CERTIFIED PROSTHETIC ORTHOTIC ASSISTANT
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
Q&A STUDY GUIDE
◉ Which of the following is a major cause of the toe externally
rotating at heel strike for an AK? A)knee bolt externally rotated.
B)excessive toe out. C)keel too short. D) plantar flexion resistance is
too firm? Answer: D) plantarflexion resistance is too firm
◉ All of the following factors contribute to vaulting with an AK
except? A) weak hip extensors. B)prosthesis too long. C) excessive
knee friction. D)inadequate suspension? Answer: A) weak hip
extensors
◉ The gait cycle consists of? Answer: Heel strike on one side to the
following heel strike on the same side.
◉ Venous return of the blood to the heart is assisted by? Answer:
The action of skeletal muscles
◉ How many inches does the center of gravity shift from side to side
during normal locomotion? Answer: 2 inches
,◉ Your center of gravity is located where? Answer: Just anterior of
the second sacral vertebrae.
◉ The surgical attachment of muscle to muscle Answer: Myoplasty
◉ The surgical attachment of muscle to bone Answer: Myodesis
◉ The body's center of gravity reaches its highest point at? Answer:
midstance
◉ Pressure is determined by (equation) Answer: Force divided by
area
◉ During normal human locomotion, between heel contact and foot
flat, GRF causes which moment at the knee and hip? Answer: Knee
flexion and hip flexion
◉ If the sciatic nerve is severed at the level of the lesser trochanter,
muscle function will not be impaired at which lower extremity joint?
Answer: The hip joint
◉ In a shoulder disartic, what muscles would be most suitable sites
for control of a myoelectric elbow? Answer: Pectoralis major and the
trapezius
, ◉ In a scapulothoracic amputee, what motion can be used to operate
the prosthesis? Answer: Chest expansion
◉ The infraspinatus performs what action? Answer: external
rotation of the arm, stabilize the shoulder
◉ The terminal device on a shoulder disartic is operated primarily
by scapular...? Answer: Scapular abduction
◉ Shoulder district tend to have more difficulty with force or
excursion? Answer: Excursion needed to operate the prosthesis.
◉ The most prominent and superior point of the shoulder girdle is
the? Answer: Acromion
◉ Benefits of a shoulder saddle harness? Answer: Increase comfort
in axial loading, reduce pressure on the axilla (however does not
improve excursion with biscapular abduction)
◉ What UE amputation level are external or outside locking joints
designed for? Answer: Elbow disarticulation or distal humerus
(when a standard elbow unit would otherwise excessively elongate
the humeral section)
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
Q&A STUDY GUIDE
◉ Which of the following is a major cause of the toe externally
rotating at heel strike for an AK? A)knee bolt externally rotated.
B)excessive toe out. C)keel too short. D) plantar flexion resistance is
too firm? Answer: D) plantarflexion resistance is too firm
◉ All of the following factors contribute to vaulting with an AK
except? A) weak hip extensors. B)prosthesis too long. C) excessive
knee friction. D)inadequate suspension? Answer: A) weak hip
extensors
◉ The gait cycle consists of? Answer: Heel strike on one side to the
following heel strike on the same side.
◉ Venous return of the blood to the heart is assisted by? Answer:
The action of skeletal muscles
◉ How many inches does the center of gravity shift from side to side
during normal locomotion? Answer: 2 inches
,◉ Your center of gravity is located where? Answer: Just anterior of
the second sacral vertebrae.
◉ The surgical attachment of muscle to muscle Answer: Myoplasty
◉ The surgical attachment of muscle to bone Answer: Myodesis
◉ The body's center of gravity reaches its highest point at? Answer:
midstance
◉ Pressure is determined by (equation) Answer: Force divided by
area
◉ During normal human locomotion, between heel contact and foot
flat, GRF causes which moment at the knee and hip? Answer: Knee
flexion and hip flexion
◉ If the sciatic nerve is severed at the level of the lesser trochanter,
muscle function will not be impaired at which lower extremity joint?
Answer: The hip joint
◉ In a shoulder disartic, what muscles would be most suitable sites
for control of a myoelectric elbow? Answer: Pectoralis major and the
trapezius
, ◉ In a scapulothoracic amputee, what motion can be used to operate
the prosthesis? Answer: Chest expansion
◉ The infraspinatus performs what action? Answer: external
rotation of the arm, stabilize the shoulder
◉ The terminal device on a shoulder disartic is operated primarily
by scapular...? Answer: Scapular abduction
◉ Shoulder district tend to have more difficulty with force or
excursion? Answer: Excursion needed to operate the prosthesis.
◉ The most prominent and superior point of the shoulder girdle is
the? Answer: Acromion
◉ Benefits of a shoulder saddle harness? Answer: Increase comfort
in axial loading, reduce pressure on the axilla (however does not
improve excursion with biscapular abduction)
◉ What UE amputation level are external or outside locking joints
designed for? Answer: Elbow disarticulation or distal humerus
(when a standard elbow unit would otherwise excessively elongate
the humeral section)
