PTA National Licensure Exam Practice
Questions 2025/2026 Exam All Answers
and Illustrations Given
a 60-year-old patient rehabilitating from a fractured ankle receives a walking cast
from their physician and is referred to physical therapy. The patient has been
cleared for partial weight bearing on their walking cast. Which type of assistive
device would be the MOST appropriate for the patient?
A. Straight cane
B. Walker
C. Axillary crutches
D. bilateral canes - 🧠 ANSWER ✔✔C. Axillary crutches.
Rational: Axillary Crutches are lightweight and recommended for patients with
adequate coordination. They also will allow the patient to maintain partial weight
, bearing during ambulation. This is the most appropriate assistive device for the
patient given their age and lack of other deficits.
A physical therapist assistant determines that a patient's abnormal gait pattern is
characterized as ataxic. Which of the following BEST describes this gait pattern?
A. Wide base of support with exaggerated movements
B. Legs crossing the midline
C. Small shuffling steps and festinating
D. High stepping with foot slap - 🧠 ANSWER ✔✔A: Wide base of support with
exaggerated movements
Rational: Ataxia is defined by the presence of abnormal, uncoordinated
movements. An ataxic gait pattern is characterized by staggering and unsteadiness.
There is usually a wide base of support and movements are exaggerated.
A physical therapist assistant prepares to apply a sterile dressing to a wound after
debridement. The assistant begins the process by drying the wound using a towel,
applies medication to the wound using a gauze pad, and then applies a series of
dressings that are secured using a bandage. The application of which of these steps
would NOT warrant the use of sterile technique?
A. Bandage
Questions 2025/2026 Exam All Answers
and Illustrations Given
a 60-year-old patient rehabilitating from a fractured ankle receives a walking cast
from their physician and is referred to physical therapy. The patient has been
cleared for partial weight bearing on their walking cast. Which type of assistive
device would be the MOST appropriate for the patient?
A. Straight cane
B. Walker
C. Axillary crutches
D. bilateral canes - 🧠 ANSWER ✔✔C. Axillary crutches.
Rational: Axillary Crutches are lightweight and recommended for patients with
adequate coordination. They also will allow the patient to maintain partial weight
, bearing during ambulation. This is the most appropriate assistive device for the
patient given their age and lack of other deficits.
A physical therapist assistant determines that a patient's abnormal gait pattern is
characterized as ataxic. Which of the following BEST describes this gait pattern?
A. Wide base of support with exaggerated movements
B. Legs crossing the midline
C. Small shuffling steps and festinating
D. High stepping with foot slap - 🧠 ANSWER ✔✔A: Wide base of support with
exaggerated movements
Rational: Ataxia is defined by the presence of abnormal, uncoordinated
movements. An ataxic gait pattern is characterized by staggering and unsteadiness.
There is usually a wide base of support and movements are exaggerated.
A physical therapist assistant prepares to apply a sterile dressing to a wound after
debridement. The assistant begins the process by drying the wound using a towel,
applies medication to the wound using a gauze pad, and then applies a series of
dressings that are secured using a bandage. The application of which of these steps
would NOT warrant the use of sterile technique?
A. Bandage
