NPTE-PTA practice exam
Free NPTE-PTA practice exam
A 38-year-old office worker presents with neck pain radiating to the lateral forearm and thumb. The pain worsens with prolonged typing and turning the head to the same side. Spurling’s test is positive. These findings are MOST consistent with which condition?
A patient with a chronic autoimmune disorder that impacts the small joints of the hand is currently in a non-flare state and wants to begin resistance training. What is the MOST appropriate guideline?
A 68-year-old patient with right-side hemiparesis post-stroke is hesitant to use the affected upper limb during daily tasks. What is the best strategy to promote limb use?
A patient with an anterior cord syndrome presents with bilateral loss of motor function and sensation below the level of the lesion, but retains proprioception and vibration sense. What is the primary cause of the motor and sensory loss in this condition?
A distance runner complains of deep aching in the anterior leg during exertion, relieved by rest, with no sensory loss. What is the most likely diagnosis?
During a dressing change, the PTA observes the wound bed shown. Which tissue type is MOST likely present?
A patient with a recent total knee arthroplasty is experiencing difficulty with knee extension during the stance phase of gait. What is the most likely reason for this dysfunction?
A patient with traumatic brain injury demonstrates the posture shown while standing. Which abnormal muscle tone pattern is MOST likely illustrated?
The figure shows the spirometry curves of three patients. Which curve shows an obstructive pattern?
The patient reports lateral elbow pain near the epicondyle during resisted effort. What condition is MOST consistent with a positive finding?
Which patient presentation is the MOST appropriate indication for using this intervention?
A PTA is treating a patient in outpatient physical therapy. Observation shows the inferior angle of the scapula rotated medially and the acromion lowered. Which intervention within the PT's plan of care is MOST likely to help realign the scapula?
A 10-month-old infant with suspected motor delay is referred for a developmental assessment. Which pediatric outcome measure is best for evaluating gross motor milestones in infants up to independent walking?
What psychological condition may present with cyclic moods, including episodes of mania and depression?
All of the following are side effects of Acetaminophen except:
The PTA observes a patient during single-leg stance, as shown. Her pelvis stays level. Which muscle is MOST responsible for keeping the pelvis level in this position?
A patient with a history of smoking presents with chronic cough, wheezing, and dyspnea. Spirometry shows an FEV1/FVC ratio below 70% (confirming an obstructive pattern) and an FEV1 of 58% of predicted. According to the GOLD guidelines, what stage of COPD is this patient most likely in?
A patient presents with muscle atrophy, decreased tone, and hyporeflexia in the right lower extremity. What type of lesion is suspected?
Which of the following instructions should be given to a patient using a short-acting bronchodilator prior to chest percussion?
A 52-year-old patient with adhesive capsulitis presents with significant shoulder stiffness and pain. Which modality would best assist in improving tissue extensibility before joint mobilizations?
To better isolate the gluteus medius and reduce substitution during sidelying hip abduction MMT, which is the MOST appropriate immediate correction?
A PTA is treating a patient in the outpatient clinic when the patient suddenly loses consciousness and begins generalized tonic-clonic movements consistent with a seizure. Which action is MOST appropriate for the PTA to take?
A PTA is working with a 6-year-old child with autism spectrum disorder in an outpatient pediatric clinic under the PT's plan of care. Which gross motor skill is the child MOST likely to find difficult?
During gait training, a patient reports increasing shortness of breath, begins using accessory muscles to breathe, and is unable to speak in full sentences. What is the MOST appropriate response from the PTA?
A PTA is ambulating a patient recovering from a total hip replacement in the hospital corridor using a gait belt when the patient's leg buckles and the patient falls to the floor. The PTA finds the patient conscious, alert, and reporting new sharp pain in the operated hip with no obvious bleeding. What should the PTA do FIRST?
A PTA is working with a patient with a known history of Graves' disease (hyperthyroidism) during an outpatient therapeutic exercise session. The patient suddenly becomes confused, reports feeling hot, and is found to have a heart rate of 150 bpm and a fever. What is the FIRST action the PTA should take?
A patient with a complete L1 SCI is beginning ambulation training. Which assistive device and orthosis combination is MOST appropriate?
A patient with spasticity, hyperreflexia, and a positive Babinski sign is most likely showing damage to which spinal tract?
A patient has shoulder instability following repeated dislocations and exhibits a sulcus below the acromion with inferior traction. What test confirms inferior instability?
When reviewing the patient's arterial blood gas the findings are, pH: 7.20, PaCO2: 60, and HCO3: 23. After intervention the readings are now: pH: 7.32, PaCO2: 58, and HCO3: 29. Which condition does the patient have and what is their current status?
The patient in the video walks with his prosthesis. Which positioning advice BEST prevents the contracture that would most interfere with his use of this prosthesis?
Patient: Female, 58 years old
Setting: Outpatient physical therapy
Presenting problem / current condition
- The patient was referred to physical therapy 6 weeks following completion of treatment for stage II breast cancer, including a right lumpectomy with axillary lymph node dissection and adjuvant radiation therapy. She reports progressive swelling of the right upper extremity over the past 2 weeks, describing a sensation of "heaviness" and tightness that worsens throughout the day. She also notes difficulty fastening jewelry, reaching overhead, and carrying groceries with her right arm.
- She is eager to resume her previous fitness routine, which included recreational tennis and resistance training. She denies fever, chills, sudden shortness of breath, or chest pain but admits she has not been performing home exercises recommended after surgery because she was afraid movement would worsen the swelling.
Past medical history
- Stage II right breast cancer (currently in remission)
- Hypertension
- Obesity (BMI 31 )
- No history of deep vein thrombosis
- No history of congestive heart failure
- No renal disease
Medications
- Antihypertensive medication
- Vitamin D supplement
- Acetaminophen as needed
Physical therapy examination
- Observation: mild non-pitting edema of the right upper extremity extending from the hand to the mid-upper arm, mild skin tightness without erythema, surgical scar well healed, no open wounds or drainage
Vital signs
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| HR | 74 bpm |
| BP | 128/78 mmHg |
| RR | 16 breaths/min |
| 99% on room air |
- Right shoulder flexion: (left: ); right shoulder abduction: (left: )
- Bilateral upper extremity strength: 4+/5; grip strength mildly decreased on the right
Limb circumference
| Measurement site | Difference vs. uninvolved |
|---|---|
| Wrist circumference | +2 cm |
| Mid-forearm | +3 cm |
| Mid-upper arm | +3.5 cm |
- Functional: difficulty carrying grocery bags, difficulty reaching overhead cabinets, independent with transfers and ambulation
- Special test note: Stemmer sign positive; no signs of cellulitis; no symptoms suggesting upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis
This clinical presentation is MOST consistent with which of the following conditions?
Which intervention is MOST appropriate during today's physical therapy session?
During a follow-up visit, the patient reports increased arm swelling accompanied by redness, warmth, fever, and rapidly worsening pain. What is the MOST appropriate physical therapist action?
Which patient statement demonstrates the BEST understanding of long-term lymphedema management?
