Midterm Review

A physical therapist assistant is treating a patient in bilateral wrist restraints. After discussion with the medical team, the PTA is able to remove the wrist restraints to complete therapy. The patient tolerates the session well the PTA is getting ready to leave the room; all of the following are safe and appropriate options for a physical therapist assistant to leave their patient at the end of session, EXCEPT:

• Leaving the restraints off after the session

• In bed, with the call light within reach and the bed alarm set

• In bed with 3 bed railings elevated

• In the chair with the chair alarm on and the Nurse informed

During chart review, the Physical Therapy Assistant notes the following lab values: Hemoglobin: 5.9 g/dL, Sodium 140 mEq/L, Calcium 10 mg/dL, and BUN 12. Which one of these lab values would be a reason to hold the therapy session.

• Hemoglobin

• Sodium

• Calcium

• BUN

A physical therapist assistant is treating a patient who is post-op day 2 following a R total hip arthroplasty with posterior hip precautions and is weight bearing as tolerated. On evaluation (POD 1) the patient ambulated 35 feet with a wheeled walker and Moderate assist. Her goals include: 1. Ambulate >/= 150 feet with LRD and Stand by assist 2. Negotiate 3 stairs with bilateral railings and contact guard assist. 3. Complete bed mobility with stand by assist while maintaining hip precautions. Which assistive device would be MOST appropriate for gait training?

• Axillary crutches

• Rollator walker

• Standard Cane

• Wheeled walker

Upon review of the chart the PTA notes the patient has recently been moved to the intensive care unit, the NEXT thing a therapist assistant should do is...

• Refer the patient back to the supervising physical therapist for a re-evaluation

• Complete bed level exercises only

• Place the patient on hold

• Continue with the treatment as planned

A patient needs long term antibiotics when they return home, the medical team recommends this piece of medical equipment, known as ___________

• Dialysis Catheter

• Peripheral IV

• Swan Ganz Catheter

• PICC Line

A physical therapist assistant is working with a patient for the second day in a row, they notice today that the patient has not progressed towards their ambulation goal, nor are they able to recall their exercise program from one day to the next. The next BEST action for the PT to take is.

• Recommend the patient be discharged home

• Discharge the patient from therapy

• Communicate with the supervising PT that the patient is not meeting their goals and many need to discharge to a SNF versus going straight home

• Instruct the nurse to complete the patient's exercises with them 3x/day so they will meet their goals.

A Physical Therapist Assistant is working with a patient who is post op day 2 following L1-2 disectomy, which of the following would be the MOST LIKELY reason to end the therapy session and talk the medical team?

• Decreased sensation immediately next to the incision site

• Requiring minimal assist to complete sit <> stand transfers

• Change in bowel and bladder function

• Drainage in the JP tube less than 25% full

When working with a patient in the Acute Care setting, Physical Therapist Assistants must communicate with the following members of the interdisciplinary team?

• Supervising PT

• Advanced Practice Providers (NP/PA)

• Nursing Staff

• All of the Above

Goals of Acute Care Physical Therapy include: (select all that apply)

• Increasing Range of Motion

• Improving Functional Mobility

• Increasing Strength

• Education

• Discharge Planning

A physical therapist assistant is working with a patient with a Nasogastric tube attached to suction; what is the BEST, FIRST step for the PTA to do prior to ambulating with this patient?

• Put on the Gait Belt

• Check with the RN to see if the nasogastric tube can be disconnected from suction

• Place the tube feed on hold

• Remove the nasogastric tube from suction.