-year-old male with osteoarthritis is referred to physical therapy for
strengthening exercises. Physical examination reveals moderate inflammation
and swelling in the left knee with evidence of quadriceps atrophy. The patient
indicates the knee is often painful, particularly after periods of prolonged
standing. The MOST appropriate form of exercise to initiate strength training is:
1. isometric muscle setting exercise
2. active knee extension using elastic tubing
3. progressive resistive exercise using ankle weights
4. limited range isokinetic exercise - ANSWERS-1. Isometric muscle setting
exercise
A physical therapist assistant instructs a 27-year-old patient rehabilitating from
anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery on how to perform a swing
through gait pattern. Which of the following instructions would NOT be
included in patient education regarding an unrecoverable backward loss of
balance?
1. release your crutches
2. bend your trunk forward
3. reach backward with your arms
4. move your chin towards your chest - ANSWERS-3. reach backward with
your arms
