Free National Physical Therapist Assistant Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The therapist should start from the following while doing lymphatic drainage techniques:
- Anterior to posterior
- Posterior to anterior
- Proximal to distal (Correct answer)
- Distal to proximal
Correct answer: Proximal to distal
Proximal to distal lymphatic drainage procedures are used to re-route fluid away from obstructed locations and toward regions that can drain more easily.
Question 2: A third-trimester pregnant lady being treated by a therapist for sciatic nerve discomfort claims that today's swelling in her feet is worse. The therapist applies pressure to the distal, anterior lower extremity before releasing it. A 2 mm indentation is caused by the pressure before it instantly recovers. This fits into the category of:
- Grade 1 Pitting Edema (Correct answer)
- Grade 2 Pitting Edema
- Grade 3 Pitting Edema
- Non-pitting edema
Correct answer: Grade 1 Pitting Edema
The characteristics of grade 1 pitting edema include pitting of 2mm or less, little discernible deformation, and swift rebound.
Question 3: Which workout intensity monitoring device is the most precise when working with a patient who is taking beta blockers?
- Borg rate of perceived exertion (Correct answer)
- Blood Pressure
- Heart rate
- Berg dyspnea scale
Correct answer: Borg rate of perceived exertion
The heart rate of a patient is slowed by beta blockers. Heart rate is therefore not a reliable indicator of exercise intensity for these people. The best method for gauging exercise intensity is the Borg rate of perceived exertion scale.
Question 4: The best technique to help a patient in sub-acute rehabilitation who has had a posterior total hip arthroplasty with mild dementia observe hip precautions is:
- Have the patient demonstrate movements to avoid to reinforce memory.
- Have the patient verbalize hip precautions at beginning and end of each session.
- Print handouts for caregivers and patients as well as verbalizing precautions multiple times throughout the session. (Correct answer)
- Print handouts for the patient on hip precautions.
Correct answer: Print handouts for caregivers and patients as well as verbalizing precautions multiple times throughout the session.
The patient and the caregivers receive reinforcement from the response in a number of different ways. It is improper to ask the patient to display hip precautions because you do not want the patient to make movements that violate precaution.
Question 5: Which of the following is the best assistive equipment for a patient who was once very active but now has mild hemiplegia as a result of a right hemisphere CVA? The patient has MMT 4+/5 in both the upper and lower extremities on the unaffected side.
- Rolling walker with platform on the left side.
- Hemi walker used in the right hand (Correct answer)
- Hem walker used in the left hand
- Single point cane used in the right hand
Correct answer: Hemi walker used in the right hand
A hemi walker is the greatest option because of the patient's prior degree of function and generally good strength on the unaffected side. Hemi walkers ought to be used with caution. Deficits on the left side of the brain will come from CVAs on the right side of the brain.
Question 6: Which drug from the list below would be applied to the anode during iontophoresis?
- Lidocaine (Correct answer)
- Acetic Acid
- Dexamethasone
- Calcium Chloride
Correct answer: Lidocaine
Iontophoresis requires pulling the medicine in the desired direction. The negatively charged electrode (anode) needs a positively charged substance applied to it because opposing charges attract and like charges repel. The only positively charged option is lidocaine.
Question 7: Which frequency would be appropriate for an ultrasound on the achilles tendon for tendonitis?
- 1MHz because the injury is not superficial
- 3MHz because the injury is superficial (Correct answer)
- 3MHz because the injury is not superficial
- 1MHz because the injury is superficial
Correct answer: 3MHz because the injury is superficial
For deep injuries with therapeutic ultrasounds, a frequency of 1MHz is employed, and for superficial injuries, a frequency of 3MHz. The optimal frequency is 3MHz due to the superficial nature of the achilles tendon.
The therapist should start from the following while doing lymphatic drainage techniques: