Exam 1 Flashcards
Why is the examination process important?
Helps determine the patient’s initial functional level
- also reveals interests and goals
What are the other rationales for the examination process? (3)
- set goals based on the findings in the exam
- re-evaluate functional level
- reset goals for the rehab plan
What is objective data?
What you see
- HR, BP, # of feet a person can walk (signs)
What is subjective data?
What the patient tells you
- I feel tired, im in pain, (symptoms)
What does the documentation consist of?
- Medical records
- Physical chart
- Communication tool w/ other health care providers
- it is legally required
True of False:
If it is not documented, it did not happen.
True
What do you NEED to include in the documentation of a patient?
- history
- outcomes measure questionnaire
- Inspection
- Palpation
- Joint and Muscle Function (ROM, MMT)
- Joint Stability Tests
- Special Tests (MD, PT, OT, KT)
- Neurologic Testing
- Vascular Screening
- Mobility tests
- Ability to perform ADLs
- Standardized testing
True or False:
You shouldn’t examine the right leg if the left leg is injured.
False, you must examine BOTH legs for comparison purposes.
Which limb should you measure first in the examination process and why?
Measure the non-injured limb first because this will decrease apprehension (nerves) and help the patient relax because he/she will know what to expect.
What are the 4 main special considerations for a clinical assessment?
- Keep modesty in mind if patient needs to wear a hospital gown. (patient needs to be comfortable)
- Keep patient covered as much as possible
- Religious and cultural considerations
- Physician’s order for KT (specifically)
True or False:
You always need a physician’s order when doing a clinical assessment.
True
True or False:
Medical records can be computerized or written.
True
When should you and should you not use open ended questions when assessing a patient?
SHOULD: to find more information about them to understand their situation better
SHOULD NOT: time running out, critical pain, bad mood
What does Past Medical History consist of?
- Medical records, Non-actue examinations
- health conditions, known pathologies
- previous injuries/surgeries
- predisposing factors
What do Previous History Questions consists of?
- Is there a history of injury to the body area? On either side?
- describe and compare current injury
- do the current symptoms duplicate the old symptoms? - Are there any possible sources of weakness from a previous injury?
What are the 4 main points of Past Medical Health?
- General medical health (current health status)
- Relevant illness and lab work (review radiology reports)
- Medications (what are they currently taking? CHECK VITALS)
- Smoking/heavy alc use (decrease exercise tolerance, increased risk for CVD, may delay healing time)
What does MOI stand for?
Mechanism of Injury
What is the difference between macrotrauma and microtrauma?
Macro: happens immediately
Micro: happens overtime
What should you document when dealing with pain?
- location
- type
- referred (heart, back, neck, arm)
- radicular
- daily pain patterns
- provocation and alleviation patterns
1. other symptoms
2. treatment to date
3. does the patient want to get better?
4. disability or limitations
What are the goals of the physical examination process? (2)
- physician determines clinical diagnosis
- therapist identifies impairments and functional limitations
When does inspection of the patient begin?
as soon as the patient walks through the doors
What does inspection consist of?
- gait
- posture
- function
- guarding
- splinting
- walking aids
How should you palpate a patient with pain?
bilaterally moving out to towards the pain
What should you look at in a physical examination?
- deformities
- swelling
- skin condition(s)
- signs of infection
What does the joint and muscle function assessment function involve?
- AROM
- PROM
- MMT
- Joint stability tests (stress test, joint play)
What is laxity?
clinical sign of the amount of “give” within a joint
What is instability?
joint’s inability to function under the stresses of functional activity
What is hypomobile?
below normal laxity
What is hypermobile?
above normal laxity
What are special tests?
Specific tests designed to indicate particular injuries or problems. These tests can either decrease or increase symptoms. Reported as positive or negative.
What is dermatone?
area of skin innervated by a spinal nerve root
How is sensory testing performed?
- patients eyes are closed
- use of feeling in the skin (dull or sharp feeling from an object)
True or False:
If one muscle is weak, suspect muscle pathology or peripheral nerve pathology.
True
True or False:
If both muscles are weak, suspect nerve root or peripheral nerve pathology.
True
In reflex testing, an increased response leads to …
higher motor neuron lesion
In reflex testing, a decreased response leads to …
lower motor neuron lesion
In deep tendon reflex (DTR), how should it be performed?
- muscle stretched and relaxed
- patient should look away
- strike tendon with reflex hammer
- Jendrassik maneuver for difficult patients (distract them from area being tested)
What does bed mobility testing consist of?
rolling left and right, scooting, moving, supine to sit, sit to stand
What do transfers testing consist of?
bed to chair
chair to chair
wheel chair to toilet
wheel chair to car
What do gait evaluation testings consist of?
stability, level of dependence, distance, velocity
What are the 3 normal curvatures of the spine?
- lordotic (cervical)
- kyphotic (thoracic)
- lordotic (lumbar)
What are the facet joints?
the connections between the bones of the spine
What are the intervertebral foramen?
the holes where the nerves run through
What is nerve plexus?
a branching or intersecting of efferent and afferent nerve fibers
Where is the lumbar plexus and what does it innervate?
T12-L5
innervated anterior and medial muscles of the
- thigh
- medial leg
- foot
L2-L4
- posterior branches form the femoral nerve, innervates hip flexors and knee extensors
- anterior branches form the obturator nerve, innervates hip adductors
Where is the lateral cutaneous nerve and what does it innervate?
L2-L3
innervates the lateral part of the thigh
Where is the sacral plexus and what does it innervate?
L4-S3
innervates the buttocks, posterior thigh, and entire lower leg
Where is the sciatic nerve and what is special about it?
L4-S3
longest and widest nerve in the body, can feel pain, burning, tingling, and numbness when damaged
What are the following symptoms of a vertebral disc lesion?
- loss of water
- decreased protein
- altering chemical structure
What is a disc herneation?
extrusion of the nucleus pulposus through the annulus fibrosus
True or False:
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal or intervertebral foramen
True