NPTE-PTA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NPTE-PTA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. During normal gait, when does the center of mass reach its lowest point? → During loading response (foot flat)
2. Which workout intensity monitoring device is the most precise when working with a patient who is taking beta blockers? → Borg rate of perceived exertion
3. Which assistive device provides the most stability for a patient who is non-weight-bearing on the right lower extremity? → Standard walker
4. What transfer technique is safest for a dependent patient moving from bed to wheelchair? → Mechanical (hoyer) lift transfer
5. Which phase of wound healing is primarily characterized by fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis? → Proliferative phase
6. Which cranial nerve palsy causes an inability to abduct the eye (lateral gaze palsy)? → CN VI
7. The therapist should start from the following while doing lymphatic drainage techniques: → Proximal to distal
8. Which parameter in electrical stimulation determines the duration of each individual pulse? → Pulse duration (width)
9. Which gait pattern is safest for a patient who is touch-down weight-bearing (TDWB) using axillary crutches on a staircase going up? → Lead with the unaffected leg up, then bring crutches and affected leg
10. Which sensory system is primarily affected when a patient fails the Romberg test with eyes closed but passes with eyes open? → Proprioception
11. Which of the following is a contraindication for the use of electrical stimulation? → Active malignancy in the treatment area
12. Which modality is contraindicated over a cardiac pacemaker? → Interferential current (IFC)
13. A patient has been prescribed forearm crutches. At what height should the forearm cuff be positioned? → 1–1.5 inches below the elbow
14. Which type of skin graft uses donor skin harvested from a deceased human donor (cadaveric skin)? → Allograft (homograft)
15. Which gait deviation is commonly seen in a patient with weak hip extensors (gluteus maximus)? → Backward trunk lean at initial contact
16. Glenohumeral mobilization is being performed by a therapist to enhance internal rotation. The ideal configuration for using this manual technique is: → Patient in supine, arm at 45 degrees abduction, posterior glide
17. Which wound characteristic represents a PRIMARY contraindication to pulsed lavage wound irrigation? → Exposed vasculature or tendons without protective paratenon
18. Which parameter determines the frequency of ultrasound and affects depth of penetration? → Frequency (MHz)
19. A PTA uses therapeutic ultrasound on a deep wound cavity (approximately 4 cm depth). Which frequency is MOST appropriate? → 1 MHz
20. A PTA inspects a wound and notes all of the following. Which finding is a sign of HEALTHY wound progression rather than infection? → Pink-red granulation tissue filling the wound bed
21. A patient performing ADL training is unable to reach overhead due to limited shoulder ROM. Which adaptive strategy is most appropriate? → Use a reacher/grabber device to extend functional reach
22. Which balance assessment tool uses a 14-item ordinal scale and is commonly used to predict fall risk in older adults? → Berg Balance Scale
23. What is the primary role of the physical therapist assistant during prosthetic training for a patient with a transtibial amputation? → Implement the gait training program established by the supervising PT
24. Which percussion finding over the lung fields indicates pneumothorax? → Hyperresonance (tympany)
25. What is the close-packed position of the knee joint? → Full extension with tibial external rotation
26. In a patient with foot drop following a common peroneal nerve injury, which orthosis is most appropriate? → Ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) with dorsiflexion assist
27. A PTA is treating a patient with lateral epicondylitis. Which structure is most commonly involved? → Extensor carpi radialis brevis
28. A patient taking beta-blockers will have which response during exercise testing? → Blunted heart rate response to exercise
29. Which nerve is compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome? → Median nerve
30. What is the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test cutoff score associated with increased fall risk in community-dwelling older adults? → 12 seconds