1|Page
PTA LICENSURE ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS TOP RATED VERSION
FOR ALREADY A GRADED HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
BY EXPERTS | NEW AND REVISED| NEW AND
REVISED
A physical therapist assistant reviews the medical record of a patient diagnosed
with lower motor neuron paralysis. What would the MOST likely presentation
include?
- Hypertonia or spasticity
- Normal nerve conduction study
- Fasciculations are absent
- Pronounced muscle atrophy - ..(ANSWER)...Pronounced muscle atrophy
A PTA designs an aerobic exercise program for a nine-year-old child. Which
statement BEST describes the heart rate and stroke volume of the child compared
to an adult?
- Increase HR and increase stroke volume
- Increase HR and decrease stroke volume
- Decreased HR and increased stroke volume
- Decreased HR and decreased stroke volume - ..(ANSWER)...Increase HR and
decrease stroke volume
A PTA has a patient attempt to perform a traditional push up as part of an upper
extremity strengthening program. After observing the patient struggle to
,2|Page
complete the push-up, the PTA decides to modify the exercise. What would the
MOST appropriate medication?
- Offer manual assistance through the pelvis and shoulders
- Perform the exercise with the knees on the ground
- Decrease the planned number of repetitions
- Select an alternate strengthening exercise - ..(ANSWER)...Perform the exercise
with the knees on the ground
A PTA reviews a case report on recently deceased patient. The case report
indicates that the patient died during the third trimester of pregnancy secondary
to a pre-existing condition. What is this scenario MOST consistent with?
- Marfan syndrome
- Addison's disease
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Osteogenesis imperfecta - ..(ANSWER)...Marfan syndrome
A PTA treats a patient in the intensive care unit with significant fluid loss. Which
objective finding is MOST likely based on the patient's current medical status?
- Dependent edema
- Distended neck veins
- Orthopnea
- Postural hypotension - ..(ANSWER)...Postural hypotension
,3|Page
A PTA reviews a physician report on a patient referred to physical therapy. In the
report it indicates the patient presents with a Dowager's hump. Which patient
description would MOST likely be based on the stated spinal deformity?
- A 16-year old female with idiopathic scoliosis
- A 62 year old male with ankylosing spondylitis
- A 66 year old female with osteoporosis
- A 57 year old male with thoracic kyphosis - ..(ANSWER)...A 66 year old female
with osteoporosis
A PTA treats a patient with a thermal agent that transfers heat using conduction.
Which modality is consistent with this scenario?
- Paraffin
- Fluidotherapy
- Infrared
- Vapocoolant spray - ..(ANSWER)...Paraffin
A PTA employed in an acute care hospital routinely works with a pediatric
population. Which of the following diagnoses would be MOST likely to have latex
allergies?
- Myelomeningocele
- Cerebral palsy
- Down syndrome
- Muscular dystrophy - ..(ANSWER)...Myelomeningocele
, 4|Page
A PTA is reviewing the medical record of a patient with metabolic syndrome.
Which risk factor is MOST prevalent with this diagnosis?
- Genetic origin
- Obesity/sedentary lifestyle
- Decreased thyroid hormone secretion
- Decreased fasting blood glucose level - ..(ANSWER)...Obesity/sedentary lifestyle
A PTA treats a patient who is post a lengthy hospital stay. Which cardiovascular
system change is the LEAST likely with prolonged bed rest?
- Decreased stroke volume
- Decreased cardiac output
- Decreased maximal heart rate
- Decreased maximal oxygen consumption - ..(ANSWER)...Decreased maximal
heart rate
A patient reports to physical therapy one week status post transtibial amputation.
Which sleeping position would be the MOST appropriate to prevent knee and hip
contracture?
- Supine with pillow placed under the knees
- Side lying on the side of the residual limb with a pillow between the legs
- Prone lying without the use of any pillows
- Side lying on the non-amputated side without a pillow between the legs -
..(ANSWER)...Prone lying without the use of any pillows
PTA LICENSURE ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS TOP RATED VERSION
FOR ALREADY A GRADED HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
BY EXPERTS | NEW AND REVISED| NEW AND
REVISED
A physical therapist assistant reviews the medical record of a patient diagnosed
with lower motor neuron paralysis. What would the MOST likely presentation
include?
- Hypertonia or spasticity
- Normal nerve conduction study
- Fasciculations are absent
- Pronounced muscle atrophy - ..(ANSWER)...Pronounced muscle atrophy
A PTA designs an aerobic exercise program for a nine-year-old child. Which
statement BEST describes the heart rate and stroke volume of the child compared
to an adult?
- Increase HR and increase stroke volume
- Increase HR and decrease stroke volume
- Decreased HR and increased stroke volume
- Decreased HR and decreased stroke volume - ..(ANSWER)...Increase HR and
decrease stroke volume
A PTA has a patient attempt to perform a traditional push up as part of an upper
extremity strengthening program. After observing the patient struggle to
,2|Page
complete the push-up, the PTA decides to modify the exercise. What would the
MOST appropriate medication?
- Offer manual assistance through the pelvis and shoulders
- Perform the exercise with the knees on the ground
- Decrease the planned number of repetitions
- Select an alternate strengthening exercise - ..(ANSWER)...Perform the exercise
with the knees on the ground
A PTA reviews a case report on recently deceased patient. The case report
indicates that the patient died during the third trimester of pregnancy secondary
to a pre-existing condition. What is this scenario MOST consistent with?
- Marfan syndrome
- Addison's disease
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Osteogenesis imperfecta - ..(ANSWER)...Marfan syndrome
A PTA treats a patient in the intensive care unit with significant fluid loss. Which
objective finding is MOST likely based on the patient's current medical status?
- Dependent edema
- Distended neck veins
- Orthopnea
- Postural hypotension - ..(ANSWER)...Postural hypotension
,3|Page
A PTA reviews a physician report on a patient referred to physical therapy. In the
report it indicates the patient presents with a Dowager's hump. Which patient
description would MOST likely be based on the stated spinal deformity?
- A 16-year old female with idiopathic scoliosis
- A 62 year old male with ankylosing spondylitis
- A 66 year old female with osteoporosis
- A 57 year old male with thoracic kyphosis - ..(ANSWER)...A 66 year old female
with osteoporosis
A PTA treats a patient with a thermal agent that transfers heat using conduction.
Which modality is consistent with this scenario?
- Paraffin
- Fluidotherapy
- Infrared
- Vapocoolant spray - ..(ANSWER)...Paraffin
A PTA employed in an acute care hospital routinely works with a pediatric
population. Which of the following diagnoses would be MOST likely to have latex
allergies?
- Myelomeningocele
- Cerebral palsy
- Down syndrome
- Muscular dystrophy - ..(ANSWER)...Myelomeningocele
, 4|Page
A PTA is reviewing the medical record of a patient with metabolic syndrome.
Which risk factor is MOST prevalent with this diagnosis?
- Genetic origin
- Obesity/sedentary lifestyle
- Decreased thyroid hormone secretion
- Decreased fasting blood glucose level - ..(ANSWER)...Obesity/sedentary lifestyle
A PTA treats a patient who is post a lengthy hospital stay. Which cardiovascular
system change is the LEAST likely with prolonged bed rest?
- Decreased stroke volume
- Decreased cardiac output
- Decreased maximal heart rate
- Decreased maximal oxygen consumption - ..(ANSWER)...Decreased maximal
heart rate
A patient reports to physical therapy one week status post transtibial amputation.
Which sleeping position would be the MOST appropriate to prevent knee and hip
contracture?
- Supine with pillow placed under the knees
- Side lying on the side of the residual limb with a pillow between the legs
- Prone lying without the use of any pillows
- Side lying on the non-amputated side without a pillow between the legs -
..(ANSWER)...Prone lying without the use of any pillows
