ULTIMATE PT HST TEST GUIDE CAR

What are activities of daily living (ADLs)?

Everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, dressing, shaving, and brushing hair.

Why is activity and exercise important?

It helps maintain strength, endurance, balance, mobility, and independence.

What do ROM exercises help maintain?

The health of the musculoskeletal system.

What happens during ROM exercises?

Each joint and muscle is moved through its full range of motion.

Who commonly orders ROM exercises? - Physicians.

Who can administer ROM exercises?

Physical therapists, nurses, healthcare assistants, or other authorized personnel.

When can ROM exercises be performed?

During a daily bath or at other times during the day.

What is a contracture?

Tightening and shortening of a muscle that causes permanent flexion of a joint.

What is foot drop?

A common contracture affecting the foot.

What happens to muscles during inactivity?

They atrophy and become weak.

What happens to joints during inactivity?

They become stiff and difficult to move.

How does inactivity affect circulation?

It can lead to poor circulation, blood clots, and pressure ulcers.

What mineral is commonly lost during inactivity?

Calcium.

What happens to bones when calcium is lost?

Bones become brittle and fractures are more likely.

What are renal calculi?

Kidney stones.

What other problems can inactivity cause?

Poor appetite, constipation, urinary infections, respiratory problems, and hypostatic pneumonia.

What is ambulation?

Walking or assisting a patient with walking.

Why might patients need assistive devices?

Due to injuries, illness, weakness, or balance problems.

What information should an athletic trainer gather during an injury history?

Nature and location of injury, how it occurred, pain severity, weight-bearing ability, numbness, weakness, instability, and prior injuries.

What should an athletic trainer observe during a physical examination?

Swelling, deformities, range of motion, tenderness, discoloration, pulse strength, crepitus, and muscle strength.

What is a transfer (gait) belt?

A belt placed around the patient’s waist to provide support during transfers or ambulation.

Why is a transfer belt used?

To stabilize the patient and provide a sense of security.

How should a transfer belt fit?

Securely around the waist but not too tight.

What type of grip is safest when using a transfer belt?

An underhand grip.

Where should the healthcare provider hold the transfer belt during ambulation?

At the back of the belt.

Where should a transfer belt be applied?

Over the patient’s clothing.

Why should a transfer belt not be placed on bare skin?

It may irritate the skin.

When is a transfer belt contraindicated?

With ostomies, gastrostomy tubes, abdominal pacemakers, severe cardiac or respiratory disease, fractured ribs, recent abdominal or chest surgery, and pregnancy.

What are crutches?

Artificial supports that help patients walk.

Who fits crutches and teaches crutch gait?

A physical therapist or authorized professional.

What are axillary crutches?

Crutches used for short-term injuries that fit under the arms.

Why should weight not be placed on axillary supports?

It can damage axillary nerves and blood vessels.

Why are axillary crutches not recommended for weak or elderly patients?

They require strong upper body strength, balance, and coordination.

What are forearm (Lofstrand) crutches?

Crutches attached to the forearms for long-term use.

Who commonly uses forearm crutches?

Patients with weakness or paralysis in both legs.

What are platform crutches used for?

Patients who cannot bear weight on their wrists or hands.

What angle should elbows be flexed when using platform crutches?

90 degrees.

What is the four-point gait?

A slow gait used when both legs can bear some weight.

What is the two-point gait?

A faster gait similar to normal walking used when both legs can bear some weight.

What is the three-point gait?

A gait used when only one leg can bear weight.

What is the swing-to gait?

A rapid gait requiring strong shoulders and arms.

What is the swing-through gait?

The fastest and most advanced crutch gait.

What is the purpose of a cane?

To provide balance and support.

What is a standard cane?

A single-tipped cane.

What is a tripod cane?

A cane with three tips for increased stability.

What is a quad cane?

A cane with four tips for a wider base of support.

What is a walkcane or hemiwalker?

A four-legged cane used for patients with hemiplegia.

What is hemiplegia?

Paralysis on one side of the body.

Why do canes have rubber suction tips?

To provide traction and prevent slipping.

Which side should a cane be used on?

The unaffected or strong side.

Why is the cane used on the strong side?

To provide a wider base of support and improve stability.

How far should the cane tip be from the unaffected foot?

About 6–8 inches.

How much should the elbow flex when using a cane?

25–30 degrees.

In a two-point cane gait, what moves together?

The cane and affected leg.

In a three-point cane gait, what moves first?

The cane.

What is a walker?

A four-legged assistive device that provides support.

What are the types of walkers?

Standard, folding, rolling, and platform walkers.

Why can rolling walkers be dangerous?

They may roll away if the patient leans heavily on them.

What do some rolling walkers have for safety?

Automatic locking brakes.

Who often uses walkers?

Weak patients or patients with poor balance.

How should a walker fit?

Handles level with the top of the femur and elbows flexed 25–30 degrees.

How should a walker be positioned before walking?

The back legs should line up with the patient’s toes.

What should be on the legs of a walker?

Rubber tips to prevent slipping.

Why should patients avoid sliding a walker?

It may tip over and cause a fall.

Why should walkers not be used as transfer devices?

They can tip forward during standing.

Which side should the healthcare provider walk on during ambulation?

The patient’s weak side.

What should you do if a patient begins to fall?

Ease them slowly to the floor while protecting the head and neck.

Should you try to hold a falling patient upright?

No.

What body mechanics should be used during a patient fall?

Keep the back straight, bend hips and knees, and maintain a broad base of support.

What should happen after a patient fall?

The patient should be checked for injuries and an incident report completed.

What is cryotherapy?

The use of cold for treatment.

What are the purposes of cryotherapy?

To reduce pain, swelling, inflammation, fever, and bleeding.

What are moist cold applications?

Cold and wet treatments such as cold compresses, packs, and soaks.

Why are moist cold applications effective?

They penetrate tissues more deeply.

What are dry cold applications?

Cold and dry treatments such as ice bags and hypothermia blankets.

What is a hypothermia blanket?

A cooling blanket used to reduce high body temperature.

What is thermotherapy?

The use of heat for treatment.

What are the purposes of thermotherapy?

To relieve pain, increase circulation, promote healing, fight infection, and relax muscles.

What are moist heat applications?

Warm, wet treatments such as hot soaks and compresses.

Why is moist heat more effective than dry heat?

It penetrates deeper tissues better.

What is a Sitz bath used for?

Providing moist heat to the rectal and perineal area after childbirth or rectal surgery.

What are hydrocollator packs?

Gel-filled hot packs used before ROM exercises.

Why must hydrocollator packs be covered?

To protect the skin from burns.

What are paraffin wax treatments used for?

Arthritis, chronic joint disease, and before ROM exercises.

How long is paraffin wax usually left in place?

About 20–30 minutes.

What are dry heat applications?

Warm and dry treatments such as heating pads and thermal blankets.

What is an aquathermia pad?

A pad filled with warm circulating water.

What is vasodilation?

Widening of blood vessels caused by heat.

What happens during vasodilation?

Blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients increase.

How does heat help relieve pain?

It removes inflammatory fluids and relaxes tissues.

What is vasoconstriction?

Narrowing of blood vessels caused by cold.

What happens during vasoconstriction?

Blood flow decreases and swelling is reduced.

How does cold reduce pain?

It numbs the area.