PTA Board Exam Review Questions and
Answers
What artery is most commonly used to assess pulse in infants? - answer Brachial artery
How long is the treatment time for an ice massage? - answer 5-10 minutes
What produces the GREATEST amount of cold therapy? - answer ice massage
What is the primary purpose of arterial lines? - answer the measure blood pressure
If you wanted to take arterial blood gas analysis of a patient, what line would you take it from? - answer
arterial line
What kind of transducer will produce the most collimated beam? - answer A LARGE transducer with a HIGH
frequency
What hormones produce changes in ligament laxity during pregnancy? - answer relaxin and progesterone
A hypertrophic scar is described as.. - answer a raised scar within the borders
A keloid scar is described as... - answer scar that goes beyond the borders
A diuretic is an... - answer anti-hypertensive medication
What do diuretics do? - answer 1. Act on renal tubule and alter absorption of sodium, affecting water
retention
2. Help to eliminate salt + water from the kidneys, decreasing fluid volume and lower BP
3. Cause vasodilation
Delayed primary intention is the same term to describe.. - answer Tertiary intention
Calcium channel blockers do what...? - answer decrease calcium entry into cardiac cells
LMN diseases... - answer Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
UMN diseases... - answer CVA, CP, MS
When a patient has lumbar stenosis you want to do what kind of exercises? - answer flexion
When a patient has spondylolisthesis, what kind of exercises do you want to do? - answer extension
What aspect of the WC are you measuring by measuring from the seat of the chair to the floor of the axilla
then subtracting 4 inches? - answer back height
What aspect of the WC are you measuring by measuring from the buttocks along lateral thigh to the popliteal
fold, then subtracting 2 in? - answer seat depth
What aspect of the WC are you measuring by measuring from the widest part of the butt, hips and thigh and
then adding 2 inches? - answer seat width
What aspect of the WC are you measuring by measuring from the heel to the popliteal fold then adding 2
,inches? - answer seat height
A lumbar puncture should be done at what level? - answer BELOW L1/2
AT L3/4 or L4/5
Hot packs should be stored in hot water at what temperature? - answer 158 - 167 degree F
Laxity to the coracohumeral ligament contributes to what kind of stability of the GH joint? - answer
anteroinferior; the superior aspect of the GH capsule
Rupture of this ligament creates instability and allows for subluxation of the long head of the biceps tendon -
answer transverse humeral ligament
Tidal volume accounts for what percent of total volume? - answer 10%
What percent of tidal volume reaches the respiratory units and is available for gas exchange? - answer 70%
What is the normal tidal volume in an adult? in a child? - answer 100 ml
20 ml
An MCL ligament sprain that has mild pain and swelling with little to no damage of the ligament fibers (no
discernable laxity) is classified as.. - answer a Grade I sprain
An MCL ligament sprain with severe pain and discernable laxity is classified as - answer Grade III sprain
Lidocaine for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and is used for what? - answer positive and
used for pain
Acetic acid for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what? - answer negative and
used for calcium deposits and myositis ossificans
Iodine for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what? - answer negative and used for
scars and adhesive capsulitis
Dexamethasone for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what? - answer negative
and used for inflammation
Copper sulfate for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what? - answer positive and
used for fungal infections
Zinc oxide for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what? - answer positive and
used for healing, dermal ulcers, and wounds
Magnesium sulfate for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what? - answer positive
and used for muscle spasms and ischemia
Calcium chloride for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what - answer negative
and used for scar tissue, keloid scars, and muscle spasms
Salicylates for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what? - answer negative and
used for plantar warts and muscle/joint pain
Central cord syndrome most often occurs from what kind of injury? - answer hyperextension of the cervical
region
What region of motor deficits are more pronounced with the central cord syndrome? - answer distal upper
extremity
, ABI is calculated as... - answer Highest Systolic of LE / Highest Systolic of UE
What kind of walker is more appropriate for central cord syndrome? - answer rolling platform walker
What is contraindicated in regards of treatment for DVTs? - answer Intermittent claudication
Asymmetrical tonic neck time frame..? - answer birth to 4-6 months
Galant reflex time frame..? - answer 30 weeks gestation to 2 months
Plantar grasp time frame? - answer 28 weeks gestation to 9 months
Startle reflex time frame..? - answer birth to 5 months
Moro reflex time frame..? - answer 28 weeks gestation to 5 months
Landau reflex time frame..? - answer 3 months to 2 years
What are primary reasons to implement pursed lip breathing into a treatment regimen? - answer decrease
respiratory rate and dypsnea
to improve arterial oxygenation
to improve control of breathing
increases TV - maintains open airways
note: expiratory phase > inspiratory phase
Pressure ulcer with a change in skin color, temperature, stiffness or sensation is categorized as what? -
answer Stage 1 Pressure ulcer
A pressure ulcer with partial thickness skin loss of epidermis or dermis with blisters, abrasions, and a
shallow crater is characterized as what? - answer Stage II Pressure ulcer
A pressure ulcer with full thickness skin loss extending to fascia with a deep crater and may have necrosis is
characterized as what? - answer Stage III Pressure ulcer
A pressure ulcer with full thickness skin loss extending to the muscle, bone or other supporting structures
with significant necrosis is characterized as what? - answer Stage IV Pressure ulcer
A pressure ulcer with eschar is characterized as what? - answer Unstageable
How should a traction harness be applied to a patient when preparing for treatment? - answer directly over
the patients skin with the patient in standing
Preventing a target condition in a susceptible/potentially susceptible population is called..? - answer Primary
prevention
Decreasing the duration of an illness, severity of disease, or number of sequale through early diagnosis and
prompt intervention (can be reversible) is called..? - answer Secondary prevention
Limiting the degree of disability and promoting rehabilitation and restoration of function in patients with
chronic and irreversible conditions is called..? - answer Tertiary prevention
What is the most appropriate intervention to prevent atelectasis? - answer Prolonged and sustained max
inspiration
What are primary reasons to implement prolonged and sustained max inspiration to a regimen? - answer
Answers
What artery is most commonly used to assess pulse in infants? - answer Brachial artery
How long is the treatment time for an ice massage? - answer 5-10 minutes
What produces the GREATEST amount of cold therapy? - answer ice massage
What is the primary purpose of arterial lines? - answer the measure blood pressure
If you wanted to take arterial blood gas analysis of a patient, what line would you take it from? - answer
arterial line
What kind of transducer will produce the most collimated beam? - answer A LARGE transducer with a HIGH
frequency
What hormones produce changes in ligament laxity during pregnancy? - answer relaxin and progesterone
A hypertrophic scar is described as.. - answer a raised scar within the borders
A keloid scar is described as... - answer scar that goes beyond the borders
A diuretic is an... - answer anti-hypertensive medication
What do diuretics do? - answer 1. Act on renal tubule and alter absorption of sodium, affecting water
retention
2. Help to eliminate salt + water from the kidneys, decreasing fluid volume and lower BP
3. Cause vasodilation
Delayed primary intention is the same term to describe.. - answer Tertiary intention
Calcium channel blockers do what...? - answer decrease calcium entry into cardiac cells
LMN diseases... - answer Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
UMN diseases... - answer CVA, CP, MS
When a patient has lumbar stenosis you want to do what kind of exercises? - answer flexion
When a patient has spondylolisthesis, what kind of exercises do you want to do? - answer extension
What aspect of the WC are you measuring by measuring from the seat of the chair to the floor of the axilla
then subtracting 4 inches? - answer back height
What aspect of the WC are you measuring by measuring from the buttocks along lateral thigh to the popliteal
fold, then subtracting 2 in? - answer seat depth
What aspect of the WC are you measuring by measuring from the widest part of the butt, hips and thigh and
then adding 2 inches? - answer seat width
What aspect of the WC are you measuring by measuring from the heel to the popliteal fold then adding 2
,inches? - answer seat height
A lumbar puncture should be done at what level? - answer BELOW L1/2
AT L3/4 or L4/5
Hot packs should be stored in hot water at what temperature? - answer 158 - 167 degree F
Laxity to the coracohumeral ligament contributes to what kind of stability of the GH joint? - answer
anteroinferior; the superior aspect of the GH capsule
Rupture of this ligament creates instability and allows for subluxation of the long head of the biceps tendon -
answer transverse humeral ligament
Tidal volume accounts for what percent of total volume? - answer 10%
What percent of tidal volume reaches the respiratory units and is available for gas exchange? - answer 70%
What is the normal tidal volume in an adult? in a child? - answer 100 ml
20 ml
An MCL ligament sprain that has mild pain and swelling with little to no damage of the ligament fibers (no
discernable laxity) is classified as.. - answer a Grade I sprain
An MCL ligament sprain with severe pain and discernable laxity is classified as - answer Grade III sprain
Lidocaine for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and is used for what? - answer positive and
used for pain
Acetic acid for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what? - answer negative and
used for calcium deposits and myositis ossificans
Iodine for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what? - answer negative and used for
scars and adhesive capsulitis
Dexamethasone for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what? - answer negative
and used for inflammation
Copper sulfate for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what? - answer positive and
used for fungal infections
Zinc oxide for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what? - answer positive and
used for healing, dermal ulcers, and wounds
Magnesium sulfate for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what? - answer positive
and used for muscle spasms and ischemia
Calcium chloride for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what - answer negative
and used for scar tissue, keloid scars, and muscle spasms
Salicylates for iontophoresis is considered negative or positive and used for what? - answer negative and
used for plantar warts and muscle/joint pain
Central cord syndrome most often occurs from what kind of injury? - answer hyperextension of the cervical
region
What region of motor deficits are more pronounced with the central cord syndrome? - answer distal upper
extremity
, ABI is calculated as... - answer Highest Systolic of LE / Highest Systolic of UE
What kind of walker is more appropriate for central cord syndrome? - answer rolling platform walker
What is contraindicated in regards of treatment for DVTs? - answer Intermittent claudication
Asymmetrical tonic neck time frame..? - answer birth to 4-6 months
Galant reflex time frame..? - answer 30 weeks gestation to 2 months
Plantar grasp time frame? - answer 28 weeks gestation to 9 months
Startle reflex time frame..? - answer birth to 5 months
Moro reflex time frame..? - answer 28 weeks gestation to 5 months
Landau reflex time frame..? - answer 3 months to 2 years
What are primary reasons to implement pursed lip breathing into a treatment regimen? - answer decrease
respiratory rate and dypsnea
to improve arterial oxygenation
to improve control of breathing
increases TV - maintains open airways
note: expiratory phase > inspiratory phase
Pressure ulcer with a change in skin color, temperature, stiffness or sensation is categorized as what? -
answer Stage 1 Pressure ulcer
A pressure ulcer with partial thickness skin loss of epidermis or dermis with blisters, abrasions, and a
shallow crater is characterized as what? - answer Stage II Pressure ulcer
A pressure ulcer with full thickness skin loss extending to fascia with a deep crater and may have necrosis is
characterized as what? - answer Stage III Pressure ulcer
A pressure ulcer with full thickness skin loss extending to the muscle, bone or other supporting structures
with significant necrosis is characterized as what? - answer Stage IV Pressure ulcer
A pressure ulcer with eschar is characterized as what? - answer Unstageable
How should a traction harness be applied to a patient when preparing for treatment? - answer directly over
the patients skin with the patient in standing
Preventing a target condition in a susceptible/potentially susceptible population is called..? - answer Primary
prevention
Decreasing the duration of an illness, severity of disease, or number of sequale through early diagnosis and
prompt intervention (can be reversible) is called..? - answer Secondary prevention
Limiting the degree of disability and promoting rehabilitation and restoration of function in patients with
chronic and irreversible conditions is called..? - answer Tertiary prevention
What is the most appropriate intervention to prevent atelectasis? - answer Prolonged and sustained max
inspiration
What are primary reasons to implement prolonged and sustained max inspiration to a regimen? - answer
