NPTE-PTA Equipment, Devices & Technologies 3

Question 1

An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) that prevents plantarflexion while permitting dorsiflexion is MOST beneficial for a patient with:

Accepted Answer

Foot drop during the swing phase of gait

Answer

A dorsiflexion-assist or solid AFO set in neutral prevents foot drop during swing phase by keeping the foot from plantarflexing and catching the ground.

Question 2

A patient with a transtibial (below-knee) amputation demonstrates lateral trunk lean toward the prosthetic side during stance. This is MOST likely caused by a prosthetic foot set in:

Accepted Answer

Excessive plantarflexion

Answer

Excessive plantarflexion of the prosthetic foot creates a functionally shorter limb during stance, causing the patient to lean toward the prosthesis to maintain balance.

Question 3

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is MOST appropriate for which patient goal?

Accepted Answer

Reduction of chronic low back pain

Answer

TENS is primarily used for pain modulation through gate control or endogenous opioid mechanisms, making pain reduction its most well-supported clinical application.

Question 4

Which TENS parameter setting is associated with the gate control theory of pain modulation?

Accepted Answer

High frequency (80-150 Hz) at low intensity producing paresthesia

Answer

Conventional (high-frequency, low-intensity) TENS activates large-diameter Aβ sensory fibers that inhibit nociceptive transmission in the dorsal horn via gate control.

Question 5

When applying a hydrocollator (moist heat) pack, how many layers of dry toweling are recommended between the pack and the patient's skin?

Accepted Answer

6-8 layers

Answer

Six to eight layers of dry toweling (or a commercial hydrocollator cover equivalent) are required to insulate the patient's skin from the high temperature of the pack and prevent thermal burns.

NPTE-PTA Test Practice Test

NPTE-PTA Test Practice Test

NPTE-PTA Equipment, Devices & Technologies 3