Chapter 1. Clinical Decision Making
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
____ 1. What is the MOST appropriate classification of patient impairments that are the result of inactivity
and expanding multisystem dysfunction following a stroke?
a. Direct impairments
b. Indirect impairments
c. Composite impairments
d. Comprehensive impairments
____ 2. Which one of the following statements BEST describes the difference between measurement and
diagnosis?
a. Measurement describes phenomena in terms that can be analyzed numerically,
whereas diagnosis is the process that labels patients and classifies their illnesses,
leading to the determination of prognoses.
b. Diagnosis describes phenomena in terms that can be analyzed numerically,
whereas measurement is the process that labels patients and classifies their
illnesses, leading to the determination of prognoses.
c. Diagnosis and measurement are part of the same process, and the terms can be
used interchangeably.
d. Measurement requires the use of SOAP notes, whereas diagnosis is facilitated
exclusively through the physical therapy guide.
____ 3. Which one of the following BEST describes the FIRST step that a physical therapist should take
when integrating best evidence into clinical practice?
a. Identify current best evidence on the most successful interventions for the patient’s
diagnosis.
b. Mine the available data and critically appraise the evidence for its validity, level of
evidence, and applicability.
c. Integrate the best evidence into clinical decision making after discussing it with the
patient.
d. Identify a clinically relevant question that is important for the patient.
____ 4. Which of the following questions is designed to assess capacity for functional activities and
participation when interviewing a patient who suffered a stroke?
a. How much of a problem do you have in walking long distances?
b. Is the problem of walking made worse or better by use of an assistive device?
c. How much difficulty do you have walking a quarter of a mile?
d. How much of a problem do you have going up and down stairs?
____ 5. Which one of the following disability standardized instruments is MOST specific for a patient
recovering from a stroke?
a. Functional Independence Measure
b. Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Physical Performance
c. Short Form-36
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
____ 1. What is the MOST appropriate classification of patient impairments that are the result of inactivity
and expanding multisystem dysfunction following a stroke?
a. Direct impairments
b. Indirect impairments
c. Composite impairments
d. Comprehensive impairments
____ 2. Which one of the following statements BEST describes the difference between measurement and
diagnosis?
a. Measurement describes phenomena in terms that can be analyzed numerically,
whereas diagnosis is the process that labels patients and classifies their illnesses,
leading to the determination of prognoses.
b. Diagnosis describes phenomena in terms that can be analyzed numerically,
whereas measurement is the process that labels patients and classifies their
illnesses, leading to the determination of prognoses.
c. Diagnosis and measurement are part of the same process, and the terms can be
used interchangeably.
d. Measurement requires the use of SOAP notes, whereas diagnosis is facilitated
exclusively through the physical therapy guide.
____ 3. Which one of the following BEST describes the FIRST step that a physical therapist should take
when integrating best evidence into clinical practice?
a. Identify current best evidence on the most successful interventions for the patient’s
diagnosis.
b. Mine the available data and critically appraise the evidence for its validity, level of
evidence, and applicability.
c. Integrate the best evidence into clinical decision making after discussing it with the
patient.
d. Identify a clinically relevant question that is important for the patient.
____ 4. Which of the following questions is designed to assess capacity for functional activities and
participation when interviewing a patient who suffered a stroke?
a. How much of a problem do you have in walking long distances?
b. Is the problem of walking made worse or better by use of an assistive device?
c. How much difficulty do you have walking a quarter of a mile?
d. How much of a problem do you have going up and down stairs?
____ 5. Which one of the following disability standardized instruments is MOST specific for a patient
recovering from a stroke?
a. Functional Independence Measure
b. Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Physical Performance
c. Short Form-36
