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.
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.
