NPTE-PTA Equipment, Devices & Technologies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When measuring a patient for a manual wheelchair, seat width should be:
- Equal to the widest point of the hips
- 1-2 inches wider than the widest point of the hips (Correct answer)
- 3-4 inches wider than the widest point of the hips
- Equal to the patient's shoulder width
Correct answer: 1-2 inches wider than the widest point of the hips
Seat width should be 1-2 inches wider than the widest part of the hips or thighs, allowing comfortable seating without excessive lateral movement or pressure.
Question 2: Which wheelchair component MOST directly prevents a patient from sliding forward out of the chair?
- Pressure-relieving seat cushion
- Padded armrests
- Anti-tipping devices
- Lap/seat belt (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Lap/seat belt
A lap belt is the primary restraint for preventing forward sliding out of the wheelchair, directly securing the patient at the pelvis.
Question 3: For a standing pivot transfer from wheelchair to mat table, the wheelchair should be positioned at what angle to the surface?
- Parallel (0 degrees)
- 45 degrees (Correct answer)
- 90 degrees (perpendicular)
- 135 degrees
Correct answer: 45 degrees
A 45-degree angle minimizes the arc of rotation needed to complete the transfer, reducing physical demands on both the patient and clinician.
Question 4: Pressure-relieving wheelchair cushions are MOST critical for patients with:
- Lower extremity spasticity
- Impaired trunk stability
- Sensory deficits and impaired self-repositioning ability (Correct answer)
- Upper extremity weakness only
Correct answer: Sensory deficits and impaired self-repositioning ability
Patients with sensory deficits cannot detect pressure discomfort and impaired mobility prevents self-repositioning, placing them at the highest risk for pressure injuries.
Question 5: Before initiating a mechanical lift transfer, the PTA's FIRST action should be to:
- Position the sling under the patient
- Verify the lift's weight capacity rating (Correct answer)
- Lower the bed to its lowest position
- Remove all IV lines and monitoring leads
Correct answer: Verify the lift's weight capacity rating
Verifying the mechanical lift's weight capacity before use is a mandatory safety check to ensure the equipment can safely support the patient's body weight.
Question 6: A tilt-in-space wheelchair differs from a reclining wheelchair because tilt-in-space systems:
- Allow the seat-to-back angle to open during recline
- Rotate the entire seating system while maintaining the seat-to-back angle (Correct answer)
- Are only appropriate for pediatric populations
- Provide greater independent mobility than reclining chairs
Correct answer: Rotate the entire seating system while maintaining the seat-to-back angle
Tilt-in-space systems rotate the whole seating unit together, preserving the hip angle and reducing shear forces, unlike reclining systems that open the seat-to-back angle.
Question 7: Which wheelchair type is MOST appropriate for a patient with strong upper extremities who prioritizes independent self-propulsion?
- Standard power wheelchair
- Transport (attendant-propelled) wheelchair
- Ultra-lightweight manual wheelchair (Correct answer)
- Heavy-duty bariatric wheelchair
Correct answer: Ultra-lightweight manual wheelchair
An ultra-lightweight manual wheelchair requires the least propulsion energy due to its reduced weight, making it ideal for active patients with good upper extremity strength.
NPTE-PTA Equipment, Devices & Technologies 2
When measuring a patient for a manual wheelchair, seat width should be: