NPTE practice UPDATED ACTUAL
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Pulmonary/Interventions
When trying to improve the breathing pattern of a patient with a diagnosis of chronic
emphysema, what technique should the PTA emphasize? - CORRECT ANSWER Pursed-
lip breathing
System Interactions/Diseases and Conditions Impacting Intervention
A patient who is 3 months post-CVA is being treated in physical therapy for adhesive capsulitis
of the right shoulder. Today, the patient reports new symptoms including burning pain in the
right UE that is increased by the dependent position along with lowered pain threshold and
heightened sensitivity to light touch. The right hand is mildly edematous and the skin is dry and
warm to touch. Which of the following interventions should be AVOIDED by the PTA? -
CORRECT ANSWER Passive manipulation of the shoulder
Pulmonary/Diseases and Conditions Impacting Intervention
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has developed respiratory acidosis. The
PTA should monitor the patient carefully for which of the following? - CORRECT
ANSWER Disorientation
Cardiac/Interventions
Three days following a myocardial infarction, which of the following activities is
CONTRAINDICATED? - CORRECT ANSWER Upper extremity exercises using 5-
pound weights
Pulmonary/Interventions
Which of the following is appropriate when instructing a patient in diaphragmatic breathing? -
CORRECT ANSWER Place the hands on the rectus abdominis just below the anterior
costal margin
The PT has directed the PTA to monitor a patient's equilibrium reactions during functional
activity training. Which of the following activities is appropriate to meet this direction?
, Neuromuscular/Data Collections - CORRECT ANSWER Have the patient reach forward
while sitting unsupported and observer the patient's recovery
Which of the following accurately lists the development of the grasp reflex in an infant?
Neuromuscular/Data Collection - CORRECT ANSWER Reflexive grasp first, then
voluntary grasp, followed by voluntary release, and finally transfers from hand to hand
Which of the following symptoms is present in an individual with cystic fibrosis?
Neuromuscular/Diseases and Conditions Impacting Intervention - CORRECT
ANSWER Persistent cough, shortness of breath, thick greasy stools
A PTA is treating a patient on the tilt table secondary to orthostatic hypotension. The patient has
been gradually raised form supine to 60⁰ when the blood pressure begins to suddenly decrease.
What is the MOST appropriate manner for the PTA to lower the tilt table? Cardiac/Interventions
- CORRECT ANSWER Lower the patient in 5⁰-10⁰ increments until the blood pressure
stabilizes
The physical therapy team members should be MOST concerned about the development of
keloid scarring with what patient population? Integumentary/Diseases and Conditions Impacting
Intervention - CORRECT ANSWER Persons of African American descent
What should the PTA expect when providing intervention to the lower extremity of a patient
with a diagnosis of venous insufficiency? Integumentary/Data Collection - CORRECT
ANSWER Hemosiderin staining, wounds at the proximal medial malleolus and area warm
to touch
A PTA working in an outpatient clinic has been assigned a group exercise program with patients
in phase III of their cardiac rehabilitation program. For this phase of rehabilitation, which of the
following is MOST appropriate? Cardiac/Interventions - CORRECT ANSWER Resistance
exercises using less than 15 pound when in a sitting position
After reading a patient's medical history, the PTA notes that the patient has arterial insufficiency.
Which of the following is most likely to limit the patient's participation in therapy?
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Pulmonary/Interventions
When trying to improve the breathing pattern of a patient with a diagnosis of chronic
emphysema, what technique should the PTA emphasize? - CORRECT ANSWER Pursed-
lip breathing
System Interactions/Diseases and Conditions Impacting Intervention
A patient who is 3 months post-CVA is being treated in physical therapy for adhesive capsulitis
of the right shoulder. Today, the patient reports new symptoms including burning pain in the
right UE that is increased by the dependent position along with lowered pain threshold and
heightened sensitivity to light touch. The right hand is mildly edematous and the skin is dry and
warm to touch. Which of the following interventions should be AVOIDED by the PTA? -
CORRECT ANSWER Passive manipulation of the shoulder
Pulmonary/Diseases and Conditions Impacting Intervention
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has developed respiratory acidosis. The
PTA should monitor the patient carefully for which of the following? - CORRECT
ANSWER Disorientation
Cardiac/Interventions
Three days following a myocardial infarction, which of the following activities is
CONTRAINDICATED? - CORRECT ANSWER Upper extremity exercises using 5-
pound weights
Pulmonary/Interventions
Which of the following is appropriate when instructing a patient in diaphragmatic breathing? -
CORRECT ANSWER Place the hands on the rectus abdominis just below the anterior
costal margin
The PT has directed the PTA to monitor a patient's equilibrium reactions during functional
activity training. Which of the following activities is appropriate to meet this direction?
, Neuromuscular/Data Collections - CORRECT ANSWER Have the patient reach forward
while sitting unsupported and observer the patient's recovery
Which of the following accurately lists the development of the grasp reflex in an infant?
Neuromuscular/Data Collection - CORRECT ANSWER Reflexive grasp first, then
voluntary grasp, followed by voluntary release, and finally transfers from hand to hand
Which of the following symptoms is present in an individual with cystic fibrosis?
Neuromuscular/Diseases and Conditions Impacting Intervention - CORRECT
ANSWER Persistent cough, shortness of breath, thick greasy stools
A PTA is treating a patient on the tilt table secondary to orthostatic hypotension. The patient has
been gradually raised form supine to 60⁰ when the blood pressure begins to suddenly decrease.
What is the MOST appropriate manner for the PTA to lower the tilt table? Cardiac/Interventions
- CORRECT ANSWER Lower the patient in 5⁰-10⁰ increments until the blood pressure
stabilizes
The physical therapy team members should be MOST concerned about the development of
keloid scarring with what patient population? Integumentary/Diseases and Conditions Impacting
Intervention - CORRECT ANSWER Persons of African American descent
What should the PTA expect when providing intervention to the lower extremity of a patient
with a diagnosis of venous insufficiency? Integumentary/Data Collection - CORRECT
ANSWER Hemosiderin staining, wounds at the proximal medial malleolus and area warm
to touch
A PTA working in an outpatient clinic has been assigned a group exercise program with patients
in phase III of their cardiac rehabilitation program. For this phase of rehabilitation, which of the
following is MOST appropriate? Cardiac/Interventions - CORRECT ANSWER Resistance
exercises using less than 15 pound when in a sitting position
After reading a patient's medical history, the PTA notes that the patient has arterial insufficiency.
Which of the following is most likely to limit the patient's participation in therapy?
