PTA Board Exam Practice Questions: Comprehensive NPTE Review

PTA BOARD EXAM NEWEST 2025/2026 LATEST ACTUAL
EXAM WITH 400+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+ / PHYSICAL THERAPIST
ASSISTANT ACTUAL EXAM (BRAND NEW)



A 24-year-old male rehabilitating from a T2 spinal cord injury complains of a
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pounding headache and blurred vision while completing an exercise program in
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supine on a mat table. The patient is sweating profusely and has a pulse rate of 50
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beats per minute. The MOST immediate physical therapist assistant response is:
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1. maintain the patient in a supine position and monitor blood pressure
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2. place the patient in an upright position and check the catheter
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3. document the subjective and objective information in the medical record
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4. contact the nursing staff to discuss the patient's condition
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patient in an upright position and check the catheter.
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A physical therapist assistant employed in an out-patient physical therapy clinic
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notices that a patient referred to a group exercise program for osteoarthritis has
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been slow to engage in group activities and often seems disinterested. Which
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action would be the MOST immediate to increase the patient's level of
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participation?
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1. continue to encourage the patient to participate
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2. develop a reward program for the patient based on his level of participation
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3. discuss the purpose of the program and the potential consequences of not
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participating with the patient
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4. consult with the patient's referring physician 3. discuss the purpose of the
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program and the potential consequences of not participating with the
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patient
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,Which finding would most likely require physician consultation when treating a
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patient diagnosed with osteoarthritis currently taking a nonsteroidal anti-
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inflammatory agent?
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1. morning stiffness and pain M M M




2. increased soreness with increased activity M M M M




3. fluctuating pain levels correlated with weather changes
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4. newly occurring stomach pain
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(Reports of newly occurring stomach pain should be taken seriously with
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Msubsequent referral to a physician. The other options are typical symptoms of
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Mosteoarthritis, and although relevant, would not typically require physician
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Mconsultation.)


A physical therapist assistant completing documentation at a workstation
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observes a patient enter the gym and begin to use the weight machines. When
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approached by the physical therapist assistant, the patient indicates he is 10
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minutes early for a scheduled appointment, however states that he often begins
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exercising before formal contact with a therapist. The MOST appropriate action is:
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1. monitor the patient while he initiates the exercise program
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2. ask the patient to return to the waiting area
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3. review the patient's medical record
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4. allow the patient to exercise independently
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the waiting area
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A patient performing ambulation activities suddenly begins to demonstrate signs
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of weakness including shaking of the legs and impaired balance. When asked
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about her status, the patient reports she cannot continue walking. The MOST
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appropriate physical therapist assistant action is:
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,1. call for assistance
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2. provide verbal encouragement M M




3. walk the patient to a chair
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4. slowly lower the patient to the floor
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floor
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A physical therapist assistant performs a special test on a 45-year-old male
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diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome by asking the patient to maximally flex his
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wrists and hold the position by pushing the wrists together for 60 seconds. Which
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finding would be MOST indicative of a positive test?
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1. pain in an area innervated by the ulnar nerve
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2. pain in an area innervated by the median nerve
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3. tingling into the thumb, index finger, middle, and lateral half of the ring finger
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4. tingling into the palmar aspect of the hand
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index finger, middle, and lateral half of the ring finger.
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A physical therapist assistant works on balance reeducation activities with a
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patient diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. Which of the
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following activities would be the MOST challenging for this patient?
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1. activities in single-leg stance M M M




2. reaching in and out of the base of support in standing
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3. standing on foam with eyes closedM M M M M




4. lateral weight shifting 3. Standing on foam with eyes closed
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A physical therapist assistant works with a patient three days status post total hip
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arthroplasty. When inspecting the patient's hip the physical therapist assistant
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notes that it is extremely warm to the touch and is red when compared to the
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, surrounding skin. The incision appears to be healing, however there is a moderate
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amount of drainage and several edges appear to be raised and discolored. The
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MOST appropriate action is:
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1. disregard the findings based on the patient's postoperative status
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2. ask the patient if he recently had a fever
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3. reassess the patient at the next scheduled session
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4. consult with the referring physician4. Consult with the referring physician
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A physical therapist assistant utilizes a cycle ergometer with a patient
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rehabilitating from a minor stroke. The established physical therapy goal relates
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to improving the patient's strength. The patient has progressed to 30 minutes,
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three times a week at a workload equivalent to 30% of their maximum oxygen
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consumption. The MOST appropriate modification is:
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1. increase the intensity of the exercise
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2. increase the frequency of the exercise
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3. increase the duration of the exercise
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4. discontinue the exercise M M 1. Increase the intensity of the exercise
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A physical therapist assistant reviews a patient's medical record that contains the
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results of testing using the Glasgow Coma Scale. The medical diagnosis MOST
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likely to utilize this instrument is:
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1. trigeminal neuralgia M




2. cerebrovascular accident M




3. traumatic brain injury M M




4. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 3. TBI M M M M