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National Physical Therapist Assistant Flashcards

7 cards from real NPTE-PTA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 National Physical Therapist Assistant flashcards as text

  1. A patient with a T6 complete spinal cord injury is performing wheelchair pushups for pressure relief. What is the MINIMUM recommended frequency for this activity?

    Answer: Every 15 minutes

    Patients with complete SCI at T6 should perform pressure relief every 15 minutes to prevent pressure injuries.

  2. A patient is referred for TENS following knee surgery. Which TENS parameter setting is MOST appropriate for acute postoperative pain control?

    Answer: High frequency (80-150 Hz), sensory intensity

    Conventional TENS uses high frequency (80-150 Hz) at sensory (non-painful) intensity and is the first choice for acute postoperative pain.

  3. When measuring the girth of the lower extremity for compression stocking fitting, the PTA should measure the calf at which location?

    Answer: At the point of maximum circumference

    Calf girth for compression stocking fitting is measured at the point of maximum circumference to ensure proper fit.

  4. A PTA is treating a patient using ultrasound over scar tissue on the dorsum of the hand. Which duty cycle should be used to maximize collagen extensibility without heating superficial tissue excessively?

    Answer: 50% pulsed

    A 50% pulsed duty cycle provides thermal effects sufficient to increase collagen extensibility while reducing the risk of superficial tissue overheating.

  5. During gait training, a patient with a right transtibial amputation demonstrates excessive lateral trunk bending to the right during stance. Which prosthetic cause is MOST likely?

    Answer: Prosthesis is too short

    A prosthesis that is too short causes the patient to lean toward the prosthetic side (lateral trunk bending) during stance to compensate for leg length discrepancy.

  6. A patient with COPD is receiving pulmonary rehabilitation. The PTA should STOP exercise and notify the supervising PT if the patient's SpO2 drops below what threshold?

    Answer: 88%

    Exercise should be stopped and the supervising PT notified if SpO2 drops below 88% in a COPD patient, indicating significant oxygen desaturation.

  7. Which proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) technique involves alternating contraction of agonist and antagonist muscles without relaxation?

    Answer: Rhythmic stabilization

    Rhythmic stabilization involves alternating isometric contractions of agonists and antagonists to improve joint stability and proprioception.