An older adult at risk for falls has undergone a structured home-based exercise program that
consisted of standing balance training and strengthening exercises. The measure that can BEST show
improvement is:
6-minute walk test
Berg balance scale
Timed up and go
Tinetti - correct answer Berg balance
The patient is a 71-year-old male. He was recently discharged from an inpatient rehabilitation facility
after suffering a right closed femoral fracture due to a fall. He subsequently had an ORIF to his right
femur. His past medical history is significant for a CVA with right hemiparesis. He was using an SPC
prior to the fall. He currently is using an FWW with a right forearm platform for all ambulation. His
weight-bearing orders are 25% on right lower extremity. He completed a 10-Meter Walk Test in 50
seconds (0.2 m/s). Which of the following would be the best therapeutic exercise intervention for the
patient as part of his home physical therapy plan of care?
part 1/2
bilat standing hip abduction
marching
mini squats
supine straight leg rises - correct answer Supine straight leg raises
This patient's gait speed indicates which of the following?
part 2/2
he is likely independent in his ADLs and IADLs
he is able to cross a street safely due to his normal walking speed
he is likely to be a community ambulatory
he is less likely to have an adverse event, such as a fall - correct answer he is likely independent in his
ADLs and IADLs
,Geri exam 1 questions with verified answers graded A+ latest update
A 72-year-old male recently underwent a right total hip arthroplasty with a posterior approach. His
past medical history is significant for hypertension and high cholesterol, which are controlled with
medications. He presents to an outpatient physical therapy clinic for an initial evaluation. He is no
longer using an assistive device for ambulation. During the gait assessment, the physical therapist
notes a significant right trunk lean during stance phases on the right. Based on the patient's gait
assessment, which of the following muscle groups is likely weak?
Hip flexors
Hip extensors
Knee extensors
Hip abductors - correct answer Hip abductors
Which of the following interventions is the best exercise to improve his gait deviation?
Sidelying straight leg lifts
Riding a recumbent bicycle
Balance exercises emphasizing a level pelvis
Supine bridge exercises - correct answer Balance exercises emphasizing a level pelvis
Reason: This exercise is useful because it is weight-bearing and it mimics the hip abductors' function
of stabilizing the pelvis during single-limb stance of gait. To answer this question correctly, one has to
have a good understanding of the action of the hip abductors during the stance phases of gait and
therapeutic exercise that will closely mimic that. Sidelying straight leg lifts will target the hip
abductors, but it is non-weight-bearing and may not be the best choice to improve his gait deviation.
Supine bridge exercises will target several muscles but do not isolate the hip abductors and do not
necessarily correlate to the hip abductors' function during gait. A recumbent bicycle will not improve
the strength of the hip abductors.
For which of the following conditions is use of the Borg Scale appropriate to monitor exercise
intensity?
Use for patients on bronchodilators
Use in self-monitoring of aerobic and/or resistance training
Use if a pacemaker is present
Use when the patient is on a benzodiazepine drug - correct answer Use in self-monitoring of aerobic
and/or resistance training
Gait characteristics of low-functioning older adults include:
,Geri exam 1 questions with verified answers graded A+ latest update
Increased dual stance time
Decreased dual stance time
Increased DGI scores
Decreased TUG scores - correct answer Increased dual stance time
Reason: Low-functioning older adults have gait characteristics that typically increase dual stance time
in order to create increased stability and safety. These characteristics may include slower gait velocity
(walking speed and TUG performance), increased stance-to-swing ratio, decreased step length, and
decreased stability in dynamic balance (DGI tasks).
Which statement is true regarding fear of falling?
No valid tool exists to effectively measure fear of falling
It is not important; only an actual fall with injury is important in identifying future risk for fall
Fear of falling and avoidance of activity is typically underreported
Patients will typically have fear of falling only if they have experienced an injury from a fall - correct
answer Fear of falling and avoidance of activity is typically underreported
term-8Reason: Older adults who fall develop a fear of falling even if they sustain no injury. Fear of
falling causes them to limit their activity, which in turn leads to reduced mobility and fitness and
subsequent increase in fall risk. Fear of falling is strongly associated with future falls. Fear of falling is
well validated with the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale and the Falls Efficacy Scale. (See
rehabmeasures.org)
Functional tests that are appropriate for older adults and provide comparisons to normative data in
assessment of endurance include:
Walking speed, TUG
6-Minute Walk Test, 2-Minute Step Test
DGI, FGA
5 Times Sit-to-Stand Test - correct answer Reason: All of the tests listed have good validity and
normative-based references for performance; however, only the 6-Minute Walk Test and the 2-
Minute Step Test are direct measures of endurance. A discussion of interpretation of these tests and
their application to developing a plan of care is found in the article by Whetten and Struder.
[Whetten, B. K., & Struder, M. T. (2011). Physical therapists as the pharmacists of exercise:
Determining the appropriate dosage (intensity) for your patient. GeriNotes, 18(1), 27-30.]
6-Minute Walk Test, 2-Minute Step Test
James is 87 years old. He lives at home alone and has recent weight loss, insomnia, increased
confusion, and a fall with UE fracture. He is referred to therapy for gait and balance following his
ground-level fall. Your assessment and plan of care includes:
, Geri exam 1 questions with verified answers graded A+ latest update
Limit his care to rehabilitation of the UE fracture to maximize return to function for ADLs.
Referral to speech therapy for a dysphagia study to address his weight loss.
DGI, FGA, and BESTest to clarify balance and gait factors contributing to his fall and determine his
need for an assistive device
Recognition of his symptoms as geriatric syndrome, which will require a multidisciplinary approach to
address his risk for further functional decline and morbidity in his current living situation. - correct
answer Recognition of his symptoms as geriatric syndrome, which will require a multidisciplinary
approach to address his risk for further functional decline and morbidity in his current living
situation.
The benefits of early mobilization in the ICU include all of the following except:
Preserved musculoskeletal and neuromuscular integrity
Enhanced cardiovascular function
Decreased chronic inflammation
Impaired blood sugar homeostasis - correct answer Impaired blood sugar homeostasis
Serum enzymes are a valuable lab value in initial assessment of critical illness because:
Serum enzymes reflect risk for cardiovascular disease.
Serum enzymes and markers are evidence of tissue breakdown or cellular damage.
Serum enzymes define the coagulation profile of the patient's blood, an important consideration for
patients with atrial fibrillation, mechanical heart valves, or recent trauma.
Serum enzymes are not helpful in understanding the degree of critical illness in older adults - correct
answer Serum enzymes and markers are evidence of tissue breakdown or cellular damage.
Reason: Serum enzymes and markers reflect the extent of tissue involvement or dysfunction
resulting from a cancer or medical event, such as MI, CHF, or liver dysfunction, as evidence of tissue
breakdown or cellular damage.
Mr. Jones is an 86-year-old male patient on your home health schedule. Original admission to the
hospital was 15 days ago for ORIF after left hip fracture from a fall at home. He was admitted to a
skilled nursing facility from the hospital 10 days ago. Due to a fall with a question of displacement of