Physical Therapy Mock Board Exam Review

Flashcards based on physical therapy mock exam questions covering cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, research, and ethics.

Sinoatrial (SA) node location

Located in the right atrium of the heart; serves as the heart's pacemaker.

Tissue nutrient exchange

Takes place between cell surfaces and the interstitial fluid.

Isovolumetric ventricular relaxation

The phase of the cardiac cycle when ventricular volume is at its lowest.

Highest frequency fiber contraction

The SA node, with a frequency of 70 to 80 depolarizations per minute.

CN X (Vagus nerve) stimulation

Causes sinus bradycardia by inhibiting automaticity of the SA node.

Cardiac rigor

A consequence of hypercalcemia that causes the heart to stop in systole.

Inspiratory capacity

The volume of air moved going from normal expiration to full forced inspiration.

Vital capacity

The volume of air moved going from full forced expiration to full forced inspiration.

Inspiratory reserve volume

The volume of air moved going from normal inspiration to full forced inspiration.

Venomotor tone and exertion

Increased physical exertion results in increased ventricular refilling secondary to increased venomotor tone.

Orthopnea

Dyspnea in the recumbent position; a typical symptom of chronic left heart failure.

Verapamil

A calcium antagonist that causes decreased contractility of the heart and vasodilation of coronary arteries.

MET (Metabolic Equivalent) of cycling 11 mph

Approximately 6 to 7 METs.

MET of walking 4 mph

Approximately 4.6 METs.

Reciprocal click

A TMJ sound signifying the condyle is sliding anteriorly to obtain a normal relationship with a dislocated disk.

Supraspinatus tendon palpation

Best palpated with the upper extremity behind the back in full internal rotation, adduction, and extension.

Fractured superior pole of patella

Rehabilitation should avoid 90 degrees of knee flexion where contact is maximal.

Expiratory reserve volume

The amount of air expired after a resting expiration.

Residual volume

The volume of air remaining in the lungs after a full forced expiration.

Quinidine

An antiarrhythmic drug known to slow down heart rate.

Diaphragmatic breathing instructions

Slow the rate to 8 to 12 breaths per minute, increase abdominal movement, and decrease upper chest movement.

Biot's respiration

Small breaths followed by inconsistent periods of absent breathing.

Cheyne-Stokes respiration

A gradual increase in the rate and depth of respirations followed by periods of absent breathing.

Kussmaul's respiration

Deep gasping breaths often associated with metabolic acidosis.

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

Awakening during the night because of periods of absent breathing.

Aging and Residual Volume

Residual volume increases with age.

Heart impulse conduction sequence

SA node to AV node, to bundle branches, to Purkinje fibers.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) function

Prevents posterior translation of the tibia on the femur and becomes tight in full knee extension.

Antihypertensive medication risks

May cause orthostatic hypotension when exiting a warm therapeutic pool due to vasodilation.

Beta blockers

Block beta receptors to reduce heart rate and contractility; can result in an exercise-induced heart rate lower than resting rate.

Beta agonist effects

Stimulates cardiac beta receptors, leading to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.

Statin drugs (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)

Medications that lower cholesterol and can potentially cause rhabdomyolysis or liver damage.

Rhabdomyolysis

A life-threatening condition involving muscle breakdown, often indicated by dark urine and muscle pain.

Asthma inhaler timing

Generally recommended to use about 20 minutes before exercise, especially in cool environments.

Calcium channel blockers side effects

Can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, muscle pain, joint stiffness, and edema.

Sublingual nitroglycerin

Quickly relieves anginal pain by relaxing blood vessels to increase heart blood flow and reduce peripheral resistance.

Plavix (clopidogrel)

A platelet aggregator inhibitor used as an antithrombic medication.

Rescue medications for asthma

Short-acting beta-agonists like albuterol that bind to beta2-receptors in the bronchioles.

Osteogenesis imperfecta and fractures

Fractures in these children typically heal within the normal healing time.

Femoral anteversion

Component of lower extremity alignment that contributes to toeing in.

Osteochondritis dissecans

Most commonly occurs in the medial femoral condyle.

Pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Most frequently involves the knee joint.

Ligament healing phases

Inflammatory (first days), proliferative (1 to 6 weeks), and remodeling (begins at 7 weeks).

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

Most likely intensified by eccentric exercise; symptoms usually subside in 2 to 3 days.

Bone healing stages

Inflammatory phase, soft callus phase, hard callus phase, and remodeling phase.

Dense regular connective tissue

Connective tissue category including ligaments and tendons.

Dense irregular connective tissue

Connective tissue category including joint capsules and periosteum.

Steroid injection alert

Can weaken tendons and ligaments; injected joints must be treated gently.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

An analgesic and antipyretic that lacks anti-inflammatory properties.

Skeletal muscle relaxants

Medications that weaken but do not paralyze muscles; abrupt cessation may be prohibited due to physical dependence.

Head and neck posture rule

The line of vision dictates posture; computer monitors should be at eye level to prevent fatigue.

Cuboid bone

Located just posterior to the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal.

Condyloid joints

Biaxial joints, such as the metacarpophalangeal joints, allowing flexion/extension and abduction/adduction.

Foramen magnum

Opening in the occipital bone through which the spinal cord, meninges, spinal CN XI, and vertebral arteries pass.

Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)

Exits the skull through the hypoglossal canals, not the foramen magnum.

Extension of the head

Produced by the contraction of the spinalis cervicis muscle.

Nucleus pulposus thickness

Thickest in the lumbar spine and thinnest in the thoracic spine.

Speed of muscle contraction

A function of the resting length of the muscle fiber.

Force of muscle contraction

Depends upon the cross-sectional diameter of the muscle.

Proximal carpal row (lateral to medial)

Scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform.

L5 nerve segment

Primarily innervates the long toe extensors.

Bifid spinous processes

Split spinous processes found exclusively in the cervical spine.

Line of gravity and static standing

When posterior to the hip, the body relies on anterior pelvic ligaments and the hip joint capsule.

Shoulder closed-packed position

Abduction and external rotation.

Adult knee meniscus vascularization

Only the outer edges are vascularized by capillaries from the synovial membrane.

Synarthrodial joint

A non-movable joint, such as a coronal suture or the fibrous joint between the tibia and fibula.

ACL injury mechanism

Commonly occurs with the foot planted, medial tibial rotation, and an audible pop.

Right SCM Torticollis positioning

Results in right lateral cervical flexion and left cervical rotation.

Genu valgum (knock-knee)

Deformity causing an inward bowing of the legs where the knee is located medially to the hip and foot.

Hip dislocation vulnerability

The loose-packed position: 30 degrees flexion, 30 degrees adduction, and minimal external rotation.

Second cuneiform articulations

Articulates with the first cuneiform, second metatarsal, third cuneiform, and navicular.

Viscosity

The property representing the friction of fluids; makes it harder to walk faster through water.

Buoyancy

Property that pushes up on an immersed part with pressure equal to the weight of the water displaced.

Hydrostatic pressure

Property of water that places pressure equally on an immersed part; assists in preventing blood pooling.

Thumb motion planes

Flexion/extension are parallel to the palm; abduction/adduction are perpendicular to the palm.

Acetic acid iontophoresis

Used to dissolve calcium deposits; driven by the negative pole.

Magnesium sulfate iontophoresis

Used to decrease muscle spasms; driven by the positive pole.

Lateral knee stability

Provided by active restraint from the popliteus, biceps femoris, and iliotibial band.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) lining

Located within the articular cavity but has its own synovial lining, placing it outside the main synovial cavity.

Quiet standing muscle activity

The plantar flexors must contract to maintain balance.

Talar deviation in supination

Identified by excessive lateral deviation of the head of the talus.

Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC)

Includes dorsal radioulnar ligament, ulnar collateral ligament, ulnar articular cartilage, and ulnocarpal meniscus.

Inverse stretch reflex

Initiated by Golgi tendon organs to cause muscle relaxation when a tendon is stretched too quickly.

Normal interincisal opening

The normal low-end range for a TMD patient is 40 mm.

Dental trismus

An inability to open the jaw fully, often due to muscle spasm or abnormally short muscles.

TMJ Protrusion

Normal arthrokinematics involve bilateral anterior translation.

Anterior pelvic tilt muscle imbalance

Often caused by short/strong hip flexors and lengthened/weak anterior abdominals.

Patella cartilage

A structure in the knee that lacks pain nerve fibers and cannot be the direct source of pain.

Patellofemoral reactive forces

Highest during plyometrics (jumping), generating up to 7 times body weight at the patella.

Rotator cuff tear demographics

Rare under the age of 40; cadaver studies show many are asymptomatic.

Sciatic traction neurapraxia

Primary cause of foot drop following total hip arthroplasty.

Sever's apophysitis

A physeal stress injury in children involving tight Achilles tendons and traction on the calcaneus.

Paresis

Muscle weakness associated with a single nerve root deficit (myotome).

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome findings

Includes decreased resisted thumb abduction and paresthesias over the median nerve distribution.

L4 deep tendon reflex

Elicited at the patellar tendon.

Waiter's tip position

The clinical presentation of Erb's palsy (C5-C6 injury) characterized by medial rotation and adduction of the arm.

Ulnar nerve 'Claw hand'

Result of atrophy of the interossei where the extensor digitorum pulls the MCP joints into hyperextension.

Obturator nerve

Innervates the adductor muscles and the gracilis; responsible for sensation loss in the medial thigh/groin.

Spondylolysis

A defect in the lamina of a vertebra, which typically occurs before spondylolisthesis.

Shoulder Impingement

Commonly presents with a 'painful arc' between 70 and 120 degrees of active abduction.