CALIFORNIA PHYSICAL THERAPY JURISPRUDENCE
ASSESSMENT MODULE (CA-JAM) ACTUAL PREP
QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED ANSWERS -
LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS – ASSURED PASS
1. A licensed physical therapist in California delegates gait training to a
physical therapist assistant (PTA). Which action is legally required for
compliance with California law?
A. The PTA may independently modify the plan of care based on patient
response
B. The physical therapist must have established the plan of care prior to
delegation
C. The PTA may perform the initial evaluation if competent
D. Supervision is only required if the patient is high risk
Rationale: California law requires that the physical therapist perform the
initial evaluation and establish the plan of care before delegating
treatment interventions to a PTA.
2. A patient self-refers to a physical therapist in California for low back pain.
Which action must the physical therapist take to remain compliant with
direct access laws?
A. Decline treatment until a physician referral is obtained
B. Treat the patient without restriction for 60 calendar days
C. Refer the patient to a physician if signs and symptoms indicate a
condition outside the PT scope
D. Provide treatment only after notifying the Medical Board of California
Rationale: Under California direct access, PTs may treat without referral
, but must refer to an appropriate provider when findings fall outside PT
scope or require medical diagnosis.
3. Which activity is within the legal scope of practice for a licensed physical
therapist in California?
A. Prescribing controlled medications
B. Performing joint mobilization and therapeutic exercise
C. Diagnosing systemic disease
D. Performing surgical procedures
Rationale: California law permits PTs to examine, evaluate, and treat
movement dysfunction using therapeutic interventions but prohibits
prescribing medication or performing surgery.
4. A physical therapist fails to adequately document patient care. Which
disciplinary action may the Physical Therapy Board of California impose?
A. Mandatory retirement
B. Criminal prosecution only
C. Citation, fine, probation, suspension, or revocation
D. No action unless patient harm occurred
Rationale: Failure to maintain proper records is unprofessional conduct
and may result in a range of administrative disciplinary actions.
5. Which individual may legally perform physical therapy interventions in
California under supervision?
A. Physical therapy aide
B. Physical therapist assistant
C. Athletic trainer
D. Medical assistant
Rationale: Only licensed PTAs may provide selected physical therapy
interventions under appropriate supervision.
,6. What is the minimum requirement for patient record retention for adults
under California law?
A. 3 years
B. 7 years
C. 10 years
D. Permanently
Rationale: California regulations require adult patient records to be
retained for a minimum of seven years after the last date of service.
7. A physical therapist advertises guaranteed outcomes. This is best described
as:
A. Acceptable marketing
B. Patient education
C. Unprofessional conduct
D. Protected speech
Rationale: Guaranteeing outcomes is misleading and constitutes
unprofessional conduct under California law.
8. Which scenario represents a violation of patient confidentiality?
A. Discussing patient progress with the treating PTA
B. Sharing identifiable patient information without authorization
C. Submitting documentation for insurance reimbursement
D. Consulting with another healthcare provider involved in care
Rationale: Disclosure of identifiable health information without
authorization violates confidentiality and privacy laws.
9. A physical therapist receives a subpoena for patient records. What is the
most appropriate action?
A. Ignore the request
B. Release all records immediately
, C. Verify validity and comply according to legal requirements
D. Require patient presence before release
Rationale: Subpoenas must be verified and complied with according to
legal and privacy requirements.
10. Which action is required when a physical therapist suspects abuse of a
dependent adult?
A. Document only
B. Notify the employer
C. Report to appropriate authorities as mandated
D. Obtain family consent first
Rationale: Physical therapists are mandated reporters and must report
suspected abuse to designated authorities.
11. Which individual is responsible for determining patient discharge from
physical therapy services?
A. Physical therapy assistant
B. Physical therapist
C. Referring physician only
D. Office administrator
Rationale: Only the physical therapist has the legal authority to determine
discharge from PT services.
12. What level of supervision is required for a PTA performing patient treatment
in an outpatient setting?
A. Continuous line-of-sight supervision
B. General supervision with PT availability
C. No supervision required
D. Direct supervision at all times
ASSESSMENT MODULE (CA-JAM) ACTUAL PREP
QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED ANSWERS -
LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS – ASSURED PASS
1. A licensed physical therapist in California delegates gait training to a
physical therapist assistant (PTA). Which action is legally required for
compliance with California law?
A. The PTA may independently modify the plan of care based on patient
response
B. The physical therapist must have established the plan of care prior to
delegation
C. The PTA may perform the initial evaluation if competent
D. Supervision is only required if the patient is high risk
Rationale: California law requires that the physical therapist perform the
initial evaluation and establish the plan of care before delegating
treatment interventions to a PTA.
2. A patient self-refers to a physical therapist in California for low back pain.
Which action must the physical therapist take to remain compliant with
direct access laws?
A. Decline treatment until a physician referral is obtained
B. Treat the patient without restriction for 60 calendar days
C. Refer the patient to a physician if signs and symptoms indicate a
condition outside the PT scope
D. Provide treatment only after notifying the Medical Board of California
Rationale: Under California direct access, PTs may treat without referral
, but must refer to an appropriate provider when findings fall outside PT
scope or require medical diagnosis.
3. Which activity is within the legal scope of practice for a licensed physical
therapist in California?
A. Prescribing controlled medications
B. Performing joint mobilization and therapeutic exercise
C. Diagnosing systemic disease
D. Performing surgical procedures
Rationale: California law permits PTs to examine, evaluate, and treat
movement dysfunction using therapeutic interventions but prohibits
prescribing medication or performing surgery.
4. A physical therapist fails to adequately document patient care. Which
disciplinary action may the Physical Therapy Board of California impose?
A. Mandatory retirement
B. Criminal prosecution only
C. Citation, fine, probation, suspension, or revocation
D. No action unless patient harm occurred
Rationale: Failure to maintain proper records is unprofessional conduct
and may result in a range of administrative disciplinary actions.
5. Which individual may legally perform physical therapy interventions in
California under supervision?
A. Physical therapy aide
B. Physical therapist assistant
C. Athletic trainer
D. Medical assistant
Rationale: Only licensed PTAs may provide selected physical therapy
interventions under appropriate supervision.
,6. What is the minimum requirement for patient record retention for adults
under California law?
A. 3 years
B. 7 years
C. 10 years
D. Permanently
Rationale: California regulations require adult patient records to be
retained for a minimum of seven years after the last date of service.
7. A physical therapist advertises guaranteed outcomes. This is best described
as:
A. Acceptable marketing
B. Patient education
C. Unprofessional conduct
D. Protected speech
Rationale: Guaranteeing outcomes is misleading and constitutes
unprofessional conduct under California law.
8. Which scenario represents a violation of patient confidentiality?
A. Discussing patient progress with the treating PTA
B. Sharing identifiable patient information without authorization
C. Submitting documentation for insurance reimbursement
D. Consulting with another healthcare provider involved in care
Rationale: Disclosure of identifiable health information without
authorization violates confidentiality and privacy laws.
9. A physical therapist receives a subpoena for patient records. What is the
most appropriate action?
A. Ignore the request
B. Release all records immediately
, C. Verify validity and comply according to legal requirements
D. Require patient presence before release
Rationale: Subpoenas must be verified and complied with according to
legal and privacy requirements.
10. Which action is required when a physical therapist suspects abuse of a
dependent adult?
A. Document only
B. Notify the employer
C. Report to appropriate authorities as mandated
D. Obtain family consent first
Rationale: Physical therapists are mandated reporters and must report
suspected abuse to designated authorities.
11. Which individual is responsible for determining patient discharge from
physical therapy services?
A. Physical therapy assistant
B. Physical therapist
C. Referring physician only
D. Office administrator
Rationale: Only the physical therapist has the legal authority to determine
discharge from PT services.
12. What level of supervision is required for a PTA performing patient treatment
in an outpatient setting?
A. Continuous line-of-sight supervision
B. General supervision with PT availability
C. No supervision required
D. Direct supervision at all times
