Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) Practice Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2025 Q&A | Instant
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1. Which muscle is the primary plantar flexor of the ankle?
A. Tibialis anterior
B. Peroneus tertius
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Tibialis posterior
The gastrocnemius is the strongest contributor to ankle plantar flexion.
2. A positive Lachman test indicates injury to which structure?
A. PCL
B. ACL
C. MCL
D. LCL
The Lachman test is the most sensitive test for ACL rupture.
3. Which vitamin is essential for calcium absorption?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin E
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin K
Vitamin D facilitates intestinal absorption of calcium.
4. Which therapeutic modality primarily uses sound waves for deep tissue
heating?
A. Electrical stimulation
B. Cryotherapy
C. Ultrasound
D. Diathermy
Ultrasound uses acoustic waves to heat tissues up to 5 cm deep.
5. Deceleration injuries in sport commonly cause which shoulder pathology?
,A. Bankart lesion
B. SLAP tear
C. Rotator cuff tendinopathy
D. AC joint sprain
Repeated deceleration stresses overload the rotator cuff musculature.
6. Which motion occurs primarily at the talocrural joint?
A. Inversion/eversion
B. Plantar flexion/dorsiflexion
C. Pronation/supination
D. Circumduction
The ankle hinge joint controls dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.
7. The primary function of the menisci is to:
A. Stabilize ligaments
B. Strengthen the quadriceps
C. Absorb shock and distribute load
D. Prevent patellar dislocation
Menisci reduce joint stress by dispersing compressive forces.
8. An athlete reports numbness in the 4th and 5th fingers. Which nerve is
most likely affected?
A. Median nerve
B. Radial nerve
C. Ulnar nerve
D. Axillary nerve
The ulnar nerve supplies sensation to the medial hand and fingers.
9. Which heat-related illness is life-threatening?
A. Heat syncope
B. Heat cramps
C. Heat exhaustion
D. Heat stroke
Heat stroke features CNS dysfunction and requires immediate EMS activation.
10. A positive Thompson test indicates injury to the:
A. Tibialis anterior
B. Peroneal tendons
, C. Plantar fascia
D. Achilles tendon
Lack of plantar flexion during the calf squeeze signifies Achilles rupture.
11–20
11. Which energy system supports high-intensity activity lasting 10–20
seconds?
A. Oxidative
B. ATP-PC system
C. Glycolytic (anaerobic)
D. Lactate threshold
The phosphagen system fuels short, explosive effort.
12. What is the normal respiration rate for an adult athlete at rest?
A. 5–10
B. 12–20
C. 25–40
D. 40–60
Normal resting range is 12–20 breaths per minute.
13. A common sign of compartment syndrome is:
A. Skin discoloration
B. Joint stiffness
C. Severe pain with passive stretch
D. Muscle twitching
Passive stretching increases intracompartmental pressure and pain.
14. Which muscle group stabilizes the scapula during overhead lifting?
A. Biceps brachii
B. Serratus anterior
C. Deltoid
D. Trapezius (upper fibers)
Serratus anterior is crucial for scapular upward rotation and stabilization.
15. Which ligament limits valgus stress at the knee?
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2025 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which muscle is the primary plantar flexor of the ankle?
A. Tibialis anterior
B. Peroneus tertius
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Tibialis posterior
The gastrocnemius is the strongest contributor to ankle plantar flexion.
2. A positive Lachman test indicates injury to which structure?
A. PCL
B. ACL
C. MCL
D. LCL
The Lachman test is the most sensitive test for ACL rupture.
3. Which vitamin is essential for calcium absorption?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin E
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin K
Vitamin D facilitates intestinal absorption of calcium.
4. Which therapeutic modality primarily uses sound waves for deep tissue
heating?
A. Electrical stimulation
B. Cryotherapy
C. Ultrasound
D. Diathermy
Ultrasound uses acoustic waves to heat tissues up to 5 cm deep.
5. Deceleration injuries in sport commonly cause which shoulder pathology?
,A. Bankart lesion
B. SLAP tear
C. Rotator cuff tendinopathy
D. AC joint sprain
Repeated deceleration stresses overload the rotator cuff musculature.
6. Which motion occurs primarily at the talocrural joint?
A. Inversion/eversion
B. Plantar flexion/dorsiflexion
C. Pronation/supination
D. Circumduction
The ankle hinge joint controls dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.
7. The primary function of the menisci is to:
A. Stabilize ligaments
B. Strengthen the quadriceps
C. Absorb shock and distribute load
D. Prevent patellar dislocation
Menisci reduce joint stress by dispersing compressive forces.
8. An athlete reports numbness in the 4th and 5th fingers. Which nerve is
most likely affected?
A. Median nerve
B. Radial nerve
C. Ulnar nerve
D. Axillary nerve
The ulnar nerve supplies sensation to the medial hand and fingers.
9. Which heat-related illness is life-threatening?
A. Heat syncope
B. Heat cramps
C. Heat exhaustion
D. Heat stroke
Heat stroke features CNS dysfunction and requires immediate EMS activation.
10. A positive Thompson test indicates injury to the:
A. Tibialis anterior
B. Peroneal tendons
, C. Plantar fascia
D. Achilles tendon
Lack of plantar flexion during the calf squeeze signifies Achilles rupture.
11–20
11. Which energy system supports high-intensity activity lasting 10–20
seconds?
A. Oxidative
B. ATP-PC system
C. Glycolytic (anaerobic)
D. Lactate threshold
The phosphagen system fuels short, explosive effort.
12. What is the normal respiration rate for an adult athlete at rest?
A. 5–10
B. 12–20
C. 25–40
D. 40–60
Normal resting range is 12–20 breaths per minute.
13. A common sign of compartment syndrome is:
A. Skin discoloration
B. Joint stiffness
C. Severe pain with passive stretch
D. Muscle twitching
Passive stretching increases intracompartmental pressure and pain.
14. Which muscle group stabilizes the scapula during overhead lifting?
A. Biceps brachii
B. Serratus anterior
C. Deltoid
D. Trapezius (upper fibers)
Serratus anterior is crucial for scapular upward rotation and stabilization.
15. Which ligament limits valgus stress at the knee?
