ANATOMY

A patient sustained a grade I ankle sprain two days ago during a marching band competition. The patient's description of the mechanism of injury is consistent with inversion and plantar flexion. Which of the following ligaments would MOST likely be affected? 1.Anterior talofibular ligament 2.Calcaneofibular ligament 3.Anterior tibiofibular ligament 4.Deltoid ligament

Anterior talofibular ligament

A physical therapist assistant assesses the strength of selected lower extremity muscles on a patient post knee injury. The test pictured in the image would be MOST effective to examine the strength of which of the following muscles of the hip? 1.Abductors 2.Adductors 3.Medial rotators 4.Lateral rotators

Lateral rotators

A patient post right radial head fracture is treated in physical therapy. The patient's involved elbow range of motion begins at 15 degrees of flexion and ends at 90 degrees of flexion. Which of the following formats BEST reflects how the physical therapist assistant should record the patient's elbow range of motion in the medical record? 1. 0-15-90 degrees 2.15-0-90 degrees 3.15-90 degrees 4.0-90 degrees

15-90 degrees

A physical therapist assistant performs a gross range of motion screening and determines a patient has excessive medial rotation and limited lateral rotation of the hip. Which alignment of the hip would be the MOST consistent with the identified findings? 1.10 degrees of anteversion 2.18 degrees of anteversion 3.5 degrees of retroversion 4.8 degrees of retroversion

18 degrees of anteversion

A physical therapist assistant works with a patient who sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a medial meniscus tear. Which scenario would result in the GREATEST likelihood of a successful surgical meniscus repair? 1.A tear involving the inner third of the meniscus with reconstruction of the ACL 2.A tear involving the inner third of the meniscus with conservative management of the ACL 3.A tear involving the outer third of the meniscus with reconstruction of the ACL 4.A tear involving the outer third of the meniscus with conservative management of the ACL

A tear involving the outer third of the meniscus with reconstruction of the ACL

During gait training of a patient with a transtibial prosthesis, the physical therapist assistant observes excessive knee flexion during foot flat (loading response) on the prosthetic side. Which of the following rationales is the MOST likely cause of this gait deviation? 1.Weakness of the hip flexors 2.Alignment of the foot into excessive dorsiflexion 3.Pistoning of the residual limb within the prosthesis 4.Excessive softness of the SACH (solid ankle, cushion heel) foot

Alignment of the foot into excessive dorsiflexion

A physical therapist assistant discusses pain management for a patient post total hip arthroplasty with the patient's nurse. Which objective finding would make the use of patient-controlled analgesia the MOST unrealistic? 1.Altered cognitive status 2.Elevated respiratory rate 3.Advanced age 4.History of substance abuse

Altered cognitive status

A physical therapist assistant reviews the medical record of a patient with an arthritic condition. Which piece of information would be the MOST useful to assist in the definitive diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis? 1.Pain profile 2.Joint symptoms 3.Blood tests 4.Age of onset

Blood tests

A patient sustained a non-displaced fracture of the proximal humerus. Which of the following clinical findings would provide the BEST support for the patient being cleared to perform active-assisted exercise? 1.Hematoma formation 2.Diminished pain 3.Callus formation 4.Remodeling

Callus formation

A patient with a unilateral transfemoral prosthesis places the prosthetic foot either medially or laterally during the heel strike (initial contact) phase of gait. The patient reports it is difficult to control the placement of the prosthesis. Which of the following activities is MOST likely to correct the problem? 1.Standing on the prosthesis and tapping the contralateral foot on a step 2.Side stepping to the side of the prosthesis with a resistance band 3.Controlled tapping of the prosthesis on a colored circle while standing 4.Repeated sit to stand transfers from a normal height chair

Controlled tapping of the prosthesis on a colored circle while standing

A physical therapist assistant documents gait training performed during a treatment session. Which descriptive term is only associated with the swing phase of the gait cycle? 1.Heel strike 2.Deceleration 3.Loading response 4.Midstance

Deceleration

A physical therapist assistant suspects that a patient's upper extremity range of motion limitation may be the result of a fear-based psychological response. Which of the following examination findings would be MOST consistent with the assistant's hypothesis? 1.Decreased passive range of motion; weak but pain-free resistive testing 2.Decreased active range of motion; strong but painful resistive testing 3.Decreased active and passive range of motion; strong and pain-free resistive testing 4.Decreased active range of motion; decreased effort with resistive testing

Decreased active range of motion; decreased effort with resistive testing

A physical therapist assistant instructs a patient in a traditional bench press exercise using free weights. Which modification would be the MOST beneficial to limit the amount of stress placed on the anterior capsule of the shoulder? 1.Grasp the bar with a supinated grip with the hands slightly wider than shoulder width apart 2.Ensure that the elbows are fully extended at the conclusion of the upward movement 3.Ensure that the bar does not contact the chest during the downward movement 4.Attempt to slightly raise the head off of the bench during the upward movement

Ensure that the bar does not contact the chest during the downward movement

A patient who has ankylosing spondylitis is referred to physical therapy for instruction in a home exercise program. Strengthening of which of the following muscles would be the MOST beneficial for the patient? 1.Rectus abdominis 2.Internal and external obliques 3.Quadratus lumborum 4.Erector spinae

Erector spinae

A patient who has a posterolateral lumbar disk herniation reports centralization of all symptoms while lying in a prone position on a treatment table. Which of the following exercises should the patient perform LAST as part of the typical treatment progression? 1.Propping up in prone on elbows (forearms) 2.Extension in a standing position 3.Prone press-ups into full extension 4.Pelvic tilting in a quadruped position

Extension in a standing position

A physical therapist assistant assesses end-feel on a patient as part of a lower quarter screening. Assuming a normal end-feel, which of the following classifications should the assistant MOST expect with hip extension? 1.Soft 2.Firm 3.Hard 4.Empty

Firm

A patient who has ankylosing spondylitis reports progressive stiffening of the spine and associated pain for more than five years. A physical therapist assistant observes the patient's posture in the standing position. Which of the following postures should the assistant MOST expect to observe? 1.Posterior thoracic rib hump 2.Flattened lumbar curve, exaggerated thoracic curve 3.Excessive lumbar curve, flattened thoracic curve 4.Lateral curvature of the spine with fixed rotation of the vertebrae

Flattened lumbar curve, exaggerated thoracic curve

A physical therapist assistant attempts to educate a patient by using their hands to demonstrate facet movement in the cervical spine. The assistant indicates that the upper facets move bilaterally up and forward on the lower facets. This type of movement is characteristic of which of the following cervical motions? 1.Flexion 2.Extension 3.Sidebending 4.Rotation

Flexion

A physical therapist assistant instructs a patient to make a fist. The patient is able to make a fist, but is unable to flex the distal phalanx of the ring finger. What tendon has MOST likely been ruptured? 1.Flexor carpi radialis 2.Flexor digitorum superficialis 3.Flexor digitorum profundus 4.Extensor digitorum communis

Flexor digitorum profundus

A patient sustained a traumatic injury to the right shoulder less than one week ago and presents with pain, inflammation, and muscle spasm globally in the shoulder. Which of the following interventions is the MOST appropriate for the physical therapist assistant to use at this stage? 1.Grade I and II joint mobilizations 2.Bent over rows with a light hand weight 3.Doorway stretches for the pectoralis major 4.Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation patterns without resistance

Grade I and II joint mobilizations

A physical therapist assistant treats a patient who has limited shoulder range of motion that the physical therapist determined is due to pain and not a specific tissue restriction. Which graded oscillation techniques would be the MOST appropriate to treat this patient? 1.Grades I, II 2.Grades II, III 3.Grades III, IV 4.Grades IV, V

Grades I, II

A physical therapist assistant assesses the posture of a patient from a lateral view using a plumb line. Which of the following medical conditions would be the LEAST likely to result in the external auditory meatus being anterior to the plumb line? 1.Ankylosing spondylitis 2.Graves' disease 3.Osteoporosis 4.Parkinson's disease

Graves' disease

As part of the medical history, a patient reports a sudden onset of pain. Which medical condition is MOST consistent with this clinical presentation? 1.Bicipital tendonitis 2.Hamstrings strain 3.Osgood-Schlatter disease 4.Peripheral vascular disease

Hamstrings strain

A physical therapist assistant works on improving the range of motion of a patient post total hip arthroplasty using a posterolateral approach. The patient is having difficulty reaching their feet to don and doff their shoes independently. Which of the following motions should be emphasized to achieve improved independence with this skill? 1.Hip flexion 2.Hip medial rotation 3.Knee extension 4.Hip lateral rotation

Hip lateral rotation

A physical therapist assistant observes the gait of a child who has cerebral palsy. The assistant notes that the patient exhibits excessive lordosis during ambulation. Which of the following surgical procedures would BEST address this postural deformity? 1.Hamstrings tendon lengthening 2.Adductor longus tendon lengthening 3.Iliopsoas tendon lengthening 4.Lumbar laminectomy

Iliopsoas tendon lengthening

A physical therapist assistant instructs a patient in soft tissue mobilization using a foam roller as shown in the image. Which of the following conditions would MOST likely benefit from this therapeutic technique? 1.Iliolumbar syndrome 2.Iliotibial band syndrome 3.Piriformis syndrome 4.Trochanteric bursitis

Iliotibial band syndrome

A three-year-old child with osteogenesis imperfecta participates in an aquatic therapy program. What is the PRIMARY goal of aquatic therapy for a patient diagnosed with this condition? 1.Decrease abnormal tone 2.Decrease bone density 3.Increase range of motion 4.Increase strength

Increase strength

A physical therapist assistant observes a patient having difficulty controlling the involved lower extremity during foot flat (loading response). Which of the following statements BEST describes the muscle activation at the knee during this phase of the gait cycle? 1.Increased quadriceps activity and increased hamstrings activity 2.Increased quadriceps activity and decreased hamstrings activity 3.Decreased quadriceps activity and increased hamstrings activity 4.Decreased quadriceps activity and decreased hamstrings activity

Increased quadriceps activity and decreased hamstrings activity

A physical therapist assistant instructs a patient to perform a standing stretch as shown in the image. Which of the following structures is on the MOST stretch with this technique? 1.Horizontal abductors 2.Inferior capsule 3.Pectoralis major 4.Pectoralis minor

Inferior capsule

A physical therapist assistant completes a series of resisted movements on a patient who has a lower extremity injury. The patient denies pain initially, but reports increasing pain after performing a number of repetitions. This scenario is MOST consistent with which of the following conditions? 1.Complete rupture of a tendon 2.Intermittent claudication 3.Ligamentous laxity 4.Emotional hypersensitivity

Intermittent claudication

A physical therapist assistant instructs a patient in a self-stretching activity using the FABER test position. This test position should be MOST useful to stretch which of the following muscle groups of the hip? 1.Abductors 2.Flexors 3.External rotators 4.Internal rotators

Internal rotators

A physical therapist directs a physical therapist assistant to perform only closed kinetic chain exercises with a patient. Which of the following exercises would NOT be appropriate based on the therapist's directive? 1.Exercise on a stair machine 2.Limited squats to 45 degrees 3.Walking backwards on a treadmill 4.Isokinetic knee extension and flexion

Isokinetic knee extension and flexion

A physical therapist assistant observes a patient complete a standing arm curl with a dumbbell using the starting and ending positions as shown in the image. Which of the following scenarios would produce the MOST power? 1.Lifting a two pound dumbbell in two seconds 2.Lifting a two pound dumbbell in three seconds 3.Lifting a four pound dumbbell in one second 4.Lifting a four pound dumbbell in four seconds

Lifting a four pound dumbbell in one second

A physical therapist assistant performs a muscle length test for the long head of the triceps. Which of the following findings is the MOST consistent with shortening of this muscle? 1.Limitation of elbow flexion with the shoulder maintained at the end range of extension 2.Limitation of elbow extension with the shoulder maintained at the end range of extension 3.Limitation of elbow extension with the shoulder maintained at the end range of flexion 4.Limitation of elbow flexion with the shoulder maintained at the end range of flexion

Limitation of elbow flexion with the shoulder maintained at the end range of flexion

A physical therapist assistant completes a posture screening and muscle length test of the hip flexors on a patient. The assistant determines that the patient has extremely tight hip flexors bilaterally. What common structural deformity is MOST often associated with tight hip flexors? 1.Scoliosis 2.Kyphosis 3.Lordosis 4.Spondylolysis

Lordosis

A patient uses patient-controlled analgesia with a lockout interval following an inpatient surgical procedure. Which medication would be MOST consistent with this delivery model? 1.Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 2.Baclofen (Lioresal) 3.Meperidine (Demerol) 4.Methotrexate (Trexall)

Meperidine (Demerol)

A physical therapist assistant performs an upper extremity manual muscle test on a patient. Assuming the patient has the ability to move the upper extremities against gravity, which of the following muscles should the assistant test with the patient in the prone position? 1.Pronator teres 2.Pectoralis major 3.Biceps brachii 4.Middle trapezius

Middle trapezius

A patient eight days post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a patellar tendon autograft is treated in physical therapy. Which of the following exercises would be the MOST appropriate based on the patient's post-operative status? 1.Limited range isokinetics at 30 degrees per second 2.Unilateral leg press 3.Mini-squats in standing 4.Active knee extension in short sitting

Mini-squats in standing

While completing a pain questionnaire, a patient selects words such as cramping, dull, and aching to describe their pain. What related structure is MOST consistent with this pain description? 1.Nerve root 2.Muscle 3.Bone 4.Vascular

Muscle

An entry in a patient's medical record indicates that the patient has recently received viscosupplementation. This type of procedure is MOST commonly performed to treat which of the following conditions? 1.Arrhythmias 2.Bursitis 3.Osteoarthritis 4.Spasticity

Osteoarthritis

A patient is referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of left shoulder impingement. During the session, the physical therapist assistant begins to suspect a systemic cause for the patient's pain. Which of the following symptoms would BEST support this hypothesis? 1.Pain has been present for years 2.Pain is alleviated with the use of cryotherapy 3.Pain is aggravated by cervical rotation 4.Pain remains unrelieved with rest

Pain remains unrelieved with rest

A physical therapist assistant positions a patient in prone to measure passive knee flexion. Which of the following rationales is the MOST likely cause of limited range of motion in this position? 1.Active insufficiency of the knee extensors 2.Active insufficiency of the knee flexors 3.Passive insufficiency of the knee extensors 4.Passive insufficiency of the knee flexors

Passive insufficiency of the knee extensors

After performing a manual muscle test of the tibialis anterior, a physical therapist assistant assigns a numerical scale grade of 4 to patient A and a grade of 2 to patient B. Which of the following statements is the BEST interpretation of the patients' strength? 1.Patients A and B have equal strength 2.Patient A is stronger than patient B 3.Patient A is twice as strong as patient B 4.Patient B is twice as strong as patient A

Patient A is stronger than patient B

A physical therapist assistant administers strength testing after observing a patient exhibit a posterior trunk lean during gait. Which testing procedure would be MOST anticipated based on the observed finding? 1.Patient positioned in prone; downward pressure is applied to the posterior surface of the distal thigh 2.Patient positioned in sidelying; downward pressure is applied to the lateral ankle of the top leg 3.Patient positioned in prone; assistant passively brings the patient's heel towards their buttocks 4.Patient positioned in prone with knees flexed to 90 degrees; assistant medially rotates the hip

Patient positioned in prone; downward pressure is applied to the posterior surface of the distal thigh

A physical therapist assistant instructs a patient in a home stretching program that includes the stretch shown in the image. Which of the following structures is MOST likely targeted with this technique? 1.Gluteus medius 2.Iliotibial band 3.Piriformis 4.Rectus femoris

Piriformis

A physical therapist assistant performs a gross muscle length test of the hamstrings with a patient in a short sitting position. Which of the following patient responses is the MOST common substitution to exaggerate the length of the hamstrings? 1.Weight shift to the contralateral side 2.Anterior rotation of the pelvis 3.Posterior rotation of the pelvis 4.Hiking of the contralateral hip

Posterior rotation of the pelvis

A middle-aged patient who sustained a fractured femur asks questions about their expected functional level following rehabilitation. Assuming an uncomplicated recovery, which of the following factors would provide the MOST accurate prediction of the patient's functional level? 1.Frequency of physical therapy visits 2.Previous medical history 3.Previous functional level 4.Adherence with a home exercise program

Previous functional level

A patient sustained a fracture of the acetabulum that was treated with open reduction and internal fixation seven weeks ago. Which of the following objective measures would be the MOST influential variable when determining the patient's weight bearing status? 1.Visual analogue pain scale rating 2.Radiographic confirmation of bone healing 3.Lower extremity manual muscle testing 4.Balance and coordination assessment

Radiographic confirmation of bone healing

A physical therapist assistant attempts to strengthen the lumbricals on a patient who has a low metatarsal arch. Which of the following exercises would be the MOST appropriate? 1.Resisted extension of the metatarsophalangeal joint 2.Resisted flexion of the metatarsophalangeal joint 3.Resisted abduction of the metatarsophalangeal joint 4.Resisted adduction of the metatarsophalangeal joint

Resisted flexion of the metatarsophalangeal joint

During gait training of a patient, a physical therapist assistant observes that the patient's pelvis drops on the left during the left swing phase. The assistant should recognize that this gait deviation is MOST likely caused by weakness of which of the following muscles? 1.Left gluteus medius 2.Right gluteus medius 3.Left gluteus minimus 4.Right gluteus minimus

Right gluteus medius

A physical therapist assistant reviews the medical record of a patient who recently had a "long" spinal fusion. Which medical condition would MOST likely require this type of surgical procedure? 1.Ankylosing spondylitis 2.Scoliosis 3.Spinal disk herniation 4.Spinal segment instability

Scoliosis

A physical therapist assistant notices two prominent tendons visible on the posterior surface of the left knee while a patient completes a leg curl exercise. As shown in the image, the visible medial and lateral tendons are MOST likely associated with which of the following muscles? 1.Semimembranosus and semitendinosus 2.Semitendinosus and biceps femoris 3.Popliteus and semitendinosus 4.Semimembranosus and biceps femoris

Semitendinosus and biceps femoris

An athlete sustained a grade III lateral ankle sprain while playing basketball and plans to return to full participation in athletic activities. Which component of the rehabilitation process is MOST important to address the concern of chronic functional instability? 1.Use of ice and compression to rapidly reduce the inflammation and swelling 2.High-voltage pulsed current to promote tissue healing 3.Single-leg support proprioception exercises with dynamic strengthening 4.Isometric stabilization exercises and isokinetic ankle strengthening exercises

Single-leg support proprioception exercises with dynamic strengthening

A patient who has greater trochanteric bursitis completes an active range of motion exercise for hip flexion. What direction does the femoral head slide on the acetabulum during hip flexion? 1.Slides superiorly on the acetabulum 2.Slides inferiorly on the acetabulum 3.Slides anteriorly and superiorly on the acetabulum 4.Slides posteriorly and inferiorly on the acetabulum

Slides posteriorly and inferiorly on the acetabulum

A patient reports experiencing an increase in low back pain following ballistic activities. The patient previously participated in competitive gymnastics, however, reports that her back was unable to tolerate the intensity of training. Based on the presented x-ray, which of the following medical conditions should the physical therapist assistant MOST suspect? 1.Spondylitis 2.Spondylolysis 3.Spondylolisthesis 4.Spondyloptosis

Spondylolisthesis

A physical therapist assistant is performing transfer training with a patient four days post transtibial amputation. Assuming an uncomplicated recovery, which of the following transfers is the MOST appropriate for the assistant to utilize from a wheelchair to a mat table? 1.Two-person lift 2.Hydraulic lift 3.Stand pivot 4.Sliding board

Stand pivot

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 two weeks post transtibial amputation is instructed by their physician to remain at rest for two days after contracting bronchitis. Which of the following positions is the MOST appropriate for the patient while in bed? 1.Supine with a pillow under the patient's knees 2.Supine with a pillow under the patient's thighs and knees 3.Supine with the legs extended 4.Sidelying in the fetal position

Supine with the legs extended

A patient rehabilitating from a left shoulder injury performs a resistive exercise as shown in the image. Which muscle would be the MOST emphasized when performing the pictured exercise? 1.Pectoralis major 2.Supraspinatus 3.Teres major 4.Teres minor

Supraspinatus

As shown in the image, a physical therapist assistant is performing surface palpation on a patient with an acromioclavicular injury. Which anatomical landmark is MOST consistent with the location of the assistant's finger? 1.Manubrium 2.Sternoclavicular joint 3.Suprasternal notch 4.Xiphoid process

Suprasternal notch

A physical therapist assistant performs a manual muscle test on the medial rotators of a patient's shoulder. Which of the following muscles would NOT be involved in this specific test? 1.Pectoralis major 2.Teres major 3.Latissimus dorsi 4.Teres minor

Teres minor

A physical therapist assistant completes a manual muscle test where resistance is applied toward plantar flexion and eversion. This description BEST describes a manual muscle test of which of the following muscles? 1.Tibialis anterior 2.Tibialis posterior 3.Peroneus longus 4.Peroneus brevis

Tibialis anterior

A physical therapist assistant treats a patient diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. During the treatment session, the assistant attempts to strengthen the muscles that support the medial longitudinal arch. Which of the following muscles would be MOST important to emphasize in the strengthening program? 1.Gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris 2.Fibularis (peroneus) longus and brevis 3.Tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus 4.Tibialis posterior and flexor digitorum longus

Tibialis posterior and flexor digitorum longus

A patient sustained a patella fracture in a motor vehicle accident and the knee is maintained in extension using a straight leg knee immobilizer. Which of the following gait deviations would MOST likely be caused by the use of this type of immobilizer? 1.Vaulting 2.Antalgic gait 3.Increased plantar flexion 4.Trendelenburg gait

Vaulting

A patient with a compensated rearfoot varus deformity prepares to utilize a set of rigid orthoses. Which recommendation would be the MOST appropriate when wearing the orthoses the first day? 1.No break-in period is necessary 2.Wear the orthoses for 1-2 hours 3.Wear the orthoses for 2-4 hours 4.Wear the orthoses for 6-8 hours

Wear the orthoses for 1-2 hours

A physical therapist assistant works with a patient who has a knee sprain. During the initial treatment session, the patient appears to be relaxed and comfortable, however, is extremely withdrawn. Which of the following questions would be the MOST appropriate to further engage the patient? 1.Is this the first time you have injured your knee? 2.Have you ever been to physical therapy before? 3.How long after your injury did you see a physician? 4.What do you hope to achieve in physical therapy?

What do you hope to achieve in physical therapy?