PEAT SET 1 – PRACTICE EXAM
NAME:________________________________________
SCORE:_______
1. A patient with complete long thoracic nerve injury would
have difficulty in:
a. putting hand in the back pocket.
b. bending toward the involved side.
c. taking a deep breath.
d. reaching forward above head.
2. A therapist is treating a young athlete with
gastrocnemius muscle strength of fair plus (3+/5). In the
prone position, which of the following exercises is the
MOST appropriate to maximize strengthening?
a. Resistive exercises with the knee bent.
b. Resistive exercises with the knee straight.
c. Active exercises with the knee bent
d. Active exercises with the knee straight.
3. A patient has right hemiparesis resulting from TBI. When
assessing motor control in the right lower extremity with
the patient standing, the therapist finds that the patient
cannot extend the hip while flexing the knee or flex the
hip while extending the knee. In which of the following
functional activities will this problem be MOST apparent?
a. Shifting weight while standing.
b. Walking sideways.
c. Walking backward.
d. Moving from sitting position to standing position.
4. In which of the following conditions would a nerve
conduction velocity test be MOST important?
a. Carpal tunnel syndrome
b. Cerebrovascular accident
c. Myotonia
d. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
5. During a review, a patient lacks 10 degrees of passive
ankle dorsiflexion. The same degree of limitation is
present whether the knee is flexed of extended. The
muscle MOST likely contributing to this restriction is the:
a. gastrocnemius
b. tibialis anterior
c. plantaris
d. soleus
6. The PT is positioning a patient for postural drainage. In
order to BEST drain the posterior segment of both lower
lobes, the patient should be placed in which of the
following positions?
a. Prone, head down at 45 degree angle
b. Supine, flat surface
c. Side lying, head elevated 30 degree angle
d. Sitting, leaning forward
7. A MMT of a patient sustained a gunshot wound just
superior to the elbow joint reveals specific muscle
weakness from a partial median nerve injury. The PT
intervention for this patient would MOST likely include
strengthening activities for wrist flexion and forearm:
a. pronation, finger flexion, thumb adduction
b. pronation, finger flexion, thumb opposition
c. supination, finger abduction, thumb opposition
d. supination, finger abduction, thumb extension
8. A clean, well granulating stage II pressure ulcer with
minimal serous drainage is MOST appropriately dressed
with:
a. a non-adherent dressing
b. a packed dressing
c. topical medication only
d. dry-to-dry gauze
9. A patient in the eighth month of pregnancy presents with
numbness and tingling of the left hand except the fifth
digit. She demonstrates edema of the hand and fingers,
a positive Tinel’s sign at the wrist, and a good (4/5)
muscle test grade of the wrist and finger flexors. The
MOST appropriate intervention would be:
a. a wrist splint to position the wrist in full extension
b. a hot pack followed by tendon gliding exercises
c. resistive exercises for the wrist and finger flexors
d. frequent rest and elevation of the left upper extremity
10. When evaluating a wheelchair positioning of a child with
cerebral palsy, the therapist should FIRST examine the
position of the child’s:
a. pelvis
b. legs
c. head
d. spine
11. A patient who has COPD is being treated with a regimen
that includes pursed lip breathing exercise. The
PRIMARY purpose of the pursed lip breathing is to:
a. help prevent collapse of pulmonary airways during
exhalation thereby reducing air trapping
b. decrease the removal of CO2 during ventilation
c. increase the residual volume of respiration so that
more O2 is available for body metabolism
d. stimulate further mobilization of mucous secretions
to higher air passages where they can be
expectorated
12. An elderly patient has diabetic neuropathy. Upon
examination he shows marked mediolateral instability of
the left ankle while walking. The patient also has
fluctuating edema and glove-and-stocking sensory loss
in both legs. The MOST appropriate orthotics aid would
be:
a. a double-upright ankle foot orthosis
b. hip to toe shoes
c. a prefabricated plastic, solid ankle-foot orthosis
d. a spiral ankle foot orthosis
13. A patient with chronic venous insufficiency of the LE
would MOST likely exhibit:
a. normal superficial veins, no edema, ulceration and
patches of gangrene around the toes
b. dilation of superficial veins, edema, stasis ulceration
c. no edema, cold, hairless LE, faint dorsalis pedis
pulse
d. dilation of superficial veins, edema made worse
during sitting or leg elevation
14. A patient who has RA comes to PT with signs of muscle
atrophy, ecchymosis, puffy cheeks and a diagnosis of
osteoporosis. This patient is MOST likely receiving a
high dosage of:
a. penicillin
b. prednisone
c. aspirin
d. gold salts
15. Elevating a patient’s LE for less than 1 minute produces
a noticeable pallor of the foot, followed by delayed
reactive hyperemia in a dependent position. These signs
are indicative of:
a. an intact circulatory system
b. arterial insufficiency
c. venous insufficiency
d. acute arterial occlusion
16. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of
reduced vital capacity in a patient who has quadriplegia
at C5-C6 level?
a. Decreased anterolateral chest expansion resulting
from paralysis of the external intercostals
b. Inability of the patient to generate a negative
intrapleural pressure secondary to a denervated
diaphragm
c. A relatively high resting position of the diaphragm
resulting from paralysis of abdominal muscles
d. Reduced rib cage elevation due to paralysis of the
anterior scalene and sternocleidomastoid muscles
17. A patient with mild closed head injury and bilateral femur
fracture requires instructions in a LE exercise program.
In order to plan the most effective teaching methods for
this patient, what would be the MOST critical to assess at
the initial visit?
a. Comprehension of written, verbal and demonstrated
instructions
b. Short term memory capacity
c. Hearing and vision
d. Any personality changes compared to the patient’s
premorbid status
18. To minimize skin irritation during functional electrical
nerve stimulation, the physical therapist should use:
a. lower intensity, larger inter-electrode distance and
larger electrodes
b. lower intensity, larger inter-electrode distance and
smaller electrodes
c. higher intensity, smaller inter-electrode distance and
smaller electrodes
d. lower intensity, smaller inter-electrode distance and
larger electrodes
PEAT SET 1 – PRACTICE EXAM
19. While a patient is walking in the parallel bars, the
therapist observes that the pelvis drops down on the side
opposite the stance extremity. This gait deviation is an
indication of weakness of the hip:
a. abductors of the swing extremity
b. adductors of the swing extremity
c. abductors of the stance extremity
d. adductors of the stance extremity
20. Excessive upward rotation of the right scapula is noted
when the patient attempts to perform shoulder flexion.
Which of the following exercises is MOST appropriate to
help correct the excessive scapular rotation?
a. Right scapular protraction against resistance with
the right arm at 90 degrees of flexion
b. Bilateral scapular elevation with the upper extremity
at 180 degrees of flexion
c. Wall push-ups with an isometric hold at the end
range with the elbows extended
d. Bilateral scapular adduction with the arms medially
rotated and adducted across the back
21. A patient with left hemiparesis is being discharged from
the rehabilitation center. The therapist has been
unsuccessful in getting the family’s cooperation to
instruct them in transfers, bed mobility, and safety
precautions. The MOST appropriate action for the
therapist to take is to:
a. educate the patient so she can tell others how to
assist her
b. contact social services and arrange for a team and
family meeting
c. refer the patient for home care and document
appropriate interventions
d. write a home program and give it to the family
22. A patient is being examined for medial epicondylitis.
With this diagnosis, the therapist would MOST likely
expect to find pain over the:
a. origin of flexor digitorum profundus with resisted
finger flexion
b. origin of pronator teres muscle with active pronation
c. medial epicondyle with passive wrist flexion
d. insertion of the triceps brachii with passive elbow
extension
23. During the examination of a patient with carpal tunnel
syndrome, the therapist will MOST likely find:
a. paresthesia of the medial palmar surface of the hand
b. weakness of finger extension of the lateral three
digits
c. paresthesia of the lateral three digits
d. weakness in wrist flexion and ulnar deviation
24. A patient is undergoing a treadmill stress test. The
appearance of abnormally wide, irregularly spaced QRS
complexes on the ECG represents:
a. ventricular depolarization
b. premature ventricular contractions
c. atrial fibrillation
d. atrial repolarization
25. A right handed woman is being examined by the PT for
right sided weakness in her UE and LE. The muscle tone
is hypotonic and she is ataxic during walking. She has a
history of hypertension and alcoholism. Passive ROM
with DTR show hyporefexia. She has an intention tremor
when she tries to pick up an object from a table, and
exhibits difficulty performing the finger to nose test.
Where is the MOST probable area of the lesion?
a. Right side, cervical spinal cord
b. Left side, cerebral hemisphere
c. Left side, substantia nigra
d. Right side, cerebellar hemisphere
26. A patient’s severe knee sprain resulted from medial
rotation of the femur on the tibia with simultaneous
application of a valgus force while the foot was placed on
the ground. Which structures are MOST likely to be
involved?
a. Medial collateral ligament, medial meniscus and
anterior cruciate ligament
b. Medial collateral ligament, lateral collateral ligament
and posterior cruciate ligament
c. Lateral collateral ligament, medial meniscus and
anterior cruciate ligament
d. Medial collateral ligament, lateral meniscus and
posterior cruciate ligament
27. A therapist is setting up a home program of ES for a
patient who has Bell’s palsy. Which of the following
muscles should be stimulated as part of the home
program?
a. Sternocleidomastoid
b. Masseter
c. Temporalis
d. Frontalis
28. A PT is treating a patient who has lymphedema in the
right LE. The therapist decides to use mechanical,
intermittent pneumatic compression as an intervention,
using a sleeve that covers the foot, leg and thigh. The
therapist measures BP at 135/85 mm Hg. At first
treatment session, the MOST appropriate inflation
pressure for the sleeve is:
a. 20 mm Hg
b. 60 mm Hag
c. 100 mm Hg
d. 140 mm Hg
29. A 14-month old child with spastic diplegia is up on his
tiptoes with his toes curled when held in supported
standing. This position is characteristic of a:
a. proprioceptive placing reaction
b. moro reflex
c. plantar grasp reflex
d. traction response
30. A therapist who works in a home health agency is treating
a patient with diabetes mellitus. The patient tells the
therapist that he is no longer taking his insulin. The
therapist’s FIRST course of action should be to:
a. instruct the patient in proper technique for injecting
insulin
b. contact the patient’s home health nurse
c. tell the patient’s family to report this information to
the physician
d. have the patient perform a urine glucose test while
the therapist is in the home
31. A 5-year-old patient with a closed head injury is exhibiting
behavior consistent with the confused agitated level of
cognitive function. During physical therapy intervention,
the patient becomes combative. Which of the following
techniques would be MOST effective in calming the
patient?
a. Providing brief moving touch to the face and turning
on the patient’s favorite musical tape
b. Maintaining touch to the shoulders and brightening
the room by opening curtains
c. Removing the patient from the current treatment
environment and placing the patient in a quiet setting
d. Wrapping the patient in a blanket and rocking the
patient rapidly
32. Which of the following instructions is MOST appropriate
for teaching a patient with C6 quadriplegia to transfer
from a wheelchair to a mat?
a. “Keep your fingers extended, to give a broader base
of support”
b. “Rotate your head and shoulders in the same
direction to the desired hip motion”
c. “Rotate your head and shoulders in the direction
opposite to the desired motion”
d. “Keep both hands next to your knees to lock your
elbows”
33. On the fourth day of PT treatment, a patient who has had
an ORIF for a hip fracture develops a large ecchymosis
over the unaffected hip. The patient has MOST likely
developed:
a. a hemangioma
b. a complication of anticoagulant therapy
c. a hematocele
d. deep vein thrombophlebitis
34. A patient is performing a phase I cardiac rehabilitation
exercise session. The therapist should terminate low
level activity in which of the following value changes from
resting level?
a. The diastolic BP increases to 120 mmHg
b. The respiratory rate increases to 20 breaths per
minute
c. The systolic BP increases by 20 mmHg
d. The heart rate increases by 20 beats per minute
PEAT SET 1 – PRACTICE EXAM
35. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate
intervention for a patient with juvenile rheumatoid
arthritis who is experiencing painful swelling of both
knees?
a. Resistive exercises
b. Stretching to prevent contractures
c. Gentle active exercises
d. Walking program
36. A 6-year-old child with spastic diplegia is walking in the
parallel bars. The child walks with increased trunk and
hip flexion. What would be the MOST appropriate
assistive device?
a. Standard walker
b. Forearm crutches
c. Posterior rolling walker
d. Bilateral quad canes
37. A patient complains of anterolateral shoulder pain with
insidious onset. Examination shows full passive ROM,
pain on passive lateral rotation and pain on resistive
internal rotation. These signs are consistent with a
diagnosis of:
a. bicipital tendonitis
b. supraspinatus tendonitis
c. subscapularis tendonitis
d. infraspinatus tendonitis
38. A patient presents with adhesive capsulitis of the
shoulder joint. The ROM examination reveals restricted
external rotation and abduction of the shoulder. The
FIRST mobilization procedure that should be done for
this patient is:
a. posterior glide
b. distraction
c. anterior glide
d. external rotation
39. A patient sustained a severe brain stem injury one week
ago and has demonstrated minimal change since the
incident. The patient’s cognitive status is MOST likely to
include:
a. a decrease level of arousal
b. a decrease level of intelligence
c. an increase level of agitation
d. an increase level of impulsivity
40. A patient is referred to physical therapy with a 20-degree
knee flexion contracture following arthroscopic knee
surgery a month ago. All of the following interventions
are appropriate EXCEPT:
a. stretching of the semimembranosus muscle
b. strengthening of vastus medialis.
c. inferior gliding of the patella.
d. mobility of the posterior capsule of the knee joint.
41. After a long-term history of bilateral lower extremity
vascular insufficiency, an otherwise healthy patient had
a right above-knee amputation. For this patient, which of
the following is the MOST important factor in establishing
long-term goals for functional walking?
a. Status of the wound at the amputation site.
b. ROM of the right hip.
c. Condition of the left lower extremity
d. Ability to maintain upright posture.
42. Which diagnostic procedure is LEAST likely to confirm
suspected disc herniation in a patient with low back pain?
a. MRI scan
b. CAT scan
c. Radiograph
d. Myelogram
43. Redness on the inferior aspect of the patella upon
removal of a patellar tendon bearing prosthesis indicates
that the residual limb:
a. is not far enough into the prosthesis and fewer socks
should be worn
b. is not far enough into the prosthesis and additional
socks should be worn
c. has slipped too far into the prosthesis and fewer
socks should be worn
d. has slipped too far into the prosthesis and additional
socks should be worn
44. The demographic information on the subject in a
research study list a mean age of 32 and median of 35.
The difference between the median and mean indicates:
a. the value of standard deviation score
b. the value of the Z score
c. that the distribution is skewed
d. that the two measures should be average
45. Which of the following is the BEST documentation
exercise of a goal?
a. The therapist will reduce patient’s hip flexion
contracture to neutral
b. The patient will ambulate 75 feet independently in 3
weeks
c. The therapist will reduce patient’s pain from 7/10 to
3/10
d. The patient will understand how to increase ADL in 4
weeks
46. In splinting or immobilization, the functional position of
the hand includes wrist:
a. extension, phalangeal flexion, and thumb abduction
b. extension, phalangeal extension and thumb
abduction
c. extension, phalangeal flexion and thumb adduction
d. flexion, phalangeal flexion and thumb adduction
47. A 3-month old child has motor and sensory loss in the
right upper extremity in the areas innervated by the C5
and C6 spinal nerves. The cause of this birth injury MOST
likely is:
a. hemiplegia
b. Erb-Duchenne paralysis
c. Spinal Cord Injury
d. Klumpke’s paralysis
48. A patient has pain, swelling and tenderness in the medial
border of the hand. The patient also shows changes in
the color and temperature of the skin, hyperhidrosis and
progressive joint stiffness in the wrist and hand. The
MOST likely cause of the patient’s signs and symptoms
is:
a. cervical disc disease
b. raynaud’s phenomenon
c. reflex sympathetic dystrophy
d. carpal tunnel syndrome
49. A 14-month old child with brachial nerve palsy has motor
and sensory loss in the right upper extremity in the areas
innervated by C5 & C6. Which of the following activities
is MOST difficult to accomplish with the affected upper
extremity?
a. Pushing a wagon
b. Carrying a teddy bear in the crook of the arm
c. Holding a raisin in the palm of the hand
d. Grasping a cup
50. A patient who is transported to the physical therapy
department in a wheelchair complains of severe, bilateral
lower extremity pain. A purple discoloration of both feet
is observed. The pain is relieved when the patient’s feet
are raised just above the horizontal plane. These signs
are MOST indicative of:
a. arterial insufficiency
b. intermittent claudication
c. venous insufficiency
d. a psychosomatic episode