PTA Licensure Exam (Latest Update
) Questions & Answers
with Rationales| 100% Correct |
Grade
A physical therapist assistant reviews the medical record
of a patient diagnosed with lower motor neuron
paralysis. What would the MOST likely presentation
include?
- Hypertonia or spasticity
- Normal nerve conduction study
- Fasciculations are absent
- Pronounced muscle atrophy - answer-Pronounced
muscle atrophy
A PTA designs an aerobic exercise program for a nine-
year-old child. Which statement BEST describes the
heart rate and stroke volume of the child compared to an
adult?
- Increase HR and increase stroke volume
- Increase HR and decrease stroke volume
- Decreased HR and increased stroke volume
- Decreased HR and decreased stroke volume - answer-
Increase HR and decrease stroke volume
A PTA has a patient attempt to perform a traditional
push up as part of an upper extremity strengthening
,program. After observing the patient struggle to
complete the push-up, the PTA decides to modify the
exercise. What would the MOST appropriate
medication?
- Offer manual assistance through the pelvis and
shoulders
- Perform the exercise with the knees on the ground
- Decrease the planned number of repetitions
- Select an alternate strengthening exercise - answer-
Perform the exercise with the knees on the ground
A PTA reviews a case report on recently deceased
patient. The case report indicates that the patient died
during the third trimester of pregnancy secondary to a
pre-existing condition. What is this scenario MOST
consistent with?
- Marfan syndrome
- Addison's disease
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Osteogenesis imperfecta - answer-Marfan syndrome
A PTA treats a patient in the intensive care unit with
significant fluid loss. Which objective finding is MOST
likely based on the patient's current medical status?
- Dependent edema
- Distended neck veins
- Orthopnea
- Postural hypotension - answer-Postural hypotension
A PTA reviews a physician report on a patient referred
to physical therapy. In the report it indicates the patient
presents with a Dowager's hump. Which patient
,description would MOST likely be based on the stated
spinal deformity?
- A 16-year old female with idiopathic scoliosis
- A 62 year old male with ankylosing spondylitis
- A 66 year old female with osteoporosis
- A 57 year old male with thoracic kyphosis - answer-A
66 year old female with osteoporosis
A PTA treats a patient with a thermal agent that
transfers heat using conduction. Which modality is
consistent with this scenario?
- Paraffin
- Fluidotherapy
- Infrared
- Vapocoolant spray - answer-Paraffin
A PTA employed in an acute care hospital routinely
works with a pediatric population. Which of the following
diagnoses would be MOST likely to have latex allergies?
- Myelomeningocele
- Cerebral palsy
- Down syndrome
- Muscular dystrophy - answer-Myelomeningocele
A PTA is reviewing the medical record of a patient with
metabolic syndrome. Which risk factor is MOST
prevalent with this diagnosis?
- Genetic origin
- Obesity/sedentary lifestyle
- Decreased thyroid hormone secretion
- Decreased fasting blood glucose level - answer-
Obesity/sedentary lifestyle
, A PTA treats a patient who is post a lengthy hospital
stay. Which cardiovascular system change is the LEAST
likely with prolonged bed rest?
- Decreased stroke volume
- Decreased cardiac output
- Decreased maximal heart rate
- Decreased maximal oxygen consumption - answer-
Decreased maximal heart rate
A patient reports to physical therapy one week status
post transtibial amputation. Which sleeping position
would be the MOST appropriate to prevent knee and hip
contracture?
- Supine with pillow placed under the knees
- Side lying on the side of the residual limb with a pillow
between the legs
- Prone lying without the use of any pillows
- Side lying on the non-amputated side without a pillow
between the legs - answer-Prone lying without the use
of any pillows
A patient reports to physical therapy with a referral for a
TENS unit. The patient is 42 year old male with a
lengthy history of back pain. During the physical therapy
session the patient asks if he can use the TENS unit
while driving his car. What is the MOST appropriate
assistant response?
- TENS can be used while driving, but be alert since the
device will tend to mask pain
- TENS can be used while driving, but limit driving to
maximum of one hour per day
- Avoid using TENS during driving since it will delay your
reaction times
) Questions & Answers
with Rationales| 100% Correct |
Grade
A physical therapist assistant reviews the medical record
of a patient diagnosed with lower motor neuron
paralysis. What would the MOST likely presentation
include?
- Hypertonia or spasticity
- Normal nerve conduction study
- Fasciculations are absent
- Pronounced muscle atrophy - answer-Pronounced
muscle atrophy
A PTA designs an aerobic exercise program for a nine-
year-old child. Which statement BEST describes the
heart rate and stroke volume of the child compared to an
adult?
- Increase HR and increase stroke volume
- Increase HR and decrease stroke volume
- Decreased HR and increased stroke volume
- Decreased HR and decreased stroke volume - answer-
Increase HR and decrease stroke volume
A PTA has a patient attempt to perform a traditional
push up as part of an upper extremity strengthening
,program. After observing the patient struggle to
complete the push-up, the PTA decides to modify the
exercise. What would the MOST appropriate
medication?
- Offer manual assistance through the pelvis and
shoulders
- Perform the exercise with the knees on the ground
- Decrease the planned number of repetitions
- Select an alternate strengthening exercise - answer-
Perform the exercise with the knees on the ground
A PTA reviews a case report on recently deceased
patient. The case report indicates that the patient died
during the third trimester of pregnancy secondary to a
pre-existing condition. What is this scenario MOST
consistent with?
- Marfan syndrome
- Addison's disease
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Osteogenesis imperfecta - answer-Marfan syndrome
A PTA treats a patient in the intensive care unit with
significant fluid loss. Which objective finding is MOST
likely based on the patient's current medical status?
- Dependent edema
- Distended neck veins
- Orthopnea
- Postural hypotension - answer-Postural hypotension
A PTA reviews a physician report on a patient referred
to physical therapy. In the report it indicates the patient
presents with a Dowager's hump. Which patient
,description would MOST likely be based on the stated
spinal deformity?
- A 16-year old female with idiopathic scoliosis
- A 62 year old male with ankylosing spondylitis
- A 66 year old female with osteoporosis
- A 57 year old male with thoracic kyphosis - answer-A
66 year old female with osteoporosis
A PTA treats a patient with a thermal agent that
transfers heat using conduction. Which modality is
consistent with this scenario?
- Paraffin
- Fluidotherapy
- Infrared
- Vapocoolant spray - answer-Paraffin
A PTA employed in an acute care hospital routinely
works with a pediatric population. Which of the following
diagnoses would be MOST likely to have latex allergies?
- Myelomeningocele
- Cerebral palsy
- Down syndrome
- Muscular dystrophy - answer-Myelomeningocele
A PTA is reviewing the medical record of a patient with
metabolic syndrome. Which risk factor is MOST
prevalent with this diagnosis?
- Genetic origin
- Obesity/sedentary lifestyle
- Decreased thyroid hormone secretion
- Decreased fasting blood glucose level - answer-
Obesity/sedentary lifestyle
, A PTA treats a patient who is post a lengthy hospital
stay. Which cardiovascular system change is the LEAST
likely with prolonged bed rest?
- Decreased stroke volume
- Decreased cardiac output
- Decreased maximal heart rate
- Decreased maximal oxygen consumption - answer-
Decreased maximal heart rate
A patient reports to physical therapy one week status
post transtibial amputation. Which sleeping position
would be the MOST appropriate to prevent knee and hip
contracture?
- Supine with pillow placed under the knees
- Side lying on the side of the residual limb with a pillow
between the legs
- Prone lying without the use of any pillows
- Side lying on the non-amputated side without a pillow
between the legs - answer-Prone lying without the use
of any pillows
A patient reports to physical therapy with a referral for a
TENS unit. The patient is 42 year old male with a
lengthy history of back pain. During the physical therapy
session the patient asks if he can use the TENS unit
while driving his car. What is the MOST appropriate
assistant response?
- TENS can be used while driving, but be alert since the
device will tend to mask pain
- TENS can be used while driving, but limit driving to
maximum of one hour per day
- Avoid using TENS during driving since it will delay your
reaction times
