PTA Practice Exam – Physical Therapist Assistant Study Guide (Comprehensive Review,
Practice Questions & Answers)
A physical therapist assistant is treating an elder adult for general strengthening. The patient
also has been diagnosed with low bone density and possible osteoporosis. The physical
therapist assistant should avoid placing the patient in which position during treatment?
1) Prone
2) Sidelying
3) Sitting
4) Supine - ANS ✔✔Prone- In patients with osteoporosis or low bone density, it is
recommended to avoid prone positioning, as this places undue stress along the spine. The
A 63-year-old male patient presents with complaints of burning bilateral leg pain and cramping.
The pain improves with rest and worsens with leg elevation and walking more than 10 minutes
at a time. His symptoms do not change with trunk or pelvis movement. Which of the following
examination findings is the clinician MOST likely to observe during his physical examination?
1) 2+ dorsal pedal pulse bilaterally
2) Ankle-brachial index (ABI) of 0.80
3) Ankle-brachial index (ABI) of 1.1
4) Positive Homan's sign - ANS ✔✔Ankle-brachial index (ABI) of 0.80- An ABI of 0.75-0.94 is
indicative of mild arterial disease and intermittent claudication.
A physical therapist assistant is treating a patient status post recent traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Upon evaluation, the patient demonstrates hypertonicity. When observing function, sitting is
quite difficult. This patient's plan of care and goals focus on muscle tone first, then working on
stability, and lastly mobility. The clinician is employing which theory in this case?
1) Brunnstrom's Synergy Patterns
,2) Craniosacral Therapy
3) Neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT)
4) Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) - ANS ✔✔Neurodevelopmental treatment
(NDT)- Neurodevelopmental Treatment, or NDT is based on facilitation of normal postural
control while inhibiting abnormal postural control and muscle tone. The physical therapist is
tasked at directing movements so the patient can experience normal movement.
While examining a patient with lymphedema, the clinician places the patient's right upper
extremity into a water tank and measures the displacement.
1) Bioimpedance measurement
2) Girth measurement
3) Stemmer Sign
4) Volumetric measurement - ANS ✔✔Volumetric measurement- Volumetric measurement uses
anatomical landmarks and water displacement to measure the size of a limb effected by
lymphedema. Bioimpedance measurement measures the flow of lymphatic material using
electrodes placed on the upper extremities. Girth measurement compares the circumference of
the affected limb with the unaffected limb. Stemmer Sign requires the therapist to attempt to
pinch the skin of the patient's dorsal toes or fingers
A 45-year-old female patient with balance problems was referred to a physical therapist
assistant (PTA) without any experience in vestibular rehabilitation. After the initial session, the
clinician appropriately refers the patient to another PTA who has the expertise to help the
patient. The therapist is adhering to which of the following core values?
1) Accountability
2) Altruism
3) Integrity
4) Professional Duty - ANS ✔✔Integrity
,A physical therapist assistant is testing a patient for clonus. What is the MOST appropriate
action to complete this test?
1) Anterior posterior glide of the talocrural joint
2) Posterior anterior glide of the talocrural joint
3) Quick stretch to the Dorsi flexors
4) Quick stretch to the Plantar flexors - ANS ✔✔Quick stretch to the Plantar flexors- Clonus is
evaluated by the therapist providing a quick stretch to the plantar flexors.
Following an initial evaluation, the clinician educated a patient on the purpose and
requirements of a prescribed exercise. Which of the following is the NEXT stage of motor
learning?
1) Assimilation
2) Associative
3) Autonomous
4) Cognitive - ANS ✔✔Cognitive- The correct order is Cognitive, Associative, then Autonomous
A physical therapist assistant (PTA) is treating a patient to increase shoulder range of motion.
During the session, the PTA notices an abnormal enlargement along the patient's anterior neck.
The PTA reports findings to the physical therapist who suspects Graves' disease after completing
a thorough subjective history with the patient. Which of the following symptoms would the PTA
MOST likely observe while they are working with this patient?
1) Cold intolerance, fatigue
2) Heat intolerance, decreased appetite
3) Weight loss, decreased appetite
4) Weight loss, fatigue - ANS ✔✔Weight loss, fatigue- 1. Hyperthyroidism, or Graves' disease,
does present with fatigue but will present with heat intolerance, not cold intolerance. 2. The
, patient will present with heat intolerance and an increase in appetite, accompanied by an
unintentional weight loss. 3. As above, the patient will present with an increase in appetite that
is accompanied by a weight loss. 4. Both weight loss and fatigue are known symptoms of
Graves' disease.
A physical therapist assistant is working in an inpatient rehabilitation unit and is going to treat a
patient who recently suffered a stroke. The patient has known aphasia and cognitive
impairments. Which of the following strategies should the physical therapist assistant use for
communication?
1) Closed-ended questions
2) Leading questions
3) Open-ended questions
4) Reflective statements - ANS ✔✔Closed-ended questions
A physical therapist assistant is working with a patient following a recent total hip replacement.
The patient complains of shortness of breath, pleuritic pain, a cough, and has a resting heart
rate of 130 beats per minute. Which of the following conditions is MOST likely present?
1) Aortic Aneurysm
2) Myocarditis
3) Pericarditis
4) Pulmonary Embolism. - ANS ✔✔Pulmonary Embolism.-
1. Aortic Aneurysm. Incorrect. Abdominal bruits and a palpable, pulsatile abdominal mass,
would be more consistent with this condition.
2. Myocarditis. Incorrect. Fatigue, arrhythmias, chest pain, and shortness of breath would be
more consistent with this condition.
Practice Questions & Answers)
A physical therapist assistant is treating an elder adult for general strengthening. The patient
also has been diagnosed with low bone density and possible osteoporosis. The physical
therapist assistant should avoid placing the patient in which position during treatment?
1) Prone
2) Sidelying
3) Sitting
4) Supine - ANS ✔✔Prone- In patients with osteoporosis or low bone density, it is
recommended to avoid prone positioning, as this places undue stress along the spine. The
A 63-year-old male patient presents with complaints of burning bilateral leg pain and cramping.
The pain improves with rest and worsens with leg elevation and walking more than 10 minutes
at a time. His symptoms do not change with trunk or pelvis movement. Which of the following
examination findings is the clinician MOST likely to observe during his physical examination?
1) 2+ dorsal pedal pulse bilaterally
2) Ankle-brachial index (ABI) of 0.80
3) Ankle-brachial index (ABI) of 1.1
4) Positive Homan's sign - ANS ✔✔Ankle-brachial index (ABI) of 0.80- An ABI of 0.75-0.94 is
indicative of mild arterial disease and intermittent claudication.
A physical therapist assistant is treating a patient status post recent traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Upon evaluation, the patient demonstrates hypertonicity. When observing function, sitting is
quite difficult. This patient's plan of care and goals focus on muscle tone first, then working on
stability, and lastly mobility. The clinician is employing which theory in this case?
1) Brunnstrom's Synergy Patterns
,2) Craniosacral Therapy
3) Neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT)
4) Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) - ANS ✔✔Neurodevelopmental treatment
(NDT)- Neurodevelopmental Treatment, or NDT is based on facilitation of normal postural
control while inhibiting abnormal postural control and muscle tone. The physical therapist is
tasked at directing movements so the patient can experience normal movement.
While examining a patient with lymphedema, the clinician places the patient's right upper
extremity into a water tank and measures the displacement.
1) Bioimpedance measurement
2) Girth measurement
3) Stemmer Sign
4) Volumetric measurement - ANS ✔✔Volumetric measurement- Volumetric measurement uses
anatomical landmarks and water displacement to measure the size of a limb effected by
lymphedema. Bioimpedance measurement measures the flow of lymphatic material using
electrodes placed on the upper extremities. Girth measurement compares the circumference of
the affected limb with the unaffected limb. Stemmer Sign requires the therapist to attempt to
pinch the skin of the patient's dorsal toes or fingers
A 45-year-old female patient with balance problems was referred to a physical therapist
assistant (PTA) without any experience in vestibular rehabilitation. After the initial session, the
clinician appropriately refers the patient to another PTA who has the expertise to help the
patient. The therapist is adhering to which of the following core values?
1) Accountability
2) Altruism
3) Integrity
4) Professional Duty - ANS ✔✔Integrity
,A physical therapist assistant is testing a patient for clonus. What is the MOST appropriate
action to complete this test?
1) Anterior posterior glide of the talocrural joint
2) Posterior anterior glide of the talocrural joint
3) Quick stretch to the Dorsi flexors
4) Quick stretch to the Plantar flexors - ANS ✔✔Quick stretch to the Plantar flexors- Clonus is
evaluated by the therapist providing a quick stretch to the plantar flexors.
Following an initial evaluation, the clinician educated a patient on the purpose and
requirements of a prescribed exercise. Which of the following is the NEXT stage of motor
learning?
1) Assimilation
2) Associative
3) Autonomous
4) Cognitive - ANS ✔✔Cognitive- The correct order is Cognitive, Associative, then Autonomous
A physical therapist assistant (PTA) is treating a patient to increase shoulder range of motion.
During the session, the PTA notices an abnormal enlargement along the patient's anterior neck.
The PTA reports findings to the physical therapist who suspects Graves' disease after completing
a thorough subjective history with the patient. Which of the following symptoms would the PTA
MOST likely observe while they are working with this patient?
1) Cold intolerance, fatigue
2) Heat intolerance, decreased appetite
3) Weight loss, decreased appetite
4) Weight loss, fatigue - ANS ✔✔Weight loss, fatigue- 1. Hyperthyroidism, or Graves' disease,
does present with fatigue but will present with heat intolerance, not cold intolerance. 2. The
, patient will present with heat intolerance and an increase in appetite, accompanied by an
unintentional weight loss. 3. As above, the patient will present with an increase in appetite that
is accompanied by a weight loss. 4. Both weight loss and fatigue are known symptoms of
Graves' disease.
A physical therapist assistant is working in an inpatient rehabilitation unit and is going to treat a
patient who recently suffered a stroke. The patient has known aphasia and cognitive
impairments. Which of the following strategies should the physical therapist assistant use for
communication?
1) Closed-ended questions
2) Leading questions
3) Open-ended questions
4) Reflective statements - ANS ✔✔Closed-ended questions
A physical therapist assistant is working with a patient following a recent total hip replacement.
The patient complains of shortness of breath, pleuritic pain, a cough, and has a resting heart
rate of 130 beats per minute. Which of the following conditions is MOST likely present?
1) Aortic Aneurysm
2) Myocarditis
3) Pericarditis
4) Pulmonary Embolism. - ANS ✔✔Pulmonary Embolism.-
1. Aortic Aneurysm. Incorrect. Abdominal bruits and a palpable, pulsatile abdominal mass,
would be more consistent with this condition.
2. Myocarditis. Incorrect. Fatigue, arrhythmias, chest pain, and shortness of breath would be
more consistent with this condition.
