Physical Therapist Examination
Assessment Tool (PEAT) Retired
Questions Study Guide 2026/2027
Description: This study guide compiles 200 multiple-choice questions modeled after
retired PEAT (Practice Exam and Assessment Tool) forms for the National Physical
Therapy Examination (NPTE). The questions cover high-yield content areas including
musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular/pulmonary, integumentary, and non-
systems practice domains.
Keywords: PEAT, NPTE, Physical Therapy, Retired Exam Questions, Musculoskeletal,
Neuromuscular, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Integumentary, Clinical Reasoning, Licensure
Examination, Study Guide
Section 1: Musculoskeletal System
Q1. A patient is 12 weeks post talus fracture and reports catching her toe during gait
since removal of the boot cast. Evaluation reveals limited ankle dorsiflexion. The physical
therapy plan should FIRST emphasize:
A) Strengthening the gastrocnemius
B) Mobilization of the talocrural joint ✅
C) Fitting for an ankle-foot orthosis
D) Stretching the tibialis anterior
Q2. A patient sustained a displaced fracture to the right lateral epicondyle resulting in
wrist drop. Injury to which structure should be suspected?
,A) Ulnar nerve
B) Median nerve
C) Radial nerve ✅
D) Brachial plexus
Q3. A patient with a left thoracolumbar scoliosis has symmetrical pelvic landmarks.
Which muscle will MOST likely be tight?
A) Right quadratus lumborum ✅
B) Left latissimus dorsi
C) Right hip abductors
D) Left iliocostalis lumborum
Q4. Which position of the humerus is BEST for application of ultrasound to the
supraspinatus tendon insertion?
A) Flexion and lateral rotation
B) Extension and medial rotation ✅
C) Abduction and lateral rotation
D) Flexion and medial rotation
Q5. A patient has diabetes with peripheral neuropathy. The shoe on the involved side
shows scuffing and wear on the outside of the toe box. Which gait deviation is MOST
likely contributing?
A) Circumduction
B) Excessive toe off
C) Decreased dorsiflexion ✅
D) Increased stance phase
Q6. A patient is unable to take adequate nutrients by mouth due to radiation therapy
side effects. What type of tube is MOST commonly used for short-term feeding?
,A) Endotracheal
B) Nasogastric ✅
C) Endobronchial
D) Tracheostomy
Q7. A physical therapist attempts to palpate the lunate by moving the finger
immediately distal to Lister's tubercle. Which wrist motion facilitates palpation of the
lunate?
A) Extension
B) Flexion ✅
C) Radial deviation
D) Ulnar deviation
Q8. A 35-year-old female has a markedly high platelet count. This finding is typical with:
A) Emphysema
B) Renal failure
C) Malignancy ✅
D) Metabolic acidosis
Q9. A physician instructs a 26-year-old male to utilize a knee derotation brace for all
athletic activities. Which condition MOST warrants this brace?
A) Medial meniscus repair
B) ACL reconstruction
C) ACL insufficiency ✅
D) Posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Q10. A patient with a C4-C5 herniated disc reports periodic dizziness. Which action
should the physical therapist perform INITIALLY?
A) Perform cervical traction
B) Ask questions about precipitating factors for dizziness ✅
, C) Apply heat to the cervical spine
D) Begin cervical strengthening
Q11. During dorsiflexion of the ankle, the talus moves in which direction relative to the
tibia?
A) Anterior glide
B) Posterior glide ✅
C) Lateral glide
D) Medial glide
Q12. A patient is unable to perform a straight leg raise. Which muscle is MOST likely
limiting this motion?
A) Gluteus maximus
B) Hamstrings ✅
C) Iliopsoas
D) Rectus femoris
Q13. Which structure is MOST commonly injured with an anterior shoulder dislocation?
A) Posterior capsule
B) Anterior glenoid labrum ✅
C) Coracoacromial ligament
D) Supraspinatus tendon
Q14. A patient has a hammer toe deformity. Which joint is MOST affected?
A) Metatarsophalangeal joint
B) Proximal interphalangeal joint ✅
C) Distal interphalangeal joint
D) Subtalar joint
Assessment Tool (PEAT) Retired
Questions Study Guide 2026/2027
Description: This study guide compiles 200 multiple-choice questions modeled after
retired PEAT (Practice Exam and Assessment Tool) forms for the National Physical
Therapy Examination (NPTE). The questions cover high-yield content areas including
musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular/pulmonary, integumentary, and non-
systems practice domains.
Keywords: PEAT, NPTE, Physical Therapy, Retired Exam Questions, Musculoskeletal,
Neuromuscular, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Integumentary, Clinical Reasoning, Licensure
Examination, Study Guide
Section 1: Musculoskeletal System
Q1. A patient is 12 weeks post talus fracture and reports catching her toe during gait
since removal of the boot cast. Evaluation reveals limited ankle dorsiflexion. The physical
therapy plan should FIRST emphasize:
A) Strengthening the gastrocnemius
B) Mobilization of the talocrural joint ✅
C) Fitting for an ankle-foot orthosis
D) Stretching the tibialis anterior
Q2. A patient sustained a displaced fracture to the right lateral epicondyle resulting in
wrist drop. Injury to which structure should be suspected?
,A) Ulnar nerve
B) Median nerve
C) Radial nerve ✅
D) Brachial plexus
Q3. A patient with a left thoracolumbar scoliosis has symmetrical pelvic landmarks.
Which muscle will MOST likely be tight?
A) Right quadratus lumborum ✅
B) Left latissimus dorsi
C) Right hip abductors
D) Left iliocostalis lumborum
Q4. Which position of the humerus is BEST for application of ultrasound to the
supraspinatus tendon insertion?
A) Flexion and lateral rotation
B) Extension and medial rotation ✅
C) Abduction and lateral rotation
D) Flexion and medial rotation
Q5. A patient has diabetes with peripheral neuropathy. The shoe on the involved side
shows scuffing and wear on the outside of the toe box. Which gait deviation is MOST
likely contributing?
A) Circumduction
B) Excessive toe off
C) Decreased dorsiflexion ✅
D) Increased stance phase
Q6. A patient is unable to take adequate nutrients by mouth due to radiation therapy
side effects. What type of tube is MOST commonly used for short-term feeding?
,A) Endotracheal
B) Nasogastric ✅
C) Endobronchial
D) Tracheostomy
Q7. A physical therapist attempts to palpate the lunate by moving the finger
immediately distal to Lister's tubercle. Which wrist motion facilitates palpation of the
lunate?
A) Extension
B) Flexion ✅
C) Radial deviation
D) Ulnar deviation
Q8. A 35-year-old female has a markedly high platelet count. This finding is typical with:
A) Emphysema
B) Renal failure
C) Malignancy ✅
D) Metabolic acidosis
Q9. A physician instructs a 26-year-old male to utilize a knee derotation brace for all
athletic activities. Which condition MOST warrants this brace?
A) Medial meniscus repair
B) ACL reconstruction
C) ACL insufficiency ✅
D) Posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Q10. A patient with a C4-C5 herniated disc reports periodic dizziness. Which action
should the physical therapist perform INITIALLY?
A) Perform cervical traction
B) Ask questions about precipitating factors for dizziness ✅
, C) Apply heat to the cervical spine
D) Begin cervical strengthening
Q11. During dorsiflexion of the ankle, the talus moves in which direction relative to the
tibia?
A) Anterior glide
B) Posterior glide ✅
C) Lateral glide
D) Medial glide
Q12. A patient is unable to perform a straight leg raise. Which muscle is MOST likely
limiting this motion?
A) Gluteus maximus
B) Hamstrings ✅
C) Iliopsoas
D) Rectus femoris
Q13. Which structure is MOST commonly injured with an anterior shoulder dislocation?
A) Posterior capsule
B) Anterior glenoid labrum ✅
C) Coracoacromial ligament
D) Supraspinatus tendon
Q14. A patient has a hammer toe deformity. Which joint is MOST affected?
A) Metatarsophalangeal joint
B) Proximal interphalangeal joint ✅
C) Distal interphalangeal joint
D) Subtalar joint
