A physical therapist is providing intervention to a patient with lower
extremity peripheral neuropathy who is confined to bed. When providing
education to the patient and caregivers, which of the following suggestions
should the therapist emphasize?
1. Position foam cushions under the calves.
2. Visually inspect the skin every other day.
3. Place a soft pillow under the heels.
4. Change the patient's position every 4 hours. Right Ans - 1. Position foam
cushions under the calves.
Rationales:
1. Cutaneous areas lacking sensation are at the highest risk for skin
breakdown from trauma or pressure. Heels should be elevated off the
supporting surfaces. (p. 267)
2. Visual inspection should occur daily and throughout the day (p. 310).
3. Individuals with distal neuropathy are at a great risk for development of
ulcers over weight-bearing surfaces of the feet. Heel pressure on all surfaces
should be minimized. (p. 267)
4. Positioning is dependent on the specific condition of each individual
patient. Positioning requires relieving pressure from bony prominences,
which is more important than changing positions at timed intervals. (p. 267)
When performing manual lymphatic drainage, which of the following
techniques is MOST appropriate to use?
1. Decongest the distal segments before progressing to the proximal segments.
2. Decongest the involved trunk quadrant before decongesting the involved
limb.
3. Decongest proximal segments before decongesting the involved trunk
quadrant.
,4. Decongest distal portions of the involved limb before decongesting the
involved trunk quadrant. Right Ans - 2. Decongest the involved trunk
quadrant before decongesting the involved limb.
Lymphatic drainage is performed with the goal of directing the lymphatics
centrally. If the therapist does not first decongest the trunk quadrants, the
lymphatics will remain blocked. SO trunk first, followed by proximal to distal
segments
In splinting or immobilization, the functional position of the hand includes
wrist extension, phalangeal:
1. flexion, and abduction of the thumb (1st digit).
2. extension, and abduction of the thumb (1st digit).
3. extension, and adduction of the thumb (1st digit).
4. flexion, and adduction of the thumb (1st digit). Right Ans - 1. flexion, and
abduction of the thumb (1st digit).
The functional position of the wrist and hand describes the position from
which the optimal function is most likely to occur. This position is described
as: (1) slight wrist extension, (2) slight ulnar deviation, (3) fingers flexed at
the MCP, PIP, and DIP joints, and (4) thumb (1st digit) slightly abducted.
A patient with chest pain from myocardial ischemia will MOST likely exhibit:
1. increased pain upon chest-wall palpation.
2. increased pain with deep breathing.
3. relief with nitroglycerin (Nitrostat).
4. relief with antacid. Right Ans - 3. relief with nitroglycerin (Nitrostat).
1. Increased pain with chest-wall palpation is more indicative of a
musculoskeletal origin of pain.
,2. Increased pain with deep breathing is more indicative of a pulmonary origin
of pain.
3. Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat) is a common vasodilator that is prescribed for
patients who have angina. A vasodilator will improve myocardial blood flow
and help relieve ischemia and its manifestations.
4. Relief of pain with antacid ingestion is more indicative of referred pain from
peptic ulcer disease.
A patient who is 8 months pregnant has an abdominal diastasis recti with a
separation of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). Which of the following exercises would be
MOST appropriate INITIALLY for abdominal strengthening in a supine
position?
1. Trunk curls
2. Hooklying head lifts
3. Pelvic-tilt leg sliding
4. Bilateral leg lowering Right Ans - 2. Hooklying head lifts
1. Trunk curls are contraindicated for a patient who has diastasis recti (p.
948).
2. Supine hooklying head lifts emphasize the rectus abdominis muscle and are
least likely to increase the separation of the diastasis recti (p. 947).
3. Pelvic-tilt leg sliding is more advanced than head lifts and would not be the
most appropriate exercise to use initially (p. 947).
4. Bilateral leg-lowering is an advanced abdominal strengthening exercise that
causes excessive low back strain and should not be performed during
pregnancy (p. 951).
A patient reports weakness and tingling in the lower extremities over the past
2 weeks. The physical therapist suspects that the patient may have Guillain-
Barré syndrome. Which of the following examination findings would MOST
likely occur with this diagnosis?
1. Hypertonicity in the affected muscles
, 2. Presence of clonus with rapid passive foot dorsiflexion
3. Diminished tendon reflexes
4. Ataxic gait pattern Right Ans - 3. Diminished tendon reflexes
1. Hypertonicity is expected with upper motor neuron disease. Guillain-Barré
syndrome is a lower motor neuron disease and is characterized by flaccidity.
2. Clonus is expected with upper motor neuron disease. Guillain-Barré
syndrome is a lower motor neuron and is characterized by hyporeflexia.
3. Guillain-Barré syndrome is a lower motor neuron disorder. Diminished
reflexes are expected with lower motor neuron disease.
4. Ataxia would be much more common with cerebellar disorders.
An exercise program following recent closed reduction of an anterior
dislocation of the shoulder should AVOID which of the following motions?
1. Adduction and medial (internal) rotation
2. Hyperextension and lateral (external) rotation
3. Abduction and flexion
4. Extension and medial (internal) rotation Right Ans - 2. Hyperextension
and lateral (external) rotation
With hyperextension and lateral (external) rotation, the humeral head must
glide anteriorly due to the convex-concave rule. Both of these motions put
additional stress on the anterior capsule via the position of the humeral head
during exercise and should be avoided.
A 6-month-old infant who has Erb palsy is MOST likely to demonstrate which
of the following impairments?
1. Flaccid bilateral upper extremities
2. Involved forearm postured in supination
3. Elbow flexion contracture of the involved arm