2024 Version

NPTE PTA Practice Test

Take this free physical therapist assistant practice test to get an idea of what is on the National Physical Therapist Exam (NPTE) for physical therapist assistants (PTA).
 
The NPTE for PTAs is a standardized exam produced by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

The test sections below are based on the NPTE PTA test sections: musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, integumentary, metabolic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, gentitourinary, lymphatic, system interactions, equipment, therapeutic modalities, safety, professional responsibilities and evidenced based practice.

The actual NPTE PT has 200 questions and four hours is given to complete the test.
 
 

Musculoskeletal System

1. A patient is 7 weeks in to rehabilitation following a right medial meniscectomy. The patient reports feeling great overall but continues to have weakness and difficulty walking down hills or down stairs. The most appropriate exercise to address this deficit is:
2. A therapist wants to perform a glenohumeral mobilization to improve internal rotation. The correct set-up to perform this manual technique is:

Neuromuscular System

3. When treating an 8 year old with a new diagnosis of Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, it is important that treatment focuses on:
4. A patient who is unable replicate facial expressions and has decreased taste on the anterior two thirds of the tongue likely has an injury to the:

Cardiovascular and Pulmonary System

5. Acutely after exercise, these changes are normally observed:
6. While ambulating a patient who is in acute care for COPD exacerbation, the patient's O2 saturation drops to 82%. The best course of action for the PTA is to:

Integumentary System

7. While educating family of a spinal cord injury patient, the therapist is reviewing common places for pressure ulcers. The therapist should include which areas as some of the most at risk areas for pressure wounds?
8. While performing an ultrasound on a patient, the therapist notices a mole that is atypical in appearance. The rules for determining if a mole requires physician evaluation include:

Metabolic and Endocrine Systems

9. A patient with a pituitary tumor is being treated in acute care. What effects can the therapist expect this tumor to have on the patient's rehabilitation?
10. A patient with decreased free T3 and T4 and increased TSH likely has:

Gastrointestinal System

11. A PTA is treating a patient in an outpatient clinic for lower back pain. When reviewing the PT's initial evaluation, they note that the patient has severe GERD. Which position should be avoided for this patient?
12. When treating a patient in the first week of outpatient therapy following placement of a colostomy bag, appropriate exercise could include:

Genitourinary System

13. A 17 year old female patient is at the end of her rehabilitation for lower back pain having consistently improved and had been pain free for the last week. She reported a sudden relapse of back pain that lasted for about three days and then subsided. She denies a change in activity. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
14. A patient with severe arthritis has difficulty making it to the bathroom in time due to the amount of pain and length of time it takes her and to get out of bed and walk down the hall. This type of incontinence is classified as:

Lymphatic System

15. When performing lymphatic drainage techniques, the therapist should work from:
16. A pregnant patient in her third trimester, who a therapist is treating for sciatic nerve pain, reports feeling like her feet are more swollen today. The therapist presses at the anterior, distal lower extremity and releases. The pressure indents approximately 2 mm and rebounds immediately. This can be classified as:

System Interactions

17. When working with a patient who is taking beta blockers, which is the most accurate monitoring tool for exercise intensity?
18. In treating a patient in sub-acute rehabilitation, following a posterior total hip arthroplasty with mild dementia, the best way to help the patient adhere to hip precautions is:

Equipment, Devices, and Technologies

19. Which of the following is the most appropriate assistive device for a formerly very active patient with mild hemiplegia following a right hemisphere CVA? The patient has MMT 4+/5 on the unaffected sided in both upper and lower extremities.
20. A PTA is treating a patient in home health following discharge from acute care for COPD exacerbation. The therapist notices that the patient is having difficulty standing from a chair. What adaptive equipment would be most beneficial for this patient?

Therapeutic Modalities

21. Which of the following medications would be placed on the anode during iontophoresis?
22. When performing an ultrasound on the achilles tendon for tendonitis, which frequency would be correct?

Safety and Protection

23. A PTA is treating a patient who is listed as Mod Assist x 2 for last session. There are no rehab staff available to assist with transferring this patient. How should the therapist proceed with the therapy session?
24. A patient with active tuberculosis is placed on:

Professional Responsibilities

25. A PTA is treating a patient who was evaluated for home health physical therapy two weeks ago. The patient has experienced a significant decline in function reporting an increase in falls and more intense pain. The best course of action for the PTA is to:
26. The law that states that all children have a right to a free, appropriate public education is:

Evidence Based Practice

27. What is the highest level of evidence in the research hierarchy?
28. Which of the following would be considered a quantitative value?