modalities for physical therapy

What are the modes of heat transfer?

Conduction, Conversion, Convection, Radiation, Evaporation

When using a hot pack, how many leverl are needed before applying on a patient?

6-8

Which method of heat transfer occurs between materials of two different temperatures that are in direct contact of each other?

Conduction

which modalities use conduction was a method of heat transfer?

cold pack, hot paxk, paraffin, ice massage, cryo cuff

which method of heat transfer using a circulating medium moving in constant motion across the body?

Convection

Which method of heat transfer uses non thermal energy like mechanical or electrical into heat inside the body?

Conversion

Diathermy and Ultrasound use what method of heat transfer?

Conversion

A patient using preparing for hand physical therapy and places his hand in a fluidotherapy machine, what method of heat transfer is this?

Convection

You apply a vapocollant spray onto a patient with a passive stretch. What method of heat transfer is this?

Evaporation

Using an infrared lamp is an example of what method of heat transfer?

radiation

You assist a patient using paraffin wax and apply a glove on his hand for 10 minutes, what method of heat transfer is this?

Conduction

When would we use cold on a patient?

reduce pain

vasoconstruction

inflammation control

reduce spasiticity

You apply a cold pack to a patient, and they show serious intolerance. Is this a precaution or contraindication?

Contraindication

precaution

A patient presents with bluish or white fingers that are cold after bring in the cold. What condition would she more than likely have?

Raynaud's disease

A patient presents with MS. they recently finished physical therapy and you want to apply a modality on their shoulder. which of these is the most appropiate to use ?

cold pack

A patient has poor sensation in their leg. You want to appy a cold pack on their leg. Is this a precation or a contraindication?

Precaution

You are preparing to apply a cooling spray to a patient and want to use the spray and stretch technique. how is this performed?

You are parparing a paraffin tank and need to check to temperature, what is the approciate range the tank should be set at?

113–122°F

You check the temperature in the hydrocollator tank. What is the appropiate temperature range the tank should be set at?

158–167°F

You prepare a hydrocollator pad and use one towel and one hot pack cover, this enough layers before applying on a patient? True/False.

False

A physical therapist assistant prepares to apply a moist hot pack from a hydrocollator (158°F–167°F) to a patient's lower back. The hot pack is wrapped in one commercial hot pack cover and one towel. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate next step?

Add one more towel layer before applying the hot pack

This type of diathermy step up involves a coil around the limb creating a magnetic field → heats the inside (especially muscle). This good for deep muscle and joints

Inductive diathermy

This type of diathermy uses two metal plates (electrodes) placed on either side of the treatment area to create an electric field between them.This is good for more superficial areas.

Capacitive Diathermy

What kind of current is a continious stream of charged particles flowing in one direction?

direct current

What kind of E-Stem uses direct current to help deliver medication into a wound?

Iontophoresis

A physical therapist prepares to apply iontophoresis using dexamethasone to treat a patient with lateral epicondylitis. Which electrode should be used to deliver the medication?

Negative electrode (cathode)

A physical therapist prepares to apply Iodine using dexamethasone to treat a patient with lateral epicondylitis. Which electrode should be used to deliver the medication?

Positive electrode (anode)

A therapist applies E-stim to a patient using small electrodes. Compared to larger electrodes, what are the differences?

A. Small electrodes have an increased current density and a decreased current flow

A therapist wants to improve a patient’s quadriceps strength using electrical stimulation. Which setting is most appropriate?

C. Russian stimulation

A therapist wants to perform cervical traction to specifically target the C7 spinal segment. What angle of cervical flexion should be used?

C. 23–25°

A therpist wants to target a patient’s C1-C2 cervical spine, What angle of cervical flexion should the sled be set at?

0–5°

A therpist wants to target a patient’s C3-C5 cervical spine, What angle of cervical flexion should the sled be set at?

10–20°

A physical therapist prepares to apply mechanical lumbar traction for a patient with symptoms of nerve root compression. After positioning the patient and securing the belts, what is the next most important step before starting the traction machine?

B. Unlock the split table

What are common precautions when performing cervical traction on a patient?

TMJ and dentures

A patient has uncontrolled hypertension. Would they be a good candidate for traction?
True or False?

False

A physical therapist is preparing to administer mechanical cervical traction to a patient with chronic neck pain. During the initial evaluation, the patient reports a history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with instability in the upper cervical spine. What is the MOST appropriate action?

C. Refer to the physician and withhold traction

What is one appropriate way to test if a patient is able to tolerate traction?

Applying manual traction

A patient has joint instability and would like to have traction done. Are we ok to do traction on this patient?

True or False?

False