PTA LICENSURE EXAM, STUDY GUIDE AND
PRACTICE EXAM 2024-2025 NEWEST EXAM
ACTUAL EXAM DETAILED QUESTIONS AND
GUARANTEED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
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A patient who has cerebral palsy exhibits slow, involuntary, continuous writhing
movements of the upper and lower extremities. Which of the following motor
impairments is MOST representative of this type of motor disturbance?
1. Spasticity
2. Ataxia
3. Hypotonia
4. Athetosis - ANSWER- 4. Athetosis
RATIONALE: Athetosis refers to involuntary movements characterized as slow,
irregular, and twisting. Peripheral movements occur without central stability. This type of
motor disturbance makes it extremely difficult to maintain a static body position.
A patient diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome reports difficulty with managing flareups of their symptoms. Which of the following interventions should the physical therapist
assistant MOST emphasize in order to address the patient's complaint?
1. Lumbar stabilization exercises
2. Aerobic exercise
3. Instruction in pacing activities
4. General flexibility training - ANSWER- 3. Instruction in pacing activities
RATIONALE :Instruction in pacing activities, so as not to push too hard or too little, is
a key component of the management of FMS in an attempt to avoid fluctuations or flareups of symptoms. Individuals with FMA often cycle their activity around their pain on
"good" and "bad" days, with typically lower tolerance for activities and exercise.
Learning to pace activities throughout the day is an important strategy to break up the
vicious cycle of pain leading to decreased activity, which leads to deconditioning and
more pain.
A physical therapist assistant administers the Thomas test to a patient rehabilitating
from a lower extremity injury. Which of the following findings would represent the MOST
significant shortening of the right iliopsoas?
1. In supine with the left hip flexed to the chest, the right hip exhibits 5 degrees of flexion
2. In supine with the left hip flexed to the chest, the right hip exhibits 15 degrees of
flexion
3. In supine with the right hip flexed to the chest, the left hip exhibits 5 degrees of flexion
4. In supine with right hip flexed to the chest, the left hip exhibits 15 degrees of flexion. -
ANSWER- 2. In supine with the left hip flexed to the chest, the right hip exhibits 15
degrees of flexion.
RATIONALE: Special tests may be utilized to determine if a patient has muscle
tightness or pathology. The Thomas test is a special test commonly used to assess the
length of the hip flexors.
To assess the right iliopsoas, the patient would lie supine and flex the left hip to the
chest. The described testing procedure demonstrates more significant shortening of the
right iliopsoas than option 1.
A physical therapist assistant works with a patient rehabilitating from a lumbar
laminectomy. During the session the patient suddenly becomes lightheaded and faint.
The patient hypothesizes that this is likely a diabetic reaction since the morning was so
hurried and there was not time to have breakfast. What is the MOST appropriate
assistant reaction?
1. Provide the patient with a glass of juice or candy
2. Place the patient in a supine position and monitor the patient's vital signs
3. Attempt to administer an insulin shot
4. Call a code - ANSWER- 1. Provide the patient with a glass of juice or candy
RATIONALE: An overdose of insulin, late or skipped meals or overexertion with
exercise can cause a hypoglycemic reaction. Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemic
reactions include weakness, headache, irritability, and lack of muscular coordination.
When he physical therapist assistant recognizes a hypoglycemic reaction, they should
immediately provide the patient with carbohydrates
A physical therapist assistant performs a manual muscle test on a patient's shoulder
lateral rotators. Which muscle would be involved in this specific test?
1. Pectoralis major
2. Teres major
3. Latissimus dorsi
4. Teres minor - ANSWER- 4. Teres minor
RATIONALE: The primary muscles being assessed while testing the shoulder lateral
rotators include the teres minor, infraspinatus, and posterior deltoid. The test is
performed with the patient supine and resistance is applied to the forearm in the
direction of medially rotating the humerus. The test can alternately be performed with
patient in prone.
The teres minor acts to laterally rotate the shoulder joint and stabilize the head of the
humerus in the glenoid cavity. The muscle is innervated by the axillary nerve (C5-C6)
A physical therapist assistant works with a patient rehabilitating from a traumatic brain
injury on a mat program. The program emphasizes various developmental positions to
prepare the patient for ambulation activities. Which developmental position would be the
MOST demanding?
1. Hooklying
2. Quadruped
3. Tall kneeling
4. Modified plantigrade - ANSWER- 4. Modified plantigrade [Show Less]