Physical Therapy Assistant Clinical Practice Essentials

Vocabulary flashcards covering infection control, posture analysis, body mechanics, and vital signs measurements from clinical fundamentals.

Pathogen

An organism that can cause disease.

Clean

A state of minimized infectious organisms in the clinical environment.

Soiled

Indicates the presence of pathogens or the possibility of exposure to pathogens.

Clean Technique

Clinical efforts and practices aimed at reducing the number of infectious organisms in the healthcare setting.

Sterile Technique

A specialized process designed to eliminate pathogens from medical equipment, surfaces, and environments.

Standard Precautions

Standardized infection control practices required when caring for all clients and patients across all healthcare settings.

Transmission Based Precautions

Infection control practices designed for patients known or suspected to be infected with specific pathogens, selected based on their mode of transmission.

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)

An infection acquired by a patient in any healthcare setting.

Nosocomial Infection

An infection acquired specifically within a hospital setting.

Multi-Drug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs)

Organisms, typically bacteria, that have developed resistance to one or more antibiotics (e.g., methicillin-resistant S. aureus / MRSA).

Direct Contact Transmission

The physical transfer of pathogens directly from one person to another.

Indirect Contact Transmission

Infection transmission that involves an intermediate step, such as contacting a contaminated object or surface.

Droplet Transmission

Transmission involving large pathogenic particle droplets that travel less than $3\,\text{ft}$ and cannot remain suspended in the air.

Airborne Transmission

Infection spread by dissemination of small residue particles containing infectious agents that are widely dispersed by air currents.

Respiratory Hygiene

Infection prevention measures, also known as "Cough Etiquette", targeting individuals with undiagnosed, transmissible respiratory infections to limit disease spread.

Posture

The alignment of each body segment in relation to adjoining body segments.

Ideal Alignment

A body position where the center of mass (COM) is centered over the base of support (BOS), placing minimal stress on joints and soft tissues.

Stretch Weakness

Muscular weakness that develops from a muscle remaining in an elongated position beyond its normal resting position over time.

Adaptive Shortening

Muscular tightness that develops from a muscle remaining in a shortened position over time.

Structural Postural Faults

Postural deviations resulting from congenital or developmental anomalies, disease, or trauma.

Functional Postural Faults

Postural deviations that primarily result from poor postural habits.

Plumb Line Assessment

A formal posture evaluation performed in standing using a vertical reference line to observe anatomical alignment.

Genu Varum

A postural alignment deviation commonly referred to as "bowed legs".

Genu Valgum

A postural alignment deviation commonly referred to as "knock knees".

Genu Recurvatum

A postural alignment deviation characterized by knee hyperextension, commonly termed "back knee".

Pes Planus

A foot structure characterized by a flattened medial arch, commonly termed "flat foot".

Pes Cavus

A foot structure characterized by an abnormally high arch.

Center of Mass (COM)

An object's or body part's balance point, where its mass is equally distributed.

Center of Gravity (COG)

Gravity's line of action acting upon an object's center of mass (COM).

Body Mechanics

The way individuals position and move their bodies during tasks to maximize movement efficiency and minimize tissue stress.

Base of Support (BOS)

The total contact area of an object or person with its supporting surface.

Controlled Mobility

Movement during which the center of gravity (COG) intentionally moves outside the base of support (BOS) and then successfully returns within it.

Uncontrolled Mobility

Movement where the center of gravity (COG) shifts so far outside the base of support (BOS) that it cannot return, often resulting in a fall.

Sign

An observable, objective finding related to a patient's condition that can often be quantified using measurement instruments.

Symptom

A subjective finding representing how a person experiences a condition, which is often difficult to measure accurately.

Tachycardia

A resting heart rate in adults that is greater than $100\,\text{bpm}$.

Bradycardia

A resting heart rate in adults that is lower than $60\,\text{bpm}$.

Systolic Pressure

Blood pressure measured at the time of contraction of the left ventricle (systole).

Diastolic Pressure

Blood pressure measured during the relaxation/rest period of the heart (diastole).

Orthostatic Hypotension

A rapid drop in blood pressure when changing positions, defined as a drop in systolic BP of at least $20\,\text{mmHg}$ or diastolic BP of at least $10\,\text{mmHg}$ within 2 to 5 minutes.

Korotkoff Sounds

Vascular sounds heard through a stethoscope during blood pressure measurement, where Level I sound indicates systolic pressure and Level V sound indicates diastolic pressure.

Dyspnea

A sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing, commonly known as shortness of breath (SOB).

Orthopnea

Difficulty breathing that occurs specifically when lying flat.

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea

Sudden episodes of severe dyspnea and orthopnea that typically awaken a patient from sleep.

Apnea

The complete absence of breathing.

Hyperpnea

Abnormally deep or rapid respiration, which indicates pathology when present at rest.

Oxygen Saturation ($SpO_2$)

A non-invasive measurement of the percentage of hemoglobin bound to oxygen in circulating blood, assessed via pulse oximetry.