PTA Board Exam Questions – Study Guide (Physical Therapist Assistant Practice Questions
with Answers & Exam Review)
A patient with bilateral gastrocnemius-soleus contractures tends to walk:
1. with an unstable knee.
2. with the feet in a plantar flexed position.
3. on the lateral sides of the feet.
4. with the feet in dorsiflexion. - ANS ✔✔with the feet in a plantar flexed position.
A physical therapist assistant is treating a patient post ulnar fracture who has limited forearm
supination. A common substitution to watch for when measuring forearm supination is:
1. shoulder internal rotation.
2. shoulder external rotation.
3. wrist radial deviation.
4. elbow flexion. - ANS ✔✔shoulder external rotation.
How should a physical therapist assistant perform upper extremity passive range of motion
exercises with a patient who has a recent complete spinal cord injury at C5-C6?
1. Perform motions slowly and rhythmically.
2. Perform as many repetitions of the motions as tolerated.
3. Perform all motions smoothly but rapidly, to increase the patient's awareness of the
extremity being exercised.
4. Support the extremity being exercised only minimally, to allow the patient to use any
available strength to assist in the exercise - ANS ✔✔Perform motions slowly and rhythmically.
Rationale:
, Performing slow, rhythmic motion is the best method for the patient. Slow, smooth range of
motion is needed to avoid triggering the stretch reflex, as spasticity may develop below the
level of the spinal cord lesion.
A physical therapist assistant is instructed to avoid positions or activities that will reinforce a
child's asymmetric tonic neck reflex to the right. The assistant should AVOID turning the child's
head to the right because this will result in:
1. flexion of the right arm and extension of the left arm.
2. segmental rotation of the trunk to follow the head.
3. extension of the right arm and flexion of the left arm.
4. flexion of the arms and extension of the legs. - ANS ✔✔extension of the right arm and flexion
of the left arm.
A patient with a thoracic kyphosis will have primary musculoskeletal restrictions of the:
1. middle trapezius.
2. rhomboids.
3. erector spinae.
4. pectorals. - ANS ✔✔pectorals.
Rationale: The pectorals will be shortened, which will cause restrictions in movement.
A 30-year-old patient post right knee arthroscopy is referred to physical therapy for isokinetic
exercise. Isokinetic exercise involves:
1. a constant external resistance.
2. movement at a constant velocity.
3. natural motor patterns.
4. the highest level of muscle force output. - ANS ✔✔2. movement at a constant velocity.
Rationale: Isokinetic exercise involves constant speed of movement, which is modulated by a
machine that provides variable levels of resistance.
with Answers & Exam Review)
A patient with bilateral gastrocnemius-soleus contractures tends to walk:
1. with an unstable knee.
2. with the feet in a plantar flexed position.
3. on the lateral sides of the feet.
4. with the feet in dorsiflexion. - ANS ✔✔with the feet in a plantar flexed position.
A physical therapist assistant is treating a patient post ulnar fracture who has limited forearm
supination. A common substitution to watch for when measuring forearm supination is:
1. shoulder internal rotation.
2. shoulder external rotation.
3. wrist radial deviation.
4. elbow flexion. - ANS ✔✔shoulder external rotation.
How should a physical therapist assistant perform upper extremity passive range of motion
exercises with a patient who has a recent complete spinal cord injury at C5-C6?
1. Perform motions slowly and rhythmically.
2. Perform as many repetitions of the motions as tolerated.
3. Perform all motions smoothly but rapidly, to increase the patient's awareness of the
extremity being exercised.
4. Support the extremity being exercised only minimally, to allow the patient to use any
available strength to assist in the exercise - ANS ✔✔Perform motions slowly and rhythmically.
Rationale:
, Performing slow, rhythmic motion is the best method for the patient. Slow, smooth range of
motion is needed to avoid triggering the stretch reflex, as spasticity may develop below the
level of the spinal cord lesion.
A physical therapist assistant is instructed to avoid positions or activities that will reinforce a
child's asymmetric tonic neck reflex to the right. The assistant should AVOID turning the child's
head to the right because this will result in:
1. flexion of the right arm and extension of the left arm.
2. segmental rotation of the trunk to follow the head.
3. extension of the right arm and flexion of the left arm.
4. flexion of the arms and extension of the legs. - ANS ✔✔extension of the right arm and flexion
of the left arm.
A patient with a thoracic kyphosis will have primary musculoskeletal restrictions of the:
1. middle trapezius.
2. rhomboids.
3. erector spinae.
4. pectorals. - ANS ✔✔pectorals.
Rationale: The pectorals will be shortened, which will cause restrictions in movement.
A 30-year-old patient post right knee arthroscopy is referred to physical therapy for isokinetic
exercise. Isokinetic exercise involves:
1. a constant external resistance.
2. movement at a constant velocity.
3. natural motor patterns.
4. the highest level of muscle force output. - ANS ✔✔2. movement at a constant velocity.
Rationale: Isokinetic exercise involves constant speed of movement, which is modulated by a
machine that provides variable levels of resistance.
