PTA BOARDS PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
A physical therapist assistant monitors the blood pressure response
to exercise of a 52-year-old male on a stationary bicycle. The
physical therapist assistant notes a relatively linear increase in
systolic blood pressure with increasing exercise intensity. The
change in the patient's systolic blood pressure with exercise is BEST
explained by:
1. increased cardiac output
2 decreased peripheral resistance
3. Increased oxygen saturation
4. decreased myocardial oxygen consumption --CORRECT ANSWER--1. increased cardiac
output
pg. 736
A 64-year-old female patient is admitted to the hospital with a stage
3 decubitus ulcer over her right ischial tuberosity. The patient's
past medical history includes severe chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. The MOST appropriate position for the patient is:
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,1. supine with pillows under the knees
2. prone with pillows under the knees
3. left side lying with pillows between the knees
4. right side lying with pillows between the knees --CORRECT ANSWER--3. left side lying
with pillows between the knees
pg. 736
A physical therapist assistant performs a manual muscle test on a
patient's shoulder medial rotators. Which muscle would NOT be
involved in this specific test?
1. pectoralis major
2. teres major
3. latissimus dorsi
4. teres minor --CORRECT ANSWER--4. teres minor
pg. 737
A patient with a unilateral transfemoral prosthesis places the
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,prosthetic foot either medially or laterally during the initial contact
(heel strike) phase of gait. The patient reports it is difficult to control
where they place their foot. What exercise is the MOST appropriate
to improve the control of the prosthesis?
1. standing on the prosthesis and tapping the contralateral foot on a step
2. side stepping to the side of the prosthesis with a resistance
band
3. controlled tapping of the prosthesis at the point of heel strike while standing
4. repeated sit to stand transfers from a normal height chair --CORRECT ANSWER--3.
controlled tapping of the prosthesis at the point of heel strike while standing
pg. 737
A physical therapist assistant performs goniometric measurements for elbow flexion with a
patient in supine. In order to isolate elbox flexion the physical therapist assistant should
stabilize:
1. distal end of the humerus
2. proximal end of the humerus
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, 3. distal end of the ulna
4. proximal end of the radius --CORRECT ANSWER--1. distal end of the humerus
A patient with a suspected scaphoid fracture is referred to physical
therapy. Which clinical sign is MOST indicative of a scaphoid fracture?
1. localized edema along the dorsum of the hand
2. crepitus with active range of motion
3. localized bony tenderness in the anatomic snuff box
4. pain with resisted wrist extension --CORRECT ANSWER--3. localized bony tenderness in
the anatomic snuff box
pg. 735
A patient's job requires him to move boxes weighing 35 pounds
from a transport cart to an elevated conveyor belt. The patient can
complete the activity, however, is unable to prevent hyperextension
of the spine. The MOST appropriate action is to:
1. implement a pelvic stabilization program
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WITH CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
A physical therapist assistant monitors the blood pressure response
to exercise of a 52-year-old male on a stationary bicycle. The
physical therapist assistant notes a relatively linear increase in
systolic blood pressure with increasing exercise intensity. The
change in the patient's systolic blood pressure with exercise is BEST
explained by:
1. increased cardiac output
2 decreased peripheral resistance
3. Increased oxygen saturation
4. decreased myocardial oxygen consumption --CORRECT ANSWER--1. increased cardiac
output
pg. 736
A 64-year-old female patient is admitted to the hospital with a stage
3 decubitus ulcer over her right ischial tuberosity. The patient's
past medical history includes severe chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. The MOST appropriate position for the patient is:
Page 1 of 254
,1. supine with pillows under the knees
2. prone with pillows under the knees
3. left side lying with pillows between the knees
4. right side lying with pillows between the knees --CORRECT ANSWER--3. left side lying
with pillows between the knees
pg. 736
A physical therapist assistant performs a manual muscle test on a
patient's shoulder medial rotators. Which muscle would NOT be
involved in this specific test?
1. pectoralis major
2. teres major
3. latissimus dorsi
4. teres minor --CORRECT ANSWER--4. teres minor
pg. 737
A patient with a unilateral transfemoral prosthesis places the
Page 2 of 254
,prosthetic foot either medially or laterally during the initial contact
(heel strike) phase of gait. The patient reports it is difficult to control
where they place their foot. What exercise is the MOST appropriate
to improve the control of the prosthesis?
1. standing on the prosthesis and tapping the contralateral foot on a step
2. side stepping to the side of the prosthesis with a resistance
band
3. controlled tapping of the prosthesis at the point of heel strike while standing
4. repeated sit to stand transfers from a normal height chair --CORRECT ANSWER--3.
controlled tapping of the prosthesis at the point of heel strike while standing
pg. 737
A physical therapist assistant performs goniometric measurements for elbow flexion with a
patient in supine. In order to isolate elbox flexion the physical therapist assistant should
stabilize:
1. distal end of the humerus
2. proximal end of the humerus
Page 3 of 254
, 3. distal end of the ulna
4. proximal end of the radius --CORRECT ANSWER--1. distal end of the humerus
A patient with a suspected scaphoid fracture is referred to physical
therapy. Which clinical sign is MOST indicative of a scaphoid fracture?
1. localized edema along the dorsum of the hand
2. crepitus with active range of motion
3. localized bony tenderness in the anatomic snuff box
4. pain with resisted wrist extension --CORRECT ANSWER--3. localized bony tenderness in
the anatomic snuff box
pg. 735
A patient's job requires him to move boxes weighing 35 pounds
from a transport cart to an elevated conveyor belt. The patient can
complete the activity, however, is unable to prevent hyperextension
of the spine. The MOST appropriate action is to:
1. implement a pelvic stabilization program
Page 4 of 254
