PTA 1010 –EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS.
A physical therapist assistant instructs a patient post thoracic surgery how to produce an
effective cough. Which position would be the MOST appropriate to initiate treatment?
Sitting
A physical therapist assistant focuses on increasing range of motion through stretching and
the use of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques. The patient is
performing an isotonic contraction of the hamstrings against resistance followed by passive
stretching of the hamstrings by the assistant. Which of the following PNF techniques is
being used on this patient?
1. Alternating isometrics
2. Resisted progression
3. Agonistic reversal
4. Contract-relax
Contract-relax
While performing gait analysis on a patient, a physical therapist assistant observes a
posterior trunk lean during heel strike (initial contact) to foot flat (loading response).
Which of the following interventions would be the MOST appropriate to address the
observed gait pattern?
1. Strengthening exercises for the quadriceps
2. Strengthening exercises for the gluteus maximus
3. Stretching exercises for the hip extensors
4. Stretching exercises for the hip internal rotators
Strengthening exercises for the gluteus maximus
,A patient post CVA scores 39/56 on the Berg Balance Scale prior to discharge home from a
rehabilitation facility. The physical therapist assistant should be able to make which of the
following conclusions from the results of the assessment?
The patient is at significant risk for multiple or recurrent falls
A physical therapist assistant uses a subjective pain scale to assess pain intensity that
consists of a 10 cm line with each end anchored by one extreme of perceived pain intensity.
The patient is asked to mark on the line the point that best describes their present pain
level. Which pain scale is being used here?
Visual Analogue Scale
A physical therapist assistant works with a patient diagnosed with Duchenne muscular
dystrophy less than one year ago. Assuming a normal progression, which of the following
findings should the assistant expect to occur FIRST?
Proximal muscle weakness
A patient recently diagnosed with anemia asks the physical therapist assistant what effect
this condition will have on their ability to participate in an exercise program. Which of the
following responses is the MOST appropriate for the assistant to give to the patient?
You may have a tendency to become fatigued
A physical therapist assistant working with a pediatric population suspects a patient's
allergic reaction to latex is associated with their medical condition. Which of the following
medical diagnoses would be the MOST likely to have latex allergies?
Myelomeningocele
A patient informs a physical therapist assistant how frustrated they feel after being
examined by their physician, reporting that they become so nervous that they cannot ask
any questions during scheduled office visits. Which of the following responses is the MOST
appropriate if the desired outcome is for the patient to be a more active participant?
Suggest that the patient write down questions for the physician and bring them to the next
scheduled visit
, Which of the following components of balance would be MOST impacted by a patient
using the suspensory strategy to control their balance?
1. Line of gravity
2. Center of mass
3. Base of support
4. Limits of stability
Center of mass
A patient diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis exhibits a forward stooped posture. Which
upper extremity proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pattern should the
physical therapist assistant BEST utilize in order to achieve the goal of improving this
patient's posture?
D2 flexion
A physical therapist assistant attempts to examine a wound with full-thickness skin loss
that is obscured by eschar. Which pressure injury stage is BEST depicted by this scenario?
Unstageable
Which of the following objective findings would MOST severely limit a patient who has
peripheral arterial disease from participating in an ambulation exercise program?
1. Signs of resting claudication
2. Decreased peripheral pulses
3. Cool skin upon palpation
4. Blood pressure of 165/90 mm Hg
Signs of resting claudication
A physical therapist assistant assesses a pressure injury and identifies the presence of
tunneling. With which pressure injury stage is this observation MOST likely to be
identified?
Stage 3 and 4
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS.
A physical therapist assistant instructs a patient post thoracic surgery how to produce an
effective cough. Which position would be the MOST appropriate to initiate treatment?
Sitting
A physical therapist assistant focuses on increasing range of motion through stretching and
the use of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques. The patient is
performing an isotonic contraction of the hamstrings against resistance followed by passive
stretching of the hamstrings by the assistant. Which of the following PNF techniques is
being used on this patient?
1. Alternating isometrics
2. Resisted progression
3. Agonistic reversal
4. Contract-relax
Contract-relax
While performing gait analysis on a patient, a physical therapist assistant observes a
posterior trunk lean during heel strike (initial contact) to foot flat (loading response).
Which of the following interventions would be the MOST appropriate to address the
observed gait pattern?
1. Strengthening exercises for the quadriceps
2. Strengthening exercises for the gluteus maximus
3. Stretching exercises for the hip extensors
4. Stretching exercises for the hip internal rotators
Strengthening exercises for the gluteus maximus
,A patient post CVA scores 39/56 on the Berg Balance Scale prior to discharge home from a
rehabilitation facility. The physical therapist assistant should be able to make which of the
following conclusions from the results of the assessment?
The patient is at significant risk for multiple or recurrent falls
A physical therapist assistant uses a subjective pain scale to assess pain intensity that
consists of a 10 cm line with each end anchored by one extreme of perceived pain intensity.
The patient is asked to mark on the line the point that best describes their present pain
level. Which pain scale is being used here?
Visual Analogue Scale
A physical therapist assistant works with a patient diagnosed with Duchenne muscular
dystrophy less than one year ago. Assuming a normal progression, which of the following
findings should the assistant expect to occur FIRST?
Proximal muscle weakness
A patient recently diagnosed with anemia asks the physical therapist assistant what effect
this condition will have on their ability to participate in an exercise program. Which of the
following responses is the MOST appropriate for the assistant to give to the patient?
You may have a tendency to become fatigued
A physical therapist assistant working with a pediatric population suspects a patient's
allergic reaction to latex is associated with their medical condition. Which of the following
medical diagnoses would be the MOST likely to have latex allergies?
Myelomeningocele
A patient informs a physical therapist assistant how frustrated they feel after being
examined by their physician, reporting that they become so nervous that they cannot ask
any questions during scheduled office visits. Which of the following responses is the MOST
appropriate if the desired outcome is for the patient to be a more active participant?
Suggest that the patient write down questions for the physician and bring them to the next
scheduled visit
, Which of the following components of balance would be MOST impacted by a patient
using the suspensory strategy to control their balance?
1. Line of gravity
2. Center of mass
3. Base of support
4. Limits of stability
Center of mass
A patient diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis exhibits a forward stooped posture. Which
upper extremity proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pattern should the
physical therapist assistant BEST utilize in order to achieve the goal of improving this
patient's posture?
D2 flexion
A physical therapist assistant attempts to examine a wound with full-thickness skin loss
that is obscured by eschar. Which pressure injury stage is BEST depicted by this scenario?
Unstageable
Which of the following objective findings would MOST severely limit a patient who has
peripheral arterial disease from participating in an ambulation exercise program?
1. Signs of resting claudication
2. Decreased peripheral pulses
3. Cool skin upon palpation
4. Blood pressure of 165/90 mm Hg
Signs of resting claudication
A physical therapist assistant assesses a pressure injury and identifies the presence of
tunneling. With which pressure injury stage is this observation MOST likely to be
identified?
Stage 3 and 4
