PT Final Exam Practice Questions Flashcards
A 60-year-old patient is being treated for a recent total knee arthroplasty that occurred 2 weeks ago. The therapist takes the patient’s vitals and obtains the following values: • Heart rate 120 bpm • Oxygen saturation 89% • Blood pressure 125/85 mmHg The patient reports that he has had significant shortness of breath and a persistent cough for the past 2 days. The patient also displays increased edema in the involved lower extremity. Which of the following conditions is MOST likely present in this patient? 1. Pleurisy 2. Pneumothorax 3. Pneumonia 4. Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism.
This patient meets the Wells Criteria for pulmonary embolism including age>50, HR > 100, O2 sats<95%, unilateral leg swelling, surgery within 4 weeks, and signs of a DVT. The significant shortness of breath and persistent cough are also indicative of pulmonary embolism. This patient warrants expeditious referral for physician follow-up.
True or False: a DVT can cause a CVA?
No because it goes to the lung and gets stuck there - usually
A 25-year-old runner is being evaluated by a physical therapist for a chief complaint of unilateral lower leg pain that began 2 weeks ago after he increased the speed and hardness of running surface. The pain is aggravated by running and alleviated rapidly with cessation of the activity. Besides the pain, the patient reports that his skin on the surface of his shin is swollen, shiny, and somewhat “woody.” The patient has diminished 2-point discrimination. Which of the following diagnoses is MOST likely to be present?
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Exertional compartment syndrome
- Tibial stress fractures
Exertional compartment syndrome.
Anterior compartment syndrome brought on by exertion is described by the signs and symptoms presented in the case. The signs of compartment syndrome include: pain, paralysis, paresthesia, pallor, and diminished pulses.
What is the cheapest and easiest method typically used for in diagnosing stress fractures?
DEXA scan
A patient presents with hypothenar eminence wasting and weakness of the intrinsic muscles of the hand. Which of the following impairments is LEAST likely to be present?
- T1 nerve root compression
- C8 nerve root compression
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome implicates the median nerve which innervates the thenar eminence. The ulnar nerve (C8,T1) innervates the hypothenar eminence, resulting in loss of the 3rd and 4th lumbricals and interossei muscles
A patient with an injury to the inferior gluteal nerve would MOST likely demonstrate which of the following gait abnormalities?
- Posterior trunk lean during initial swing
- Posterior trunk lean at initial contact
- Ipsilateral hip drop during stance
- Contralateral hip drop during stance
Posterior trunk lean at initial contact.
The inferior gluteal nerve innervates the gluteus maximus and would result in a posterior trunk lean at initial contact.
Can you see contralateral pelvic drop in feet together or feet apart?
Feet together because with feet apart there is more normal hip alignment so shortening occurs on the ipsilateral side resulting in overall normal appearance bilaterally
During examination, a patient is being evaluated for hand and upper extremity strength. When asked to hold a piece of paper between the thumb and index finger in a key grip, the examiner notices that the patient flexes the interphalangeal joint of the thumb as the examiner pulls the paper away from the patient. Based on these findings, what muscle is MOST likely to display weakness during manual muscle testing?
- Flexor pollicis longus
- Flexor digitorum profundus (radial half)
- Pronator teres
- Third and fourth lumbricals
Third and fourth lumbricals.
The 3rd and 4th lumbricals are innervated by the deep terminal branch of the ulnar nerve and are most likely to be affected in a case of positive Froment’s Sign (described in the question). The Froment’s Sign tests for activity of the adductor pollicis (innervated by the ulnar nerve).
A 65-year-old patient reports numbness and tingling extending from the lateral thigh toward the medial malleolus that has been present for the past year. During examination, the patient reports that the symptoms are alleviated while sitting and exacerbated with standing. The therapist chooses to apply lumbar traction to treat the patient. Which of the following parameters is BEST indicated for the patient?
- Patient positioned in supine, traction force 50% body weight, intermittent traction force
- Patient positioned in prone, traction force 15 kg, static traction force
- Patient positioned in prone, traction force 25% body weight, intermittent traction force
- Patient position in supine, traction force 15 kg, intermittent traction force
Patient positioned in supine, traction force 50% body weight, intermittent traction force.
These are the correct parameters to create joint distraction to treat the apparent foraminal stenosis present in this patient. The choice to place the patient in supine is determined by the “flexion” bias in the patient where symptoms are alleviated with sitting and decreased loading.
What percent body weight is the correct parameter setting when setting up lumbar traction to achieve true intervertebral separation?
50%
What percent body weight is the correct parameter setting when setting up lumbar traction in order to overcome friction?
25%
During examination by a physical therapist, a patient presents with weakness of elbow flexion and forearm supination of the right arm. In addition, the involved upper extremity is positioned in scapular depression, adduction, and internal rotation. Which of the following conditions is MOST likely present?
- Claw hand
- Erb’s palsy
- Klumpke’s paralysis
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
Erb’s palsy
Damage to the upper brachial plexus (C5,6) will result in the “waiter’s tip position” described in this question as a result of weakness of elbow flexion/supination and loss of external rotation, abduction, and scapular elevation.
Claw hand and Klumpkes paralysis are synonymous
While examining a patient, the patient displays a manual muscle test grade of 1/5 on the right tibialis anterior muscle. Which of the following gait deviations would MOST likely occur?
- Foot slap at heel initial contact
- Entire plantar aspect touching ground at initial contact
- Initial contact made with the forefoot followed by the heel
- Initial contact is made with the forefoot, but heel does not make contact during stance.
Initial contact made with the forefoot followed by the heel.
Severe weakness of the tibialis anterior will result in initial contact made by the forefoot followed by the rearfoot.
What gait pattern is most associated with dorsiflexion weakness?
steppage gait
A patient with a spinal cord injury is being examined by a physical therapist. The therapist notes that the patient’s medical chart indicates a complete spinal cord injury involving the sacral segments S2-S4. The injury was produced by a traumatic blow to the mid-lumbar region. When evaluating bowel and bladder function, the therapist would MOST likely expect which of the following presentations of symptoms?
- Hyperreflexic bladder, spastic bowel
- Areflexic bladder, flaccid bowel
- Hyperreflexic bladder, flaccid bowel
- Areflexic bladder, spastic bowel
Areflexic bladder, flaccid bowel.
Because the SCI involved the sacral segments S2-S4, it is known that the bowel and bladder function will be affected. The traumatic injury occurred in the mid-lumbar lesion, below the conus medullaris. Injuries to the cauda equina present as LMN injuries and are thus areflexic or flaccid.
An injury occurring at C1-T12 will result in what bowel and bladder dysfunction?
- Hyperreflexic bladder, spastic bowel
- Areflexic bladder, flaccid bowel
- Hyperreflexic bladder, flaccid bowel
- Areflexic bladder, spastic bowel
- Hyperreflexic bladder, spastic bowel
An injury occurring at L1-S1 will result in what bowel and bladder dysfunction?
- Hyperreflexic bladder, spastic bowel
- Areflexic bladder, flaccid bowel
- Hyperreflexic bladder, flaccid bowel
- Areflexic bladder, spastic bowel
- Areflexic bladder, spastic bowel
An injury occurring at S2, S3, S4 will result in what bowel and bladder dysfunction?
- Hyperreflexic bladder, spastic bowel
- Areflexic bladder, flaccid bowel
- Hyperreflexic bladder, flaccid bowel
- Areflexic bladder, spastic bowel
- Areflexic bladder, flaccid bowel
A patient presents to physical therapy with intermittent buttock, hip, and thigh pain. During examination, the therapist notes a tender, palpable mass in the groin region. The patient also demonstrates a positive psoas sign and an antalgic gait pattern. While reviewing the patient’s history, which of the following conditions will LEAST likely be associated with the patient’s current complaints?
- Appendicitis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Diverticulitis
- Pyloric stenosis
Pyloric stenosis.
This patient is presenting with signs and symptoms associated with a psoas abscess (palpable mass, positive psoas sign, radiating pain to hip/back/thigh). A psoas abscess is often associated with inflammatory or infectious conditions such as Crohn’s Disease, diverticulitis, appendicitis, or ulcerative colitis.
What typically presents as a pulsating mass that can refer to the LB?
AAA
A patient presents to physical therapy with weakness affecting the right upper extremity. Manual muscle testing reveals the following results: • Flexor pollicis longus: 2/5 • Pronator teres: 2/5 • Pronator quadratus: 2/5 • Lateral 2 lumbricals: 2/5 • Medial 2 lumbricals: 5/5 • Extensor digitorum: 5/5 Which of the following nerves is MOST likely involved in the patient’s weakness? 1. Median Nerve 2. PosteriorInterosseous Nerve 3. Radial Nerve 4. UlnarNerve
Median Nerve.
The pronator teres, pronator quadratus, flexor pollicis longus (AIN), and lateral 2 lumbricals are innervated by the median nerve.
A patient with meralgia paresthetica is being evaluated by a therapist for sensory disturbances. Which of the following regions is MOST likely to be affected?
- Central low back
- Lateral low back
- Medial thigh
- Lateral thigh
Lateral thigh.
Meralgia paresthetica is a nerve syndrome that is caused by compression of the lateral cutaneous femoral nerve of the thigh (LCFN). Symptoms most often include numbness and dyesthesia to the anterolateral aspect of the thigh that is most marked with walking, standing, or prone positioning.
A nerve syndrome that is caused by compression of the lateral cutaneous femoral nerve of the thigh (LCFN). Symptoms most often include numbness and dyesthesia to the anterolateral aspect of the thigh that is most marked with walking, standing, or prone positioning.
Meralgia paresthetica
A 59-year-old female patient is receiving physical therapy treatment for osteoarthritis and knee pain. During the exercise intervention, the patient begins to report unusual fatigue, lethargy, and weakness. In addition, the patient reports that she has been unable to sleep for the last two nights and is concerned that she may have depression. Upon further questioning, the patient reports that the symptoms are temporarily relieved by antacids. Based on these signs and symptoms, which of the following conditions is MOST likely present?
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Congestive heart failure
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction.
Signs and symptoms of MI in women can be identical to men, or they can present with mental status changes, dyspnea, unusual fatigue, weakness, lethargy, UE heaviness/achiness, sensation of inhaling cold air, anxiety/depression, and symptoms that are relieved by antacids.