NPTE-PTA case studies
NPTE-PTA · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants (NPTE-PTA) is the licensing examination used by state licensing authorities to judge whether a candidate has the entry-level competence required to practice as a physical therapist assistant under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. FSBPT develops and administers the exam, but it does not decide who may sit for it: each state licensing authority sets its own eligibility criteria for licensure and for taking the NPTE, so two graduates of the same program can face different requirements depending on where they apply. The NPTE-PTA case studies are 5 cases and about 3,679 words.
1Day 2 After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Post-op Hemoglobin Drop and a Pain-Limited Knee
R, 68, is 2 days after an uncomplicated left total knee arthroplasty. Chart review: hemoglobin 8.1 g/dL (pre-op 11.9), platelets 118,000, INR 2.4 on warfarin, eGFR 52.
768 words, about 4 min2Stroke Rehabilitation and Discharge Planning for a Patient Who Lives Alone Upstairs
L, 58, is 18 days after a left middle cerebral artery stroke. Right hemiparesis: shoulder flexion 2/5, elbow extension 2/5, hip flexion 3/5, ankle dorsiflexion 1/5 with two beats of clonus.
736 words, about 4 min3Acute COPD Exacerbation: Designing a Session Around Desaturation and Fear
T, 71, was admitted 4 days ago with an acute exacerbation of COPD (GOLD 3, FEV1 38% predicted). He is on 2 L/min nasal cannula, ipratropium/albuterol every 6 hours, prednisone 40 mg daily, and started azithromycin yesterday.
726 words, about 4 min4A Dry Black Heel Eschar in a Patient With Diabetes and Peripheral Arterial Disease
S, 74, is admitted with a pressure injury over the right heel measuring 3.5 by 2.8 cm, covered by a dry, firmly adherent black eschar. Right ankle-brachial index is 0.62; left is 0.95.
731 words, about 4 min5Outpatient Deconditioning in End-Stage Kidney Disease: Timing Exercise Around Dialysis
A, 59, has end-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, type 2 diabetes, and a recent three-week hospitalization for fluid overload. He attends outpatient physical therapy twice weekly for deconditioning and wants to "get strong fast." Today is a dialysis day: he arrives directly from treatment, and his post-dialysis weight is 3.1 kg below his target dry weight.
718 words, about 4 min