with solutions
A physical therapist assistant collects data on a patient's sharp-dull sensation. Two days later,
the assistant retests the patient's sharp-dull sensation. Which of the following terms BEST
describes the reliability of these measurements?
1. Parallel forms reliability
2. Internal consistency reliability
3. Interrater reliability
4. Intrarater reliability - ANSWER 4. Intrarater reliability
The scenario does not demonstrate interrater reliability, because the same clinician is doing the
measurements, rather than different individuals.
4. This scenario demonstrates intrarater reliability, because the same individual is using the
same measurement tool.
Urge incontinence is BEST characterized by which of the following descriptions?
1. Loss of urine that coincides with increases in intraabdominal pressure
2. Unexpected and uncontrolled loss of urine
3. Constant leaking of urine from an overdistended bladder
4. Difficulty reaching a toilet in time due to joint or muscle dysfunction - ANSWER 2. Unexpected
and uncontrolled loss of urine
1. Stress incontinence, not urge incontinence, is best characterized by loss of urine during
activities that increase intraabdominal pressure.
2. Urge incontinence is the sudden unexpected urge to urinate and the uncontrolled loss of
urine.
3. Overflow incontinence, not urge incontinence, is the constant leaking of urine from a bladder
that is full but unable to empty.
,4. Functional incontinence, not urge incontinence, is best characterized as difficulty reaching a
toilet in time due to joint or muscle dysfunction.
A 16-year-old patient reports developing pain in the shoulders after a 3-year history of athletic
competitions that required repetitive use of the arm in a movement pattern of lateral (external)
rotation and horizontal abduction. Which of the following impairments is MOST consistent with
the patient's mechanism of injury?
1. Weakness of the deltoid muscle
2. Anterior glenohumeral joint instability
3. Anterior glenohumeral joint hypomobility
4. Weakness of the latissimus dorsi muscle - ANSWER 2. Anterior glenohumeral joint instability
2. Anterior instability occurs when the abducted shoulder is repetitively placed in a position of
lateral (external) rotation and horizontal abduction, as occurs in competitive swimming or
various other sports. This can often lead to recurrent subluxations of the shoulder and
ultimately to osteoarthritis or a torn rotator cuff.
A patient who has an infected Stage 4 medial malleolar pressure injury is being treated with a
comprehensive wound care program. Which of the following interventions is MOST
appropriate?
1. Low-amplitude direct current stimulation with positive polarity
2. High-voltage pulsed current electrical stimulation with positive polarity
3. Low-amplitude direct current stimulation with negative polarity
4. High-voltage pulsed current electrical stimulation with negative polarity - ANSWER 4. High-
voltage pulsed current electrical stimulation with negative polarity
1. Low-amplitude direct current is used for transdermal drug delivery via iontophoresis (p. 274).
Direct current can cause chemical effects that are caustic and could damage tissue (p. 231). This
would not be appropriate for wound healing. The positive electrode is most effective to
, promote healing of a clean wound in the proliferative phase; however, the wound in this
scenario is an infected wound and would require a negative polarity (p. 277).
2. High-voltage pulsed current stimulates tissue healing via migration of cells to the treatment
area (p. 271). The positive electrode is most effective to promote healing of a clean wound in
the proliferative phase; however, the wound in this scenario is an infected wound and would
require a negative polarity (p. 277).
3. Low-amplitude direct current is used for transdermal drug delivery via iontophoresis (p. 274).
Direct current can cause chemical effects that are caustic and could damage tissue (p. 231). This
would not be appropriate for wound healing.
4. High-voltage pulsed current can stimulate tissue healing via galvanotaxis, which results in
migration of certain cells to the treatment area based on polarity (p. 271). The negative
electrode is recommended when infection is present (p. 277).
To perform postural drainage to the superior segment of the left lower lobe of a patient's lungs,
the patient should be in which of the following positions?
1. Prone position with pillows under the hips and the bed flat
2. Supine position with pillows under the knees and the bed flat
3. Right sidelying position with pillows behind the back and the foot of the bed elevated
4. Right sidelying position with pillows under the abdomen and the head of the bed elevated -
ANSWER 1. Prone position with pillows under the hips and the bed flat
WHEN THEY SAY SUPERIOR, THINK APICAL
A patient has a transfemoral prosthesis in which the knee friction is inadequate. Which of the
following gait deviations is the patient MOST likely to exhibit?
1. Uneven step length
2. Abduction in stance phase
3. Terminal impact in late swing phase