Physical Therapy Evaluation Tool (PEAT) 3 Practice Exam

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Which statement best describes objective measures used to track progress in PT evaluation?
• During gait evaluation, the patient excessively lateral bends toward the right during midstance on the right. To test the suspected muscle for normal strength (5/5), the patient should FIRST be positioned:
• A patient who recently underwent abdominal surgery presents with a low-grade fever. Which examination should be performed FIRST before continuing therapy?
• An ankle-foot orthosis that allows ankle joint motion while supporting the foot and ankle during gait is MOST accurately described as which of the following?
• A physical therapist reviewing a patient in the ICU notes a Doppler study order for the left leg. What is the MOST appropriate course of action?
• Which statement best describes the cardiovascular response to steady-rate exercise in a healthy adult?
• Following a mild myocardial infarction, to monitor exercise intensity during a home-based program on a stationary bike and treadmill, which measure should be used?
• Healthy adults typically have a gait speed greater than 1.0 m/s.
• Which test is used to assess the upper limb nerve tension in radiculopathy?
• Describe a thorough gait assessment.
• Which symptom in a patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis warrants immediate medical evaluation?
• Which joint is indicated by the arrow in radiographic assessment of the ankle region?
• A patient with an L4-L5 posterolateral herniated nucleus pulposus is MOST likely to have sensory deficits in which location?
• The work modification shown in the photograph is MOST appropriate for a patient with which of the following pathologies?
• Which safety consideration is essential during a PT evaluation?
• A physical therapist takes a history from a patient with low back pain. Which question is BEST to identify inflammatory characteristics?
• Which set of signs best indicates a need for further neurovascular assessment?
• Prognosis for knee osteoarthritis should consider what in addition to physical measures?
• A patient who had a complete spinal cord injury uses knee-ankle-foot orthoses and forearm crutches. The patient asks how to correctly descend 1 step. Which action is MOST appropriate to take?
• The result of which nerve tension test is MOST likely to be positive for a waiter who has hand pain when carrying trays overhead?
• How is manual muscle testing graded, and what should you do if the patient cannot complete the test?
• Four weeks after knee surgery, which neuromuscular electrical stimulation parameters are correct for quadriceps strengthening?
• During informed consent, which item is NOT required to be disclosed?
• Which measure is part of the cervical radiculopathy evaluation related to range of motion?
• When is it typically appropriate for a patient to begin overhead lifting after open rotator cuff repair?
• During gait assessment, a Trendelenburg sign indicates weakness of which muscle group?
• What is pain neuroscience education (PNE), and why is it relevant in PT evaluation?
• An 8-month pregnant patient has abdominal diastasis recti with a separation of 1.5 inches. Which initial supine exercise is most appropriate for abdominal strengthening?
• To minimize accommodation during electrical stimulation of a neurapraxia, the therapist should:
• Which practice supports inter-rater reliability in documentation?
• In an initial assessment of a patient with acute low back pain of somatic origin, which finding would best support a non-urgent physical therapy approach?
• Under what circumstances should imaging or medical referral be considered based on PT evaluation findings?
• During sit-to-stand transfer training in a patient with acute renal failure who is on ECG monitoring, the appearance of a single unsustained, unifocal premature ventricular contraction (PVC) is best managed by:
• Which artery is palpated to assess distal foot perfusion?
• During transfer training from bed to chair for a patient who had a total knee arthroplasty 2 days ago, the monitor alarms and premature ventricular contractions have developed. What is the BEST action at this time?
• A 22 year-old patient is hospitalized awaiting a lung transplant due to cystic fibrosis. The objective measure of preoperative endurance that is MOST appropriate to administer is:
• Which assessment tool BEST predicts functional outcome for a patient with traumatic brain injury being discharged home?
• One month after a traumatic spinal cord injury, a patient experiences severe pounding headache with hypertension and bradycardia while standing. The most appropriate immediate action by the therapist is to:
• Which component is typically performed after subjective history in a standard PT initial evaluation?
• How is impairment different from functional limitation in PT documentation?
• How can central sensitization be identified during evaluation?
• A patient who had arthroscopic knee surgery 6 weeks ago currently has passive knee range of motion of 25° to 125° with pain at the end of the available range. Which of the following joint mobilization procedures is MOST appropriate for this patient?
• How can progress be measured without relying solely on patient-reported data?
• In rheumatoid arthritis, which description is least typical?
• Which scenario demonstrates essential PT-physician collaboration?
• A patient presents with yellowing of the sclera indicating possible hepatic dysfunction. Which organ is most likely affected?
• A patient who sustained a right cerebrovascular accident presents with a flaccid arm. During muscle testing, the patient is able to shrug the left shoulder. The MOST accurate explanation for shoulder movement is that the right cerebrovascular accident:
• A patient with a four-month history of low back pain reports difficulty sleeping, fear that pain will never improve, and irritability. To whom should you refer?
• An outpatient cardiac rehabilitation patient presents with a fungal infection on both feet not improving with 5 days of over-the-counter ointment. What is the correct action for the physical therapist?
• In phase II of a cardiac rehabilitation program, a patient on a beta blocker and antidepressants has pre-exercise HR 62 bpm, BP 110/75 mmHg, and RPE 6/20. After 10 minutes of aerobic exercise, HR is 68 bpm, BP 120/70 mmHg, RPE 14/20. Which initial action is MOST appropriate?
• How would you present justification for initiating an exercise program based on evaluation findings?
• A 50 year-old patient had an uncomplicated open repair of a rotator cuff tear 2 weeks ago. The patient asks the physical therapist when the shoulder will be normal again. Which of the following expected outcome time frames MOST accurately addresses this patient's question?
• A patient who had a complete spinal cord injury 1 week ago is referred to physical therapy for transfer training. The examination shows Good (4/5) upper extremity strength, Zero (0/5) lower extremity strength, and fair sitting balance. Which transfer is most appropriate to utilize INITIALLY with this patient?
• In a child with a brain tumor, the right eye deviates medially due to impairment of which cranial nerve?
• Which joint is the talocrural joint formed by?
• A patient reports dizziness and blurred vision when turning the head to either the left or the right. The patient has no problem when the head is kept still while walking. Which of the following systems is MOST likely involved?
• What does MCID stand for in physical therapy outcomes?
• Which of the following is NOT typically considered in the differential diagnosis for shoulder pain?
• Two weeks after permanent prosthesis fitting, the patient reports the prosthesis feels heavy. Which action would most benefit the patient?
• Which nerve root level most commonly contributes to weakness of the gluteus medius?
• During gait evaluation, the patient leans forward after heel strike. The forward bending is MOST likely a compensation for weakness of which muscle group?
• A patient presents with knee pain and limited extension 6 weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery. Which mobilization is MOST appropriate to improve knee extension?
• Which posture is MOST likely to relieve symptoms in a patient with lumbar spinal stenosis during ambulation?
• Which items should be included in the cardiovascular/pulmonary systems review during evaluation?
• A positive Homan's sign is historically associated with which condition?
• A patient’s standing posture shows a right thoracolumbar scoliosis that is not present when seated. Which dysfunction is MOST likely the cause?
• A patient experiences shoulder pain when stocking overhead shelves but not at waist level. Which muscle is most likely weak?
• Which test is commonly used to evaluate cervical radiculopathy?
• During bilateral shoulder abduction, the therapist notes the right scapula is more abducted than the left at end range. The most likely cause is which of the following?
• Which stretching technique is BEST for addressing an anteriorly tilting pelvis caused by muscle shortness?
• Which pulmonary function measure represents the maximum amount of air a person can inspire after a normal expiration?
• During gait assessment, testing stairs or dual tasks primarily evaluates what?
• A patient with premature fusion of cranial sutures presenting with torticollis is most consistent with which condition?
• Which lung region should be identified for documentation if crackles are heard at the right upper chest area near the third intercostal space and right midclavicular line?
• Which device is MOST appropriate for a patient who must remain non-weight-bearing on one leg and needs to be mobile at home?
• A gait observation of a transtibial prosthesis shows knee hyperextension at heel strike. What is the most likely cause?
• What is joint protection and how is it integrated into evaluation?
• A physical therapist is working on progressive functional mobility with a patient who had a transverse colectomy 2 days ago. The patient has developed a low grade fever. What is the MOST appropriate examination for the physical therapist to perform, prior to continuation of the patient's intervention?
• Sensory-level electrical stimulation is MOST appropriate for which of the following conditions?
• The parent of a 4 year-old child who has myelomeningocele is interested in obtaning orthoses for gait training. The child has an L1 neurological level lesion. Which of the following orthoses is the MOST appropriate selection for discussion?
• Which of the following are red flags that would necessitate referral during a PT initial evaluation?
• What elements should be included in the Assessment section of the PEAT 3 evaluation?
• Which EMG signal processing method would provide the best measure of the quantity of muscle activity during a planned activity?
• A patient has pronounced weakness of the muscles of mastication on the left. A lesion in which cranial nerve is MOST likely the cause of this impairment?
• Which description describes the correct physical examination technique to assess tissue hydration in the hand?
• Which test is used to assess knee ligament integrity?
• For adhesive capsulitis rehab, which approach should be started first to minimize pain and maintain mobility?
• Which pulmonary function test measures the average total amount of air moved during inspiration of normal breathing?
• During pregnancy with abdominal diastasis recti, which exercise is contraindicated due to increased intra-abdominal pressure?
• In which scenarios is PT collaboration with physicians essential?
• To provide strapping support for an inversion ankle sprain, which tendons should be covered by the tape?
• External validity concerns generalizability of study findings. Which statement best describes external validity?
• Which of the following is typically included in the tests and measures component of a PT evaluation?
• In a patient with suspected cranial nerve III palsy presenting with ptosis and diplopia, which cranial nerve function is most likely abnormal?
• A clean, well-granulating Stage II pressure ulcer with minimal serous drainage is best dressed with which option?
• When testing a deep tendon reflex in a patient with a partial nerve injury, which reflex grade is most likely?
• To assess the length of the rectus femoris muscle, which position is commonly used for testing?
• A physical therapist is planning a 3-session educational series on physical therapy evaluation of the low back for fourth year medical students. Which of following is MOST important to include in the first session?
• Which of the following ranges of motion is MOST important to obtain for an individual with a T12 spinal cord injury to walk?
• Which documentation format is commonly used for PT evaluations?
• How does differential diagnosis guide PT practice in the PEAT 3 context?
• A patient comes to physical therapy for intervention for an ulcer on the right medial malleolus. On inspection, the legs have normal skin temperature and brownish pigmentation. The patient MOST likely also has:
• Why is documentation consistency important for inter-rater reliability?
• Which statement correctly identifies gait and balance measures?
• Why is it important to measure both AROM and PROM in a PT evaluation?
• Note: This entry was intended to fill to 15 items but would duplicate content. No additional unique item is provided.
• What does the plan section of a SOAP note typically outline?
• What should be included in the discharge criteria section of the plan?
• Which subjective report from a patient with rheumatoid arthritis indicates the need for further medical examination by a physician?
• A patient with Parkinson's disease demonstrates shortness of breath with activity. Which of the following tests is MOST appropriate for the physical therapist to perform to help delineate a cause for the patient's shortness of breath?
• A patient presents with insidious shoulder pain and yellowish sclera and skin on examination. The physical therapist should refer the patient for probable primary dysfunction of the:
• During gait analysis, a shorter step length is observed on the right. Which problem is most likely the cause?
• To reduce knee valgus during activities, which hip abductor exercise is most effective?
• Which statement about the 0–5 MMT scale is accurate?
• Which position is BEST to assess the length of the rectus femoris muscle?
• In the assessment, how are functional limitations used?
• In manual muscle testing, which statement best describes the 0–5 scale?
• Which action is the most appropriate progression for ROM in a burn patient with limited active movement, where active ROM previously engaged through one-third of shoulder flexion?
• In auscultation, crackles heard at the third intercostal space and the right midclavicular line. Which region of the lung should be documented?
• What steps help differentiate cervical radiculopathy from referred thoracic pain?
• A physical therapist applies transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for shoulder pain radiating to the elbow. Initial relief is followed by return of pain. To prevent nerve accommodation, the therapist should FIRST:
• How should contradictory data from history and exam be handled?
• When projecting prognosis for knee osteoarthritis, which factors should be considered?
• Which condition MOST likely explains this presentation: two weeks of constant left lower quadrant abdominal pain sometimes refers to the low back, pelvis, and left lower extremity, plus low-grade fever and recent bloody, loose stools?
• How should evaluation incorporate cultural considerations?
• Which sleeping position is least appropriate for a patient with right glenohumeral joint anterior/inferior hypermobility and subacromial impingement?
• In a private practice, a patient sustains a severe laceration to the forearm. The therapist applies a pressure dressing, but blood soaks through the dressing and bandage. Which action should be performed NEXT?
• Which pulmonary parameter best corresponds to the additional air that can be inhaled after a normal inspiration?
• A patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis completes a 6-minute walk test showing a drop in oxygen saturation from 98% to 92%, with increased respiratory rate and heart rate. The impairment is best described as:
• What should timeframes in the plan of care be based on?
• A patient with which of the following diagnoses would MOST likely benefit from pursed-lip breathing during exercise?
• A reflex test is performed and the result indicates an injury to the spinal cord. This finding most directly suggests involvement of:
• A rehabilitation program for a patient with ankylosing spondylitis should anticipate that as the disease progresses, the patient is MOST likely to require:
• A physical therapist is evaluating a patient who had a right lower lobe resection yesterday. During auscultation the therapist notes decreased low-pitched crackles bilaterally. The patient’s SpO2 is 92% on 2 liters of oxygen. Which action should the therapist take NEXT?
• In a COPD endurance training program, what safety parameter is most important to monitor?
• A patient with peripheral vascular disease presents for evaluation and intervention. The patient used to walk for exercise but can no longer walk to the mailbox without leg pain. This patient will MOST likely also have:
• In the PT evaluation, which elements are included when integrating psychosocial and socioeconomic factors?
• Name a contraindication or caution for manual therapy in PT evaluation.
• Which assessment scale is used to describe cognitive recovery levels after brain injury in rehabilitation?
• A patient has pain and weakness with overhead activities and positive impingement tests without evidence of a rotator cuff tear. Which intervention should be introduced FIRST in rehab?
• How should functional limitations be documented in PEAT 3?
• How should you justify the plan of care to a patient and to payer?
• A patient reports that their prosthesis feels heavier than expected two weeks after fitting. What is the most appropriate next step?
• Which activity should be avoided by a patient who had a posterolateral approach total hip arthroplasty 5 days postoperatively?
• During an initial evaluation, which of the following tests is MOST appropriate to perform with a patient who has acute right-sided congestive heart failure?
• Which functional outcome measures are commonly used for gait and balance in PT evaluations?
• Which statement best describes a short-term goal?
• A 9-month-old infant born at 28 weeks gestation should be able to perform which gross motor activity?
• A sensory deficit on the dorsum of the great toe would most likely be associated with involvement of which nerve root level?
• In addition to standard precautions, which precaution is specifically advised for a patient with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus when required to prevent transmission via surfaces?
• When should a clinician consider referring to another provider during evaluation?
• How is prognosis defined in physical therapy assessment?
• During evaluation, how should you determine the need for assistive devices or home modifications?
• A patient, who is a tennis player, has been receiving physical therapy intervention following an anterior capsular reconstruction of the dominant shoulder. The physical therapist determines that the patient is ready to begin dynamic stabilization exercises. Which of the following is an appropriate dynamic stabilization exercise for this patient?
• What is the normal grade for a deep tendon reflex in a healthy adult?
• Total-contact casting is most appropriate as an initial intervention for which condition?
• Which red flags would warrant referral during a PT evaluation?
• In an elderly patient with a recent C1 fracture from a fall, the rehabilitation prognosis should primarily be based on which factor?
• A physical therapist evaluates a patient with back pain and pes planus contributing to the pain. Which orthotic intervention is MOST appropriate for this patient?
• During physical therapy with a patient who has Raynaud's phenomenon, which intervention helps prevent digital ischemia during therapy?
• Why is protective sensation testing important in diabetes screening?
• What is the purpose of the systems review in PEAT 3?
• A patient undergoing mechanical intermittent cervical traction has a duty cycle of 20 seconds on and 10 seconds off. The patient reports increased pain each time the unit cycles on. What modification to the duty cycle is most appropriate?
• Which factors require caution when selecting tests for a patient with diabetes and neuropathy or vascular disease?
• To obtain informed consent for an intervention, the physical therapist must disclose to the patient all of the following EXCEPT which item?
• The physical therapy intervention of a patient with dark skin pigmentation includes superficial heat. After 5 minutes of this intervention, the physical therapist removes the heat and observes that the skin over the region being treated is blotchy with both darker and lighter areas. What is the MOST appropriate action for the physical therapist to take?
• During a grip test using a card between the thumb and index finger, results indicate weakness in which muscle?
• During initial evaluation of a patient with a five-year history of rheumatoid arthritis, how would the patient most likely describe pain?
• A patient fell and sustained an open reduction internal fixation of the right ankle and a brachial plexus injury with significant weakness in right C6-C7 myotomes, requiring non-weight-bearing on the right. Which assistive device is MOST appropriate?
• A patient presents with ptosis of the left eye, a lateral strabismus, and a dilated pupil on the left, with double vision. Which cranial nerve test is MOST likely abnormal?
• Define reliability and validity in PT outcome measures.
• What is gravity-minimized testing used for in manual muscle testing?
• Which activity should be AVOIDED by a patient who has undergone a total hip arthroplasty using a posterolateral approach 5 days ago?
• A 50 year-old patient with insulin resistance begins a conditioning program. Which initial exercise prescription is MOST appropriate?
• In physical therapy evaluation, how do prognosis and plan of care differ?
• For submaximal assessment of cardiopulmonary fitness, which test is most appropriate?
• To minimize risk of skin burns when using a moist hot pack, which approach is most appropriate?
• What is the typical order of components in an initial PT evaluation?
• During aerobic exercise for a patient on beta blockers, which measure remains most reliable to gauge exercise tolerance?
• Which items are included as primary components of the subjective history in a PEAT 3 evaluation?
• In a randomized trial of a balance training program, which issue would most threaten internal validity?
• Which statement BEST describes a dynamic stabilization exercise for the shoulder after capsular reconstruction?
• Discharge criteria statement
• Which combination of symptoms constitutes a neurologic red flag that requires urgent medical attention?
• Which finding would most strongly indicate the need for urgent referral due to possible cauda equina syndrome?
• On the first day after total knee arthroplasty, a continuous passive motion device is set from 0° to 40° of motion. The most appropriate reason to use this device is to what?
• If transportation or financial barriers are identified, what is an appropriate physical therapy plan?
• How is gait speed calculated in a 10-meter walk test?
• Which history item should increase the clinician’s suspicion of a thoracic compression fracture in an older patient with mid-thoracic pain after activity?
• To assess lower-extremity circulation manually, where should you palpate a peripheral pulse?
• Which of the following statements is an appropriately written short-term goal?
• In addition to standard precautions, which additional precaution should be observed when treating a patient with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus?
• Which question is MOST appropriate for a functional outcome measurement tool?
• What is the primary purpose of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in physical therapy evaluation?
• During steady-rate exercise, the blood pressure in a healthy individual typically responds by which pattern?
• Under standard precautions, gloves are required in which scenario?
• In knee osteoarthritis, the most important initial focus of exercise is strengthening which muscle group?
• Which cranial nerve is responsible for elevating the eyelid and most eye movements?
• A 3-month-old infant presents with poor midline head control, facial asymmetry, and restricted cervical rotation to the left with right lateral flexion. Radiology shows premature fusion of cranial sutures. This presentation is most consistent with:
• A patient who has had a split-thickness skin graft for a superficial partial-thickness burn has limited active shoulder flexion (about one-third ROM). What is the MOST appropriate action?
• During a supervised exercise program for a patient with COPD, what aspect should be monitored most closely?
• A patient describes bilateral posterior lower leg aching that resolves with sitting and is exacerbated by walking, especially down hills. What diagnosis is MOST likely responsible for this pain?
• Which of the following is NOT typically considered in the shoulder pain differential diagnosis?
• During hip range of motion assessment, passive ROM end points indicate the MOST likely cause of the hip dysfunction:
• What is the purpose of palpation in the evaluation?
• To acquire specific information about the visual status of a patient following an acute cerebrovascular accident, the physical therapist should refer to what section in a physician's admission note?
• Which of the following is a common differential diagnosis for acute low back pain?
• A physical therapist is educating a patient on the use of a moist hot pack for home treatment. To prevent burns and still receive the benefits of superficial heat, which time frame is MOST appropriate to recommend?
• What is the difference between selective tissue tension tests and neural mobility tests?
• Which finding would most strongly indicate the need to refer a patient with low back pain to a physician?
• If exam findings suggest a condition outside the PT scope, what is the recommended action?
• A patient has a large leg wound with copious exudate and no necrotic tissue after three weeks of therapy. Which dressing is most appropriate?
• If MMT cannot be performed due to pain or inability, what alternatives may be used?
• How should comorbidities influence evaluation and plan?
• When auscultating S1 and S2 heart sounds, which technique is MOST appropriate for the physical therapist to use?
• A patient with chest pain from suspected myocardial ischemia will MOST likely exhibit:
• If a patient demonstrates a shortened right step due to contralateral knee pain, which diagnosis best explains this gait pattern?
• What is the role of patient education in the evaluation process?
• Which diagnosis is most consistent with buttock pain that is aggravated by resisted hip external rotation and relieved with rest?
• In deciding whether to apply a study’s results to practice, which type of validity is of primary concern?
• A patient comes to physical therapy with a wound on the plantar aspect of the heel. The wound developed after stepping on a tack. It is round, 0.75 in (2 cm) in diameter, and shows no signs of infection. Which initial intervention is MOST appropriate?
• Which single symptom is a red flag indicating urgent medical attention for neurological involvement?