NPTE PTA Exam – Week 9 Study Guide (Physical Therapist Assistant Review, Key Concepts &
Practice Questions with Answers)
A physical therapist assistant reviews a patient's medical history and notes the following
findings: (1) insufficient production and release of adrenal hormones, (2) excessive fatigue, (3)
low blood pressure, and (4) hyperpigmentation. What should the assistant expect is the
patient's diagnosis?
a.
Adrenal gland hyperfunction
b.
Thyroid hyperfunction
c.
Adrenal gland hypofunction
d.
Thyroid hypo function - ANS ✔✔A
The physical therapist's plan of care for a patient with acute low back pain identifies using
interferential current. Where should the physical therapist assistant place the electrodes?
a.
Channel one parallel to the spinal column crossing the mid-thoracic spinal paravertebrals
b.
Diagonally, so the channels cross near the area of most pain
c.
Immediately adjacent and parallel to the spinal column, one channel on each side.
d.
Channel one perpendicular to the spinal column - ANS ✔✔B
,Which of the following describes the correct order of muscles from medial to lateral, starting at
the thoracic vertebra, six spinous processes?
a.
Iliocostalis, spinalis, longissimus
b.
Spinalis, longissimus, iliocostalis
c.
Spinalis, iliocostalis, longissimus
d.
Longissimus, iliocostalis, spinalis - ANS ✔✔B
A physical therapist assistant discusses the passive restraints around the elbow with their
supervising physical therapist. Which ligament is typically involved with medial instability of the
elbow?
a.
Lateral (radial) collateral
b.
Olecranon
c.
Medial (ulnar) collateral
d.
Annular - ANS ✔✔C
A physical therapist assistant is providing gait training to a patient with hemiplegia. The patient
has been ambulating with an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), but today the assistant noticed that the
patient's involved foot frequently catches the ground during the initial swing phase of gait.
Which muscle should be the focus of a lower extremity strengthening program to treat this
problem effectively?
,a.
Iliopsoas/rectus femoris
b.
Hamstrings
c.
Gluteus medius
d.
Gluteus maximus - ANS ✔✔A
A contractor constructing a wheelchair-accessible ramp in a skilled nursing facility should utilize
which of these measurements?
a.
4 in high, 4 ft long
b.
3 in high, 2 ft long
c.
6 in high, 12 ft long
d.
5 in high, 6 ft long - ANS ✔✔A
A patient sustained a left rectus femoris strain while playing volleyball two weeks ago. The plan
of care indicates beginning a stretching program to promote a functional gain in range of
motion. The patient has complained of pain and discomfort with knee flexion greater than 80
degrees. Which is the MOST appropriate intervention following 20 minutes of moist heat?
a.
Three repetitions of hold-relax with a 30-second hold and a 10-second relax with stretch at end
range
b.
, Immediate static stretching at the end range with a 10-20 second stretch
c.
Immediate ballistic stretching with ten passive stretches to end range, repeat two sets
d.
Immediate static, progressive stretching just beyond tissue resistance with a 30-60 second
stretch - ANS ✔✔D
A nerve entrapment at L5-S1 would result in decreased sensation in the following areas?
a.
Lateral aspect of the fifth toe
b.
Medial knee
c.
Lateral lower leg
d.
Medial lower leg - ANS ✔✔C
A physical therapist assistant sets up a patient to perform joint mobilizations on the proximal
radioulnar joint. How should the assistant position the elbow and forearm to place the joint in
its open-packed position?
a.
70 degrees flexion, 35 degrees supination
b.
45 degrees flexion, 20 degrees supination
c.
10 degrees flexion, 10 degrees pronation
d.
Practice Questions with Answers)
A physical therapist assistant reviews a patient's medical history and notes the following
findings: (1) insufficient production and release of adrenal hormones, (2) excessive fatigue, (3)
low blood pressure, and (4) hyperpigmentation. What should the assistant expect is the
patient's diagnosis?
a.
Adrenal gland hyperfunction
b.
Thyroid hyperfunction
c.
Adrenal gland hypofunction
d.
Thyroid hypo function - ANS ✔✔A
The physical therapist's plan of care for a patient with acute low back pain identifies using
interferential current. Where should the physical therapist assistant place the electrodes?
a.
Channel one parallel to the spinal column crossing the mid-thoracic spinal paravertebrals
b.
Diagonally, so the channels cross near the area of most pain
c.
Immediately adjacent and parallel to the spinal column, one channel on each side.
d.
Channel one perpendicular to the spinal column - ANS ✔✔B
,Which of the following describes the correct order of muscles from medial to lateral, starting at
the thoracic vertebra, six spinous processes?
a.
Iliocostalis, spinalis, longissimus
b.
Spinalis, longissimus, iliocostalis
c.
Spinalis, iliocostalis, longissimus
d.
Longissimus, iliocostalis, spinalis - ANS ✔✔B
A physical therapist assistant discusses the passive restraints around the elbow with their
supervising physical therapist. Which ligament is typically involved with medial instability of the
elbow?
a.
Lateral (radial) collateral
b.
Olecranon
c.
Medial (ulnar) collateral
d.
Annular - ANS ✔✔C
A physical therapist assistant is providing gait training to a patient with hemiplegia. The patient
has been ambulating with an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), but today the assistant noticed that the
patient's involved foot frequently catches the ground during the initial swing phase of gait.
Which muscle should be the focus of a lower extremity strengthening program to treat this
problem effectively?
,a.
Iliopsoas/rectus femoris
b.
Hamstrings
c.
Gluteus medius
d.
Gluteus maximus - ANS ✔✔A
A contractor constructing a wheelchair-accessible ramp in a skilled nursing facility should utilize
which of these measurements?
a.
4 in high, 4 ft long
b.
3 in high, 2 ft long
c.
6 in high, 12 ft long
d.
5 in high, 6 ft long - ANS ✔✔A
A patient sustained a left rectus femoris strain while playing volleyball two weeks ago. The plan
of care indicates beginning a stretching program to promote a functional gain in range of
motion. The patient has complained of pain and discomfort with knee flexion greater than 80
degrees. Which is the MOST appropriate intervention following 20 minutes of moist heat?
a.
Three repetitions of hold-relax with a 30-second hold and a 10-second relax with stretch at end
range
b.
, Immediate static stretching at the end range with a 10-20 second stretch
c.
Immediate ballistic stretching with ten passive stretches to end range, repeat two sets
d.
Immediate static, progressive stretching just beyond tissue resistance with a 30-60 second
stretch - ANS ✔✔D
A nerve entrapment at L5-S1 would result in decreased sensation in the following areas?
a.
Lateral aspect of the fifth toe
b.
Medial knee
c.
Lateral lower leg
d.
Medial lower leg - ANS ✔✔C
A physical therapist assistant sets up a patient to perform joint mobilizations on the proximal
radioulnar joint. How should the assistant position the elbow and forearm to place the joint in
its open-packed position?
a.
70 degrees flexion, 35 degrees supination
b.
45 degrees flexion, 20 degrees supination
c.
10 degrees flexion, 10 degrees pronation
d.
