PROSTHETIC ASSISTANT UPDATED PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS MARKED A+
✔✔Wheelchair measurements:
How to measure seat depth? - ✔✔- posterior buttock to posterior aspect of lower leg in
popliteal fossa
- subtract 2-3 inches
✔✔Wheelchair measurements:
How to measure leg length/seat to footplate length? - ✔✔bottom of shoe to just below
thigh in popliteal fossa
✔✔Wheelchair measurements:
How to measure seat height? - ✔✔- no measurements
- minimum clearance between floor and footplate is 2 inches
✔✔Wheelchair measurements:
How to measure armrest height? - ✔✔- seat platform to just below elbows helps at 90˚
with shoulder in neutral position
- add 1 inch
✔✔Wheelchair measurements:
How to measure back height? - ✔✔seat platform to lower angle of scapula, mid
scapula, top of shoulder, based on degree of support desired
✔✔ Purpose of accommodative foot orthotic - ✔✔redistribute forces for fixed deformities
✔✔Purpose of corrective foot orthotics - ✔✔modifies closed kinetic chain motion and
loading
✔✔Purpose of metatarsal pad - ✔✔moves pressure from metatarsal heads to
metatarsal shafts
- allows for more push-off in weak or inflexible feet
(located posterior to metatarsal heads
✔✔Purpose of longitudinal arch support - ✔✔prevent depression of subtler joint and
correct for pes planus
✔✔Purpose of rear foot posting - ✔✔alters position (of subtler joint)
, ✔✔Rearfoot posting: varus vs valgus posting - ✔✔Varus posting (medial wedge): limits
or controls eversion of calcaneus
Valgus post (lateral wedge): controls calcaneus for excessive inversion or supination
✔✔Purpose of forefoot posting - ✔✔supports forefoot
✔✔Forefoot posting: medial wedge is prescribed for forefoot _______________
(varus/valgus) while lateral wedge is prescribed for forefoot ________________
(vary/valgus) - ✔✔medial wedge: forefoot varus
lateral wedge: forefoot valgus
✔✔Purpose of heel lifts - ✔✔accommodates for:
- leg length discrepancy
- limitation in dorsiflexion
✔✔Purpose of rocker bar - ✔✔improves weight shift onto metatarsals
(located proximal to metatarsal heads)
✔✔Purpose of rocker bottom: - ✔✔improves push-off in weak or inflexible feet
✔✔General types of AFO - ✔✔- hinged/articulating
- free motion
- dorsiflexion assist
- plantarflexion stop
- dorsiflexion stop
- static or solid AFO
- ground action AFO
- patellar tendon bearing AFO
- Charcot restrain orthotic walker boot
✔✔Purpose of hinges/articulating AFO - ✔✔allows motion in sagittal plane and controls
other motions
✔✔Purpose of free motion AFO - ✔✔little or no resistance to plantarflexion or
dorsiflexion, helps maintain alignment and medial/lateral stability
✔✔Purpose of dorsiflexion assist AFO - ✔✔- weak dorsiflexion
- limited resistance to plantarflexion
- assist toe clearance
- help control plantarflexion
[example: posterior leaf spring}
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS MARKED A+
✔✔Wheelchair measurements:
How to measure seat depth? - ✔✔- posterior buttock to posterior aspect of lower leg in
popliteal fossa
- subtract 2-3 inches
✔✔Wheelchair measurements:
How to measure leg length/seat to footplate length? - ✔✔bottom of shoe to just below
thigh in popliteal fossa
✔✔Wheelchair measurements:
How to measure seat height? - ✔✔- no measurements
- minimum clearance between floor and footplate is 2 inches
✔✔Wheelchair measurements:
How to measure armrest height? - ✔✔- seat platform to just below elbows helps at 90˚
with shoulder in neutral position
- add 1 inch
✔✔Wheelchair measurements:
How to measure back height? - ✔✔seat platform to lower angle of scapula, mid
scapula, top of shoulder, based on degree of support desired
✔✔ Purpose of accommodative foot orthotic - ✔✔redistribute forces for fixed deformities
✔✔Purpose of corrective foot orthotics - ✔✔modifies closed kinetic chain motion and
loading
✔✔Purpose of metatarsal pad - ✔✔moves pressure from metatarsal heads to
metatarsal shafts
- allows for more push-off in weak or inflexible feet
(located posterior to metatarsal heads
✔✔Purpose of longitudinal arch support - ✔✔prevent depression of subtler joint and
correct for pes planus
✔✔Purpose of rear foot posting - ✔✔alters position (of subtler joint)
, ✔✔Rearfoot posting: varus vs valgus posting - ✔✔Varus posting (medial wedge): limits
or controls eversion of calcaneus
Valgus post (lateral wedge): controls calcaneus for excessive inversion or supination
✔✔Purpose of forefoot posting - ✔✔supports forefoot
✔✔Forefoot posting: medial wedge is prescribed for forefoot _______________
(varus/valgus) while lateral wedge is prescribed for forefoot ________________
(vary/valgus) - ✔✔medial wedge: forefoot varus
lateral wedge: forefoot valgus
✔✔Purpose of heel lifts - ✔✔accommodates for:
- leg length discrepancy
- limitation in dorsiflexion
✔✔Purpose of rocker bar - ✔✔improves weight shift onto metatarsals
(located proximal to metatarsal heads)
✔✔Purpose of rocker bottom: - ✔✔improves push-off in weak or inflexible feet
✔✔General types of AFO - ✔✔- hinged/articulating
- free motion
- dorsiflexion assist
- plantarflexion stop
- dorsiflexion stop
- static or solid AFO
- ground action AFO
- patellar tendon bearing AFO
- Charcot restrain orthotic walker boot
✔✔Purpose of hinges/articulating AFO - ✔✔allows motion in sagittal plane and controls
other motions
✔✔Purpose of free motion AFO - ✔✔little or no resistance to plantarflexion or
dorsiflexion, helps maintain alignment and medial/lateral stability
✔✔Purpose of dorsiflexion assist AFO - ✔✔- weak dorsiflexion
- limited resistance to plantarflexion
- assist toe clearance
- help control plantarflexion
[example: posterior leaf spring}
