SUSIEG 2018 B Flashcards
A physical therapist is treating a child with spastic cerebral palsy who is 3 years old cognitively but at a 6-month-old gross developmental level. What is an appropriate treatment activity for this child?
A. Reaching for a multicolored object while in an unsupported standing position
B. Reaching for a multicolored object while in an unsupported, guarded sitting position
C. Visually tracking a black and white object held 9 inches from his/her face
D. Reaching for a black and white object while in the supine position
Correct Answer: B
The appropriate task would include the 6-month-old gross developmental level activity of working on unsupported sitting. A multicolored object is appropriate for a 3-year-old cognitive level.
A patient is receiving mobilizations to regain normal mid thoracic extension. After three sessions, the patient complains of localized pain that persists for greater that 24 hours. What is the therapist’s best option?
A. Change mobilizations to gentle, low -amplitude oscillations to reduce the joint and soft tissue irritation
B. Continue with current mobilizations, followed by a cold pack to the thoracic spine
C. Place the physical therapy on hold and resume in 1 week
D. Change to self-stretching activities, because the patient does not tolerate mobilization
Correct Answer: A
Changing to low-amplitude oscillations will promote a decrease in the pain and tissue irritation. If pain persists for more than 24 hours, the soft tissue and joint irritation may progress.
A therapist wishes to use behavior modification techniques as part of a plan of care to help shape the behavioural responses of a patient recovering from traumatic brain injury (TBI).
What intervention is the BEST to use?
A. Use frequent reinforcements for all desired behaviors
B. Encourage the staff to tell the patient which behaviors are correct and which are not
C. Reprimand the patient every time an undesirable behavior occurs
D. Allow the patient enough time for self-correction of the behavior
Correct Answer: A
Behavioral modification is best achieved through use of positive reinforcements for all desired behaviors.
A patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) presents with dysmetria in both upper extremities.
Which of the following interventions is the BEST choice to deal with this problem?
A. 3-Ib weight cuffs to wrists during activities of daily living (ADL) training
B. Isokinetic training using low resistance and fast movement speeds
C. Pool exercises using water temperatures greater than 85°F
D. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) patterns using dynamic reversals with carefully graded resistance
Correct Answer: D
Dysmetria is a coordination problem in which the patient is unable to judge the distance or range of movement (overshoots or undershoots a target). Adding manual resistance with PNF can assist the patient in slowing down the movement and achieving better control.
Knee capsular tightness has limited a patient’s ability to attain full flexion. An INITIAL intervention a physical therapist can employ to restore joint motion should emphasize sustained mobilization in the loose-packed position. Which of the following is the BEST choice to use?
A. Anterior glide and external rotation of the tibia
B. Posterior glide and external rotation of the tibia
C. Posterior glide and internal rotation of the tibia
D. Anterior glide and internal rotation of the tibia
Correct Answer: C
Posterior glide and internal rotation are accessory motions necessary to increase knee flexion. Initial treatment should not result in pain, soreness, or diminished range of motion.
A patient recovering from cardiac transplantation for end-stage heart failure is referred for exercise training. The patient is receiving immunosuppressive drug therapy (cyclosporine and prednisone). What guidelines should the therapist follow when implementing an exercise program for this patient?
A. Require longer periods of warm-up and cool-down
B. Require short bouts of exercise
C. Eliminate all resistance training
D. Require a frequency of 2-3 times/week
Correct Answer: A
A patient recovering from cardiac transplantation will require longer periods of warm-up and cool-down because physiological responses to exercise and recovery take longer.
A patient presents with weakness and atrophy of the biceps brachin resulting from an open fracture of the humerus. The therapist reads a report of needle electromyography (EMG) of the biceps. What is the anticipated muscle response after the needle is inserted and prior to active contraction?
A. Polyphasic potentials
B. Interference patterns
C. Electrical silence
D. Fibrillation potentials
Correct Answer: C
Inserting an EMG needle into a normal muscle cause a burst of electrical activity (insertional activity) after which the muscle produces no sound (electrical silence).
A new staff physical therapist (PT) on the oncology unit of a large medical center receives a referral for strengthening and ambulation for a woman with ovarian cancer. She is undergoing radiation therapy after surgical hysterectomy. Her current platelet count is 17,000. What intervention is indicated for this patient at this time?
A. Active range-of-motion (AROM) exercises and activities of daily living (ADLs)
exercises
B. Aerobic exercise 3-5 days/week at 40-60%, one repetition maximum
C. Resistance training at 60%, one repetition maximum
D. Progressive stair climbing using a weighted waist belt
Correct Answer: A
AROM and ADL exercises are beneficial and safe for this patient.
A patient complains of increased pain and tingling in both hands after sitting at a desk for longer than 1 hour. The diagnosis is thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Which treatment would be the MOST effective physical therapy intervention?
A. Cardiovascular training using cycle ergometry to reduce symptoms of TOS
B. Stretching program for the pectoralis minor and scalenes
C. Strengthening program for the scalenes and sternocleidomastoids
D. Desensitization by maintaining the should in abduction, extension, and external rotation with the head turned toward the ipsilateral shoulder
Correct Answer: B
TOS is described as compression to the neurovascular structures in the scalene triangle, the area defined by the anterior and middle scalenes between the clavicle and the first rib. The compression is a result of a shortened pectoralis minor and scalene muscle. Therefore, a stretching program to these muscles to gain space in the scalene triangle is appropriate.
A patient with diabetes is exercising. The patient reports feeling weak, dizzy, and somewhat nauseous. The therapist notices that the patient is profusely and is unsteady when standing.
What is the therapist’s BEST immediate course of action?
A. Insist that the patient sit down until the orthostatic hypotension resolves
B. Have a nurse administer an insulin injection for developing hyperglycemia
C. Administer orange juice for developing hypoglycaemia
D. Call for emergency services; the patient is having an insulin reaction
Correct Answer: C
Hypoglycaemia, or abnormally low blood glucose, results from too much insulin (insulin reaction). It requires accurate assessment of symptoms and prompt intervention. Have the patient sit down and give an oral sugar (e.g., orange juice).
A patient with postpolio syndrome started attending a supervised outpatient exercise program. The patient failed to show up for follow-up sessions. The patient reported increased muscle pain and being too weak to get out of bed for the past 2 days. The patient is afraid to continue with the exercise class. What is the therapist’s BEST course of action regarding the patient’s exercise program?
A. Discharge the patient from the program because exercise is counterproductive in postpolio syndrome
B. Reschedule exercise workouts for early morning when there is less fatigue
C. Decrease the intensity and duration, but maintain a frequency of 3 time/week
D. Decrease the frequency to once a week for an hour session, keeping the intensity moderate
Correct Answer: C
Clinical manifestations of postpolio syndrome include myalgias, new weakness as well as atrophy and excessive fatigue with minimal activity, Nonexhaustive exercise and general body conditioning are indicated. A change in the exercise prescription (intensity and duration) is warranted.
A therapist has elected to use continuous inductive coil short wave diathermy (SWD) as one of the interventions in managing hip pain. Use of other thermal or electrical modalities were either ineffective or contraindicated. Which patient would be a candidate for use of short wave diathermy?
A. A morbidly obese patient
B. A patient with Type 1 diabetes who uses an insulin pump
C. An 11 year-old boy with a slipped capital femoral epiphysis
D. A patient with ankylosing spondylitis on high doses of NSAIDS and DMARDS
Correct Answer: D
Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine and other joints including the hip. Pain, stiffness, and inflammation can result. A physical therapy treatment plan can incorporate deep heating for muscle relaxation followed by stretching, posture management, and other exercises. Inductive SW D is preferred here as it penetrates more deeply than capacitive SWD. The use of the medications indicated will have no bearing on the application of SWD.
A patient is recovering from open heart surgery (sternotomy and coronary artery bypass).
The PT is supervising the patient’s outpatient exercise program at 8 weeks postsurgery.
What guideline should be followed regarding the use of moderate to heavy weights during resistance training?
A. Should include upper body exercises only
B. Is contraindicated during the first two months
C. Should be based on 60%-80%, one repetition maximum initially
D. Can be included if resistance training is once a week
Correct Answer: B
Resistive training after cardiothoracic surgery is restricted to 5 to 8 pounds for the first 5 to 8 weeks. Moderate to heavy resistance exercises are contraindicated.
14.A patient with asthma is taking a drug from the sympathomimetic group, albuterol (Ventolin). What is the MOST important effect of this medication?
A. Increases airway resistance and decreases secretion production
B. Reduces airway resistance by reducing bronchospasm
C. Increases heart rate (HR) and BP to enhance training effect during aerobic activity
D. Reduces bronchial constriction and high blood pressure (BP) that accompanies exercise
Correct Answer: B
Sympathomimetics are a class of drugs that mimics the effects of stimulation of body organs and structures by the sympathetic nervous system. Albuterol (Ventolin) has the primary action of reducing airway resistance by a decrease in bronchospasm.
A PT decides to exercise a patient with lower extremity lymphedema using aquatic therapy.
Hydrostatic pressure exerted by the water can be expected to do which of the following?
A. Increase cardiovascular demands at rest and with exercise
B. Reduce effusion and assist venous return
C. Provide joint unloading and enhance ease of active movement
D. Increase resistance as speed of movement increases
Correct Answer: B
The pressure exerted by water on an immersed object is equal on all surfaces (pascal’s law). As the depth of immersion increases, so does hydrostatic pressure. Increased pressure limits effusion, assists venous return, and can induce bradycardia.
16.A therapist determines that a patient is walking with a backward trunk lean with full weight on the right leg. The patient also demonstrates great difficulty going up ramps. What is the BEST intervention to remediate this problem?
A. Strengthen hip extensors through bridging
B. Stretch hip abductors through side-lying positioning
C. Strengthen knee extensors with weights, using 80%, one repetition maximum
D. Stretch hip flexors through prone-lying positioning
Correct Answer: A
Backward trunk lean (gluteus maximus gait) is the result of a weak gluteus maximus, It causes increased difficulty going up stairs or ramps. Functional-training exercises such as bridging are indicated.
17.A patient has developed a thick eschar secondary to a full-thickness burn. What is the antibacterial agent MOST effective for infection control for this type of burn?
A. Sulfamylon
B. Nitrofurazone
C. Panafil
D. Silver nitrate
Correct Answer: A
Sulfamylon penetrates through eschar and provides antibacterial control.
18.An elderly person has lost significant functional vision over the past 4 years and complains of blurred vision and difficulty reading. The patient frequently mistakes images directly in ront of her, especially in bright light. When walking across a room, the patient is able to locate items in the environment using peripheral vision when items are located to both sides.
Based on these findings, what is the visual condition this patient is MOST likely experiencing?
A. Glaucoma
B. Cataracts
C. Homonymous hemianopsia
D. Bitemporal hemianopsia
Correct Answer: B
Cataracts, which cause a clouding of the lens, result in a gradual loss of vision; central vision is lost first, then peripheral.
19.A patient presents with complaints of pain and difficulty with ADL that is consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome. What is the BEST test to identify the cause of symptoms in this patient?
A. Pronator teres syndrome test
B. Ulnar nerve tension test
C. Allen’s test
D. Phalen’s test
Correct Answer: D
Phalen’s test places stress on the compartment where the median nerve passes into the hand, so this test is typically positive for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
20.A patient incurred a right CVA 1 month ago and demonstrates moderate spasticity in the left upper extremity (predominantly increased flexor tone), The major problem at this time is a lack of voluntary movement control. There is minimal active movement, with ¼ inch subluxation of the shoulder. What initial treatment activity is the BEST choice for this patient?
A. Sitting, left active shoulder protraction with extended elbow and shoulder flexed to 90°
B. Sitting, weight bearing on extended left upper extremity, weight shifting
C. Quadruped, rocking from side to side
D. PNF D2 flexion pattern, left upper extremity
Correct Answer: B
Sitting, weight bearing, and rocking on an extended left upper extremity will help to decrease the flexor tone. It also provides joint compression (approximation) at the shoulder, which will help maintain shoulder position and stimulate stabilizing muscles.
21.An older patient complains of pain in the right hip region. The therapist suspects hip osteoarthritis based on the patient’s subjective symptoms. What clinical test is the BEST choice to confirm this diagnosis?
A. Scouring test
B. Thomas test
C. Craig’s test
D. Posterior impingement test
Correct Answer: A
A positive scouring test would be a consistent finding for a patient who has osteoarthrosis of the hip joint. It compresses the joint.
22.The therapist in the photograph is testing which muscle?
A. Upper trapezius
B. Middle deltoid
C. Supraspinatus
D. Anterior deltoid
Correct Answer: C
The muscle being tested is the supraspinatus. The empty-can position puts the supraspinatus muscle in its most effective position for contraction. Weakness may be a result of inflammation, neuropathy of the suprascapular nerve, or a tendon tear.
23.During an examination, a patient demonstrates large-amplitude, sudden flailing motions of the arm and leg on one side of the body with primary involvement of axial and proximal joint muscles. What clinical term BEST describes the patient’s behaviors?
A. Chorea
B. Intention tremor
C. Hemiballismus |
D. Athetosis
Correct Answer: C
Hemiballismus refers to sudden, jerky, forceful, and flailing involuntary movements on one side of the body (“Hemi” was a clue).
24.A patient is referred to physical therapy after an antero- inferior dislocation of the right shoulder. What positive examination finding is expected as a result of this dislocation?
A. Weak rhomboids
B. Positive drop arm test
C. Positive Neer’s test
D. Weak deltoids
Correct Answer: D
Because of the anatomical position of the axillary nerve, it can be damaged by an antero-inferior dislocation at the glenohumeral joint. This results in weak deltoids.