NPTE-PTA Practice Questions (2026) — Free Sample Questions with Answers

Answer: B

Within normal limits for age, with low risk for falls: Incorrect. A score of 41 is well below the commonly used cutoff of 45.

Below the usual cutoff of 45, showing increased fall risk: Correct. Berg scores under 45 of 56 are widely used to identify older adults at higher risk for falls.

Not valid, since the Berg is meant only for patients after stroke: Incorrect. The Berg was developed for and is validated in community-dwelling older adults, as well as other groups.

A sign that the patient needs a wheelchair for all mobility: Incorrect. A Berg score alone does not decide device needs; that is a PT decision based on the full examination.

Berg Balance Scale: 0–56 points; below 45 is the classic cutoff for increased fall risk in older adults.

Answer: C

Do active ankle pumps and calf stretches to improve venous return: Incorrect. Exercising a limb with a possible DVT can dislodge a clot; the session should not go on as planned.

Apply a moist hot pack to the calf and continue the planned session: Incorrect. Heat over a suspected DVT is inappropriate and delays medical evaluation.

Hold the session and promptly notify the PT and the physician: Correct. These signs suggest a DVT; activity of the limb is held and the patient needs prompt medical evaluation (e.g., duplex ultrasound).

Massage the calf gently to reduce swelling, then reassess: Incorrect. Massage over a possible thrombus is contraindicated because of embolism risk.

Suspected DVT (new calf pain, warmth, swelling after surgery or immobility): stop, do not massage or exercise the limb, notify the PT and physician.

Answer: D

Assist the transfer by pulling on the right arm, which provides a stable lever: Incorrect. Pulling on a flaccid arm stresses the joint capsule and is a common cause of hemiplegic shoulder pain.

Use overhead pulleys to keep full shoulder flexion range of motion: Incorrect. Overhead pulleys are linked to shoulder pain and impingement in hemiplegia.

Let the arm hang freely at the side so gravity can stretch the capsule: Incorrect. A dependent, unsupported arm worsens subluxation.

Support the arm with a lap tray or trough and avoid traction on it: Correct. Supporting the limb and never pulling on it protect the subluxed shoulder from further injury and pain.

Flaccid hemiplegic shoulder: support it (lap tray, arm trough, careful positioning) and never pull on the arm.

Answer: B

No gap, with the seat edge touching the popliteal fossa: Incorrect. A seat that touches the back of the knee can compress nerves and vessels and push the patient into a sacral sit.

About 2 to 3 inches between the seat edge and the knee: Correct. A 2–3 inch (about 5–7.5 cm) gap spreads pressure along the thigh without pressing on the popliteal area.

About 5 to 6 inches between the seat edge and the knee: Incorrect. A seat this short puts too much pressure on the buttocks and gives less thigh support.

Equal to the width of the hips plus 2 inches: Incorrect. Hip width plus about 2 inches is the rule for seat width, not depth.

Wheelchair fit: seat depth leaves 2–3 in behind the knee; seat width = hip width + about 2 in; armrest height = elbow at 90° + about 1 in.

Answer: B

Drug under the positive electrode (anode) placed over the epicondyle: Incorrect. Like charges repel; a negatively charged drug placed under the anode would not be driven into the tissue.

Drug under the negative electrode (cathode) over the epicondyle: Correct. Dexamethasone sodium phosphate is negatively charged, so it is delivered from the cathode, which repels it into the tissue.

Drug under both electrodes using alternating current: Incorrect. Iontophoresis requires continuous direct current; alternating current does not drive ions one way.

Drug under the dispersive pad far from the epicondyle: Incorrect. The drug goes under the active electrode over the target tissue, not the return electrode.

Iontophoresis uses continuous DC: place the drug under the electrode with the same charge (dexamethasone = negative = cathode).

Answer: C

Cover the error with correction fluid and write the right value above it: Incorrect. Hiding the original entry is unacceptable in a legal record.

Tear out the page and rewrite the whole note on a new form: Incorrect. Removing pages from a medical record can look like tampering.

Draw one line through it, write the correction, then initial and date: Correct. One line keeps the original readable, and the initials and date show who corrected it and when.

Write over the old numbers firmly so only the new value shows: Incorrect. Writing over the original hides it and makes the entry unclear.

Correct paper documentation errors with one line, the correct information, initials and date; never erase, hide or remove entries.