Physical Therapist Examination
Assessment Tool (PEAT) Retired
Exam Study Guide 2026/2027
Description: A comprehensive set of 200 multiple-choice questions designed to mirror
the style, content, and difficulty of the retired PEAT exam. This revision tool covers
musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular/pulmonary, integumentary, and
other systems across the lifespan, including examination, evaluation, diagnosis,
prognosis, intervention, and outcomes.
Keywords: PEAT, NPTE, Physical Therapist, Retired Exam, Practice Questions,
Musculoskeletal, Neuromuscular, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Integumentary, Geriatrics,
Pediatrics, Acute Care, Orthopedics, Neurological Rehabilitation, Modalities, Therapeutic
Exercise, Gait, Balance, Outcome Measures.
1. A 68-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
referred for pulmonary rehabilitation. Which of the following outcome measures is
MOST appropriate to assess functional exercise capacity?
A. Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion
B. Six-Minute Walk Test ✅
C. Manual Muscle Testing
D. Goniometry
,2. During gait training, a patient demonstrates excessive lateral trunk lean toward the
stance limb. This is MOST commonly associated with:
A. Hip abductor weakness on the stance limb ✅
B. Hip adductor spasticity on the swing limb
C. Knee flexion contracture on the swing limb
D. Ankle dorsiflexion weakness on the stance limb
3. A physical therapist is performing manual muscle testing on a patient with
suspected L5 radiculopathy. Which myotome is MOST appropriate to test?
A. Hip flexion
B. Knee extension
C. Great toe extension ✅
D. Ankle dorsiflexion
4. A patient with total knee arthroplasty is in the acute postoperative phase. Which
intervention is MOST appropriate on postoperative day 1?
A. High-intensity plyometrics
B. Passive range of motion beyond 120 degrees
C. Ankle pumps and quadriceps setting ✅
D. Resistive cycling at high resistance
,5. A 12-month-old child is unable to pull to stand or cruise. Which developmental
milestone is MOST likely delayed?
A. Gross motor
B. Fine motor
C. Language
D. Social
Correct Answer: A ✅
6. A patient presents with unilateral facial droop, arm drift, and slurred speech. The
therapist should FIRST:
A. Begin gait training
B. Activate emergency medical services ✅
C. Perform cervical traction
D. Administer aspirin
7. Which special test is MOST appropriate to assess for anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL) integrity?
A. McMurray test
B. Lachman test ✅
C. Thomas test
D. Ober test
, 8. A patient with heart failure reports dyspnea at rest. Which vital sign parameter
indicates the therapist should hold intervention?
A. Heart rate 72 bpm
B. Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate 32 breaths/min ✅
D. SpO2 96% on room air
9. A patient with Parkinson's disease demonstrates festinating gait. Which cueing
strategy is MOST effective?
A. Verbal cue to "take big steps"
B. Metronome or auditory cueing ✅
C. Visual cue to look down
D. Manual resistance to pelvis
10. Which modality is CONTRAINDICATED over the eyes?
A. Ultrasound
B. Shortwave diathermy
C. Infrared lamp
D. Microwave diathermy ✅
11. A patient with below-knee amputation is being fitted for a prosthesis. Which
outcome measure is MOST appropriate to assess balance?
Assessment Tool (PEAT) Retired
Exam Study Guide 2026/2027
Description: A comprehensive set of 200 multiple-choice questions designed to mirror
the style, content, and difficulty of the retired PEAT exam. This revision tool covers
musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular/pulmonary, integumentary, and
other systems across the lifespan, including examination, evaluation, diagnosis,
prognosis, intervention, and outcomes.
Keywords: PEAT, NPTE, Physical Therapist, Retired Exam, Practice Questions,
Musculoskeletal, Neuromuscular, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Integumentary, Geriatrics,
Pediatrics, Acute Care, Orthopedics, Neurological Rehabilitation, Modalities, Therapeutic
Exercise, Gait, Balance, Outcome Measures.
1. A 68-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
referred for pulmonary rehabilitation. Which of the following outcome measures is
MOST appropriate to assess functional exercise capacity?
A. Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion
B. Six-Minute Walk Test ✅
C. Manual Muscle Testing
D. Goniometry
,2. During gait training, a patient demonstrates excessive lateral trunk lean toward the
stance limb. This is MOST commonly associated with:
A. Hip abductor weakness on the stance limb ✅
B. Hip adductor spasticity on the swing limb
C. Knee flexion contracture on the swing limb
D. Ankle dorsiflexion weakness on the stance limb
3. A physical therapist is performing manual muscle testing on a patient with
suspected L5 radiculopathy. Which myotome is MOST appropriate to test?
A. Hip flexion
B. Knee extension
C. Great toe extension ✅
D. Ankle dorsiflexion
4. A patient with total knee arthroplasty is in the acute postoperative phase. Which
intervention is MOST appropriate on postoperative day 1?
A. High-intensity plyometrics
B. Passive range of motion beyond 120 degrees
C. Ankle pumps and quadriceps setting ✅
D. Resistive cycling at high resistance
,5. A 12-month-old child is unable to pull to stand or cruise. Which developmental
milestone is MOST likely delayed?
A. Gross motor
B. Fine motor
C. Language
D. Social
Correct Answer: A ✅
6. A patient presents with unilateral facial droop, arm drift, and slurred speech. The
therapist should FIRST:
A. Begin gait training
B. Activate emergency medical services ✅
C. Perform cervical traction
D. Administer aspirin
7. Which special test is MOST appropriate to assess for anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL) integrity?
A. McMurray test
B. Lachman test ✅
C. Thomas test
D. Ober test
, 8. A patient with heart failure reports dyspnea at rest. Which vital sign parameter
indicates the therapist should hold intervention?
A. Heart rate 72 bpm
B. Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate 32 breaths/min ✅
D. SpO2 96% on room air
9. A patient with Parkinson's disease demonstrates festinating gait. Which cueing
strategy is MOST effective?
A. Verbal cue to "take big steps"
B. Metronome or auditory cueing ✅
C. Visual cue to look down
D. Manual resistance to pelvis
10. Which modality is CONTRAINDICATED over the eyes?
A. Ultrasound
B. Shortwave diathermy
C. Infrared lamp
D. Microwave diathermy ✅
11. A patient with below-knee amputation is being fitted for a prosthesis. Which
outcome measure is MOST appropriate to assess balance?
