Physical Therapy Assistant Practice Exam

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Study for the Physical Therapy Assistant Exam. Sharpen your skills with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with detailed hints and explanations. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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What is an important instructional step for teaching wheelchair propulsion up an incline?

Instruct the patient to keep their body flat
Advise the patient to lean forward for balance
Encourage the patient to pull with their arms
Suggest that the patient avoid using the brakes

The correct answer is: Advise the patient to lean forward for balance

Leaning forward while propelling a wheelchair up an incline is crucial for maintaining balance and stability. This position helps to counteract the force of gravity acting on the wheelchair, which tends to pull it backward. By shifting their weight forward, the patient can lower their center of gravity and improve their control over the wheelchair, reducing the risk of tipping over or losing balance. Maintaining a forward lean also enables the patient to engage their upper body more effectively, facilitating a stronger and more coordinated propulsion stroke. This technique can enhance upward momentum allowing smoother ascents on inclines. Hence, advising patients to lean forward serves as an essential instructional cue, promoting both safety and efficiency in wheelchair mobility.