Correct Answer4. transfer objects from one hand to another.
Rationale: Transferring objects from one hand to another is a task developmentally appropriate for an 8-9 month-old. Using a fine pincer grasp and building a tower of 4 blocks are skills which develop later. Holding a cup by the handle while drinking usually occurs by 12 months of age.
Reasoning: Analysis In this question, the test taker must understand the fine motor developmental milestones of not only a 9 month-old, but of a 12 month-old child, in order to reason which answer is most age appropriate. If this question was answered incorrectly review the fine motor developmental milestones of infants up to one year.
Question #12 Correct Answer2. document observations and refer the patient back to the physician for evaluation of possible levodopa toxicity.
Rationale: Dyskinesias (involuntary movements) are a common side effect of dopamine toxicity as are gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting) and mental disturbances (restlessness, general over activity, anxiety or depression). While the symptoms described in the other choices may also occur with pharmacological management of Parkinson's disease, they do not adequately explain the presence of adventitious or involuntary movements. Selegiline is used in early PD; its main adverse effects include nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, anxiety, and hallucinations.
Reasoning: Evaluation One must understand the common symptomatology of PD as well as the benefits and side effects of L-dopa therapy. Questions such as this are challenging because determining the basis for new or unexpected symptomatology requires one to rely not only on facts, but judgment to arrive at the best possible conclusion.
Question #13
Correct Answer 3. explain how patients typically respond to the surgery and outline the progression of exercises.
Rationale: Assess the needs of the patient and provide appropriate information based on the expected rehabilitation process. Do not "pass the buck" unless the information is outside of the scope of the physical therapist's expertise.
Reasoning: Analysis In this scenario, the test taker must understand physical therapy scope of practice and the typical needs of a patient about to undergo surgery. One must be careful not to overburden the patient with detailed information, but provide factual infor¬mation that is beneficial and common sense.
A patient with a complete T10 paraplegia is receiving his initial ambulation training. He has received bilateral Craig-Scott knee-ankle-foot orthoses and is being trained with axillary crutches. Since a reciprocal gait pattern is problematic for him, the BEST initial gait pattern to teach him is:
1) four-point.
2) swing-to.
3) two-point.
4) swing-through.
Question #16
After mastectomy, a patient receiving home care, cannot accept the loss of her breast. She reports being weepy all the time with loss of sleep. She is constantly tired and has no energy to do anything. The BEST action the therapist can take is:
1) contact her primary physician and request a psychological consult.
2) tell the nurse case manager to monitor the patient closely.
3) tell her depression is common at first, but will resolve with time.
4) have her spouse observe her closely for possible suicidal tendencies.
Rationale: A maximum exercise tolerance test is a sign or symptom limited test. Achieving age adjusted predicted maximum heart rate is not a sign or symptom and therefore does not stop the test.
Reasoning: Deductive One must have a solid understanding of pulmonary rehabilitation, specifically typical and atypical responses of the patient. One would expect to see age-predicted maximal heart rate, which should not cause alarm. However, a therapist would not want to see symptomatology that indicates the patient is not tolerating the test and may be displaying signs of distress.
Question #15
Correct Answer2. swing-to.
Rationale: A swing-to gait pattern is indicated for individuals with limited use of both lower extremities and trunk instability. It is slower and more stable than a swing-through gait pattern (a gait pattern this patient can be progressed to after his initial training). This patient is unable to perform a reciprocal gait.
Reasoning: Inference The test taker must understand the properties of gait training, including the development of gait patterns from least to most challenging and most to least stabilizing. Additionally, one must reason how much support is provided during ambulation with the assistive device and orthosis described, coupled with typical mobility of a person with T10 paraplegia. If answered incorrectly, review information on development of gait patterns and mobility for T10 paraplegia and, by extension all levels of spinal cord injury.
Question #16
Correct Answer1. contact her primary physician and request a psychological consult.
Rationale: The patient is experiencing grief over her loss. Significant persistent symptoms are an indication for referral to a qualified professional (psychologist) to help her deal with her loss. She is no longer an inpatient; thus, a nurse case manager would not be able to regularly monitor her behavior. Depression does not necessarily resolve with time and is not an expected consequence of mastectomy. The patient hasn't expressed any suicidal tendencies. If so, the therapist would need to contact the physician immediately.
Reasoning: Evaluation The test taker must understand the scope of practice of physical therapy to arrive at a correct conclusion. While a physical therapist can provide support for a patient who is adjusting to a loss, the test taker must understand that the degree of symptomatology is beyond the scope of the therapist and requires referral to a mental health professional for appropriate support and follow through. Evaluation type questions are challenging, because they require one to go beyond facts and exercise judgment to make the best decision for the patient.
A college volleyball player complains of moderate pain resulting from a left hamstring strain four weeks ago. The focal point of pain and tightness is noted where a hematoma developed initially. The specific massage technique that would be MOST beneficial in this case is:
1) stroking.
2) kneading.
3) tapotement.
4) friction.
Question #18
The 58 year-old patient is ten days post-op left total knee arthroplasty and has been seen by the home care physical therapist twice before since post-op day five. The patient has been taking hydrocodone with ibuprofen for pain since the surgery and is beginning to switch to non-prescription ibuprofen during the daytime. The INR yesterday was within therapeutic levels. The patient has progressed to stand-by assistance in ambulation using a standard walker and is able to complete leg and knee exercises with assistance Today the patient is complaining of back and groin pain of 7/10 when lying in bed or sitting. The pain is 5/10 when standing. Which of the following screening questions is the BEST for the physical therapist to ask in consideration of these new symptoms?
1) When was your last pain medication?
2) Have you been screened for colon cancer?
3) When was your last bowel movement?
4) Do you have any pain or tenderness in your left calf?
Question #19
During an examination of a patient who complains of back pain, the physical therapist notes pain with end range AROM into left hip flexion, abduction and external rotation. The origin of the pain is MOST likely the:
1) sartorius muscle.
2) sacroiliac joint.
3) left kidney.
Rationale: Friction massage is effective when applied across (perpendicular) muscle fibers to stretch scars and loosen adhesions in the tissues resulting from the inflammatory process. Stroking is a relaxation technique and usually initiates and ends mas¬sage treatment. Some passive muscle stretching is performed with deep stroking. Kneading aids in loosening adhesions and increasing venous return. Tapotement is used when nerve stimulation or lung decongestion is the desired treatment.
Reasoning: Analysis One must understand the different healing properties of massage techniques to choose the correct answer. Also one must understand that the symptomatology described is indicative of the presence of scar tissue and adhesions If answered incorrectly, review soft tissue massage guidelines.
Question #18
Correct Answer3. When was your last bowel movement?
Rationale: Post-op constipation is common in patients taking opiods. The lack of any laxatives in the medication profile would indicate a possible problem with the groin pain relieved on standing. The pain medication timing would not be significant with the change in pain level on positional change. The normal INR would make screening for DVT less of a priority. Screening for colon cancer most likely would have been done as part of the general medical exam for surgery.
Reasoning: Inference Inferential reasoning requires one to draw conclusions based on facts, beliefs, and assumptions. In order to arrive at a cor-rect conclusion, the test taker must understand the side effects of taking opioids. In this situation, the patient presents with the common side effect of constipation from opioid use. If answered incorrectly, review common side effects of opioid use.
Question #19
Correct Answer2. sacroiliac joint.
Rationale: Pain at end range of flexion, abduction, and external rotation (FABERE Test) is diagnostic for SI joint dysfunction because it both gaps and compresses the joint Pain at the midrange into hip flexion, abduction and external/lateral rotation suggests hip joint pathology. Renal pain is often referred to the costovertebral region, flank or lower abdominal quadrant.
Reasoning: Analysis To arrive at a correct answer, the test taker must understand typical pain patterns associated with different disorders and dysfunctions. Here, the pain pattern is directly associated with SI joint dysfunction. If answered incorrectly, review infor-mation on SI joint dysfunction.
A therapist wants to compare frequencies of carpal tunnel syndrome occurring in different groups of individuals: assembly line workers and computer programmers. The MOST appropriate statistical tool to use for analysis of the data is:
1) simple one-way ANOVA.
2) t test.
3) normal distribution curve.
4) chi square test.
Question #21
In a research study in which there is a skewed distribution with extreme scores on a balance measure that deviate from the performance of the total group, the MOST accurate representation of central tendency is:
1) mean.
2) mode.
3) median.
4) standard deviation.
Question #22
A factory worker injured the right arm in a factory press with damage to the ulnar nerve at the elbow. A diagnostic EMG was performed with evidence of spontaneous fibrillation potentials. In this case, the physical therapy plan of care should consider that:
1) denervation atrophy has occurred.
2) reinnervation is complete.
3) axonotmesis is occurring.
4) reinnervation is in process.
Question #23
A patient is recovering from a right CVA resulting in severe left hemiplegia and visuospatial deficits. Additionally, there is a large diabetic ulcer on the left foot with pitting edema. The MOST appropriate wheelchair prescription for this patient would be a:
1) hemiplegic chair with elevating legrest on the left.
2) powered wheelchair with joystick and elevating legrests.
3) lightweight active duty wheelchair with elevating legrests.
4) one-arm drive chair with elevating legrest on the left.
Question #24
A 14 year-old boy with advanced Duchenne muscular dystrophy is administered a pulmonary function test. The value that is UNLIKELY to show any deviation from normal is:
1) vital capacity.
2) FEV1.
3) functional residual capacity.
4) total lung capacity.
Question #25
A patient fractured the right midtibia in a skiing accident three months ago. After cast removal, a severe foot drop was noted. The patient desires to try electrical stimulation orthotic substitution. The physical therapist would set up the functional electrical stimulation to contract the appropriate muscles during: