PTA BOARD EXAM NEWEST 2026/2027 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
pounding headache and blurred vision while completing an exercise program in
supine on a mat table. The patient is sweating profusely and has a pulse rate of 50
beats per minute. The MOST immediate physical therapist assistant response is:
1. maintain the patient in a supine position and monitor blood pressure
2. place the patient in an upright position and check the catheter
3. document the subjective and objective information in the medical record
4. contact the nursing staff to discuss the patient's condition 2. Place the
patient in an upright position and check the catheter.
A physical therapist assistant employed in an out-patient physical therapy clinic
notices that a patient referred to a group exercise program for osteoarthritis has
been slow to engage in group activities and often seems disinterested. Which
action would be the MOST immediate to increase the patient's level of
participation?
1. continue to encourage the patient to participate
2. develop a reward program for the patient based on his level of participation
3. discuss the purpose of the program and the potential consequences of not
participating with the patient
4. consult with the patient's referring physician 3. discuss the purpose of the
program and the potential consequences of not participating with the patient
,Which finding would most likely require physician consultation when treating a
patient diagnosed with osteoarthritis currently taking a nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory agent?
1. morning stiffness and pain
2. increased soreness with increased activity
3. fluctuating pain levels correlated with weather changes
4. newly occurring stomach pain 4. Newly occurring stomach pain
(Reports of newly occurring stomach pain should be taken seriously with
subsequent referral to a physician. The other options are typical symptoms of
osteoarthritis, and although relevant, would not typically require physician
consultation.)
A physical therapist assistant completing documentation at a workstation
observes a patient enter the gym and begin to use the weight machines. When
approached by the physical therapist assistant, the patient indicates he is 10
minutes early for a scheduled appointment, however states that he often begins
exercising before formal contact with a therapist. The MOST appropriate action is:
1. monitor the patient while he initiates the exercise program
2. ask the patient to return to the waiting area
3. review the patient's medical record
4. allow the patient to exercise independently 2. ask the patient to return to
the waiting area
A patient performing ambulation activities suddenly begins to demonstrate signs
of weakness including shaking of the legs and impaired balance. When asked
about her status, the patient reports she cannot continue walking. The MOST
appropriate physical therapist assistant action is:
,1. call for assistance
2. provide verbal encouragement
3. walk the patient to a chair
4. slowly lower the patient to the floor 4. Slowly lower the patient to the
floor
A physical therapist assistant performs a special test on a 45-year-old male
diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome by asking the patient to maximally flex his
wrists and hold the position by pushing the wrists together for 60 seconds. Which
finding would be MOST indicative of a positive test?
1. pain in an area innervated by the ulnar nerve
2. pain in an area innervated by the median nerve
3. tingling into the thumb, index finger, middle, and lateral half of the ring finger
4. tingling into the palmar aspect of the hand 3. Tingling into the thumb,
index finger, middle, and lateral half of the ring finger.
A physical therapist assistant works on balance reeducation activities with a
patient diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. Which of the
following activities would be the MOST challenging for this patient?
1. activities in single-leg stance
2. reaching in and out of the base of support in standing
3. standing on foam with eyes closed
4. lateral weight shifting 3. Standing on foam with eyes closed
A physical therapist assistant works with a patient three days status post total hip
arthroplasty. When inspecting the patient's hip the physical therapist assistant
notes that it is extremely warm to the touch and is red when compared to the
, surrounding skin. The incision appears to be healing, however there is a moderate
amount of drainage and several edges appear to be raised and discolored. The
MOST appropriate action is:
1. disregard the findings based on the patient's postoperative status
2. ask the patient if he recently had a fever
3. reassess the patient at the next scheduled session
4. consult with the referring physician4. Consult with the referring physician
A physical therapist assistant utilizes a cycle ergometer with a patient
rehabilitating from a minor stroke. The established physical therapy goal relates
to improving the patient's strength. The patient has progressed to 30 minutes,
three times a week at a workload equivalent to 30% of their maximum oxygen
consumption. The MOST appropriate modification is:
1. increase the intensity of the exercise
2. increase the frequency of the exercise
3. increase the duration of the exercise
4. discontinue the exercise 1. Increase the intensity of the exercise
A physical therapist assistant reviews a patient's medical record that contains the
results of testing using the Glasgow Coma Scale. The medical diagnosis MOST
likely to utilize this instrument is:
1. trigeminal neuralgia
2. cerebrovascular accident
3. traumatic brain injury
4. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 3. TBI
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
pounding headache and blurred vision while completing an exercise program in
supine on a mat table. The patient is sweating profusely and has a pulse rate of 50
beats per minute. The MOST immediate physical therapist assistant response is:
1. maintain the patient in a supine position and monitor blood pressure
2. place the patient in an upright position and check the catheter
3. document the subjective and objective information in the medical record
4. contact the nursing staff to discuss the patient's condition 2. Place the
patient in an upright position and check the catheter.
A physical therapist assistant employed in an out-patient physical therapy clinic
notices that a patient referred to a group exercise program for osteoarthritis has
been slow to engage in group activities and often seems disinterested. Which
action would be the MOST immediate to increase the patient's level of
participation?
1. continue to encourage the patient to participate
2. develop a reward program for the patient based on his level of participation
3. discuss the purpose of the program and the potential consequences of not
participating with the patient
4. consult with the patient's referring physician 3. discuss the purpose of the
program and the potential consequences of not participating with the patient
,Which finding would most likely require physician consultation when treating a
patient diagnosed with osteoarthritis currently taking a nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory agent?
1. morning stiffness and pain
2. increased soreness with increased activity
3. fluctuating pain levels correlated with weather changes
4. newly occurring stomach pain 4. Newly occurring stomach pain
(Reports of newly occurring stomach pain should be taken seriously with
subsequent referral to a physician. The other options are typical symptoms of
osteoarthritis, and although relevant, would not typically require physician
consultation.)
A physical therapist assistant completing documentation at a workstation
observes a patient enter the gym and begin to use the weight machines. When
approached by the physical therapist assistant, the patient indicates he is 10
minutes early for a scheduled appointment, however states that he often begins
exercising before formal contact with a therapist. The MOST appropriate action is:
1. monitor the patient while he initiates the exercise program
2. ask the patient to return to the waiting area
3. review the patient's medical record
4. allow the patient to exercise independently 2. ask the patient to return to
the waiting area
A patient performing ambulation activities suddenly begins to demonstrate signs
of weakness including shaking of the legs and impaired balance. When asked
about her status, the patient reports she cannot continue walking. The MOST
appropriate physical therapist assistant action is:
,1. call for assistance
2. provide verbal encouragement
3. walk the patient to a chair
4. slowly lower the patient to the floor 4. Slowly lower the patient to the
floor
A physical therapist assistant performs a special test on a 45-year-old male
diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome by asking the patient to maximally flex his
wrists and hold the position by pushing the wrists together for 60 seconds. Which
finding would be MOST indicative of a positive test?
1. pain in an area innervated by the ulnar nerve
2. pain in an area innervated by the median nerve
3. tingling into the thumb, index finger, middle, and lateral half of the ring finger
4. tingling into the palmar aspect of the hand 3. Tingling into the thumb,
index finger, middle, and lateral half of the ring finger.
A physical therapist assistant works on balance reeducation activities with a
patient diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. Which of the
following activities would be the MOST challenging for this patient?
1. activities in single-leg stance
2. reaching in and out of the base of support in standing
3. standing on foam with eyes closed
4. lateral weight shifting 3. Standing on foam with eyes closed
A physical therapist assistant works with a patient three days status post total hip
arthroplasty. When inspecting the patient's hip the physical therapist assistant
notes that it is extremely warm to the touch and is red when compared to the
, surrounding skin. The incision appears to be healing, however there is a moderate
amount of drainage and several edges appear to be raised and discolored. The
MOST appropriate action is:
1. disregard the findings based on the patient's postoperative status
2. ask the patient if he recently had a fever
3. reassess the patient at the next scheduled session
4. consult with the referring physician4. Consult with the referring physician
A physical therapist assistant utilizes a cycle ergometer with a patient
rehabilitating from a minor stroke. The established physical therapy goal relates
to improving the patient's strength. The patient has progressed to 30 minutes,
three times a week at a workload equivalent to 30% of their maximum oxygen
consumption. The MOST appropriate modification is:
1. increase the intensity of the exercise
2. increase the frequency of the exercise
3. increase the duration of the exercise
4. discontinue the exercise 1. Increase the intensity of the exercise
A physical therapist assistant reviews a patient's medical record that contains the
results of testing using the Glasgow Coma Scale. The medical diagnosis MOST
likely to utilize this instrument is:
1. trigeminal neuralgia
2. cerebrovascular accident
3. traumatic brain injury
4. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 3. TBI
