DPT 712 SCI EVALUATION EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS VERIFIED
What is the continuum of care for a pt with a SCI?
acute care - inpatient rehab - home care rehab - outpatient rehab
The goals established in the acute care setting should be (similar/different) to the
goals in the inpatient setting?
similar, but possibly more progressed
What type of injury can be concomitant with a SCI that is typically missed early
on due to the magnitude of the primary injury at hand (aka the SCI)?
brain injury or concussion
During the history, what should we keep in mind?
include the pt as an active participant
get down to their level (eye contact)
establish rapport by allowing them to tell their story
think about what medical information we NEED to know (did they have a fusion,
laminectomy, etc)
think about PLOF/participation
D/C plans
pt/caregiver concerns & goals
pt/caregiver education. needs (exam findings/prog)
What are precautions we need to be aware of?
, Medical or orthopedic
◦WB status
◦Physiological stability
◦Internal organ damage
Spinal precautions
◦Muscle testing
◦Orthoses
◦Muscle pull on vertebrae
◦ROM
◦Could be from SCI or associated Fxs
◦Functional mobility
If a pt has a lumbar level SCI, what MMT are we avoiding?
hip flexors - the contraction directly pulls on lumbar vertebrae
For PROM, we should test all major joints, especially if functionally relevant. What
are other key muscles we should measure?
◦Hamstring flexibility with pelvis stable (supine)
◦Biceps brachii
◦Long finger flexors (and extensors)
◦Pec major (shoulder)
◦Rectus femoris (hip)
◦Gastroc
What are precautions specific to PROM if the pt has an unstable lumbar spine?
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS VERIFIED
What is the continuum of care for a pt with a SCI?
acute care - inpatient rehab - home care rehab - outpatient rehab
The goals established in the acute care setting should be (similar/different) to the
goals in the inpatient setting?
similar, but possibly more progressed
What type of injury can be concomitant with a SCI that is typically missed early
on due to the magnitude of the primary injury at hand (aka the SCI)?
brain injury or concussion
During the history, what should we keep in mind?
include the pt as an active participant
get down to their level (eye contact)
establish rapport by allowing them to tell their story
think about what medical information we NEED to know (did they have a fusion,
laminectomy, etc)
think about PLOF/participation
D/C plans
pt/caregiver concerns & goals
pt/caregiver education. needs (exam findings/prog)
What are precautions we need to be aware of?
, Medical or orthopedic
◦WB status
◦Physiological stability
◦Internal organ damage
Spinal precautions
◦Muscle testing
◦Orthoses
◦Muscle pull on vertebrae
◦ROM
◦Could be from SCI or associated Fxs
◦Functional mobility
If a pt has a lumbar level SCI, what MMT are we avoiding?
hip flexors - the contraction directly pulls on lumbar vertebrae
For PROM, we should test all major joints, especially if functionally relevant. What
are other key muscles we should measure?
◦Hamstring flexibility with pelvis stable (supine)
◦Biceps brachii
◦Long finger flexors (and extensors)
◦Pec major (shoulder)
◦Rectus femoris (hip)
◦Gastroc
What are precautions specific to PROM if the pt has an unstable lumbar spine?
