PTAP 1240 Exam 1 Study Guide: Modalities
and Techniques UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Thermal Modalities - CORRECT ANSWER - Alter tissue temperature to influence blood-
flow, pain, tone, metabolic rate.
Mechanical Modalities - CORRECT ANSWER - Apply mechanical force to move fluid,
stretch tissue, or distract joints.
Electromagnetic Modalities - CORRECT ANSWER - Deliver energy via EM fields for
pain control, tissue heating, or photochemical effects.
Cardinal Signs of Inflammation - CORRECT ANSWER - Redness (rubor), heat (calor),
swelling (tumor), pain (dolor), loss of function (funçio laesa).
Red Flags of Inflammation - CORRECT ANSWER - Increased skin temperature, palpable
warmth, limited range of motion (ROM).
Signs of Infection - CORRECT ANSWER - Chills, malaise, lymphangitic streaking.
Local Signs of Infection - CORRECT ANSWER - Purulent drainage, spreading erythema,
increasing pain, foul odor, fever ≥ 38 °C.
Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) - CORRECT ANSWER - Sudden shortness of breath
(SOB) or chest pain indicates a medical emergency.
Symptoms of DVT - CORRECT ANSWER - Unilateral calf/leg swelling, tenderness,
warmth, pitting edema, visible dilated superficial veins.
, Thermotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - Indicated for sub-acute/chronic pain, joint
stiffness, trigger-point spasm, and before stretch.
Absolute Contra-indications for Thermotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - Acute
hemorrhage, area of thrombophlebitis/DVT, impaired sensation, malignant tumor, impaired
cognition to report heat.
Key Precautions for Thermotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - Pregnancy (abd/lumbar),
severe CVD, open wounds without barrier, significant edema, metal implants (deep heat).
Cryotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - Indicated for acute injury (< 48-72 h), edema
control, spasticity (short-term), and post-exercise muscle soreness.
Absolute Contra-indications for Cryotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - Cold
hypersensitivity/urticaria, cryoglobulinemia, Raynaud disease.
Key Precautions for Cryotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - Hypertension, open wounds,
poor sensation or cognition.
Compression (bandage or IPC) - CORRECT ANSWER - Indicated for
edema/lymphedema, venous insufficiency ulcer, prevention of DVT, and residual limb shaping.
Absolute Contra-indications for Compression - CORRECT ANSWER - Acute pulmonary
edema, CHF decompensation, recent/untreated DVT, severe PAD (ABI < 0.8), local skin
infection.
Key Precautions for Compression - CORRECT ANSWER - Hypertension (do not exceed
DBP), fragile skin, sensory loss, cancer (check MD).
Patient Education Essentials for Heat Therapy - CORRECT ANSWER - 10-20
min/session, at least 1 h between sessions; normal response includes numb, cold, burning, ache
→ analgesia (CBAN).
and Techniques UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Thermal Modalities - CORRECT ANSWER - Alter tissue temperature to influence blood-
flow, pain, tone, metabolic rate.
Mechanical Modalities - CORRECT ANSWER - Apply mechanical force to move fluid,
stretch tissue, or distract joints.
Electromagnetic Modalities - CORRECT ANSWER - Deliver energy via EM fields for
pain control, tissue heating, or photochemical effects.
Cardinal Signs of Inflammation - CORRECT ANSWER - Redness (rubor), heat (calor),
swelling (tumor), pain (dolor), loss of function (funçio laesa).
Red Flags of Inflammation - CORRECT ANSWER - Increased skin temperature, palpable
warmth, limited range of motion (ROM).
Signs of Infection - CORRECT ANSWER - Chills, malaise, lymphangitic streaking.
Local Signs of Infection - CORRECT ANSWER - Purulent drainage, spreading erythema,
increasing pain, foul odor, fever ≥ 38 °C.
Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) - CORRECT ANSWER - Sudden shortness of breath
(SOB) or chest pain indicates a medical emergency.
Symptoms of DVT - CORRECT ANSWER - Unilateral calf/leg swelling, tenderness,
warmth, pitting edema, visible dilated superficial veins.
, Thermotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - Indicated for sub-acute/chronic pain, joint
stiffness, trigger-point spasm, and before stretch.
Absolute Contra-indications for Thermotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - Acute
hemorrhage, area of thrombophlebitis/DVT, impaired sensation, malignant tumor, impaired
cognition to report heat.
Key Precautions for Thermotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - Pregnancy (abd/lumbar),
severe CVD, open wounds without barrier, significant edema, metal implants (deep heat).
Cryotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - Indicated for acute injury (< 48-72 h), edema
control, spasticity (short-term), and post-exercise muscle soreness.
Absolute Contra-indications for Cryotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - Cold
hypersensitivity/urticaria, cryoglobulinemia, Raynaud disease.
Key Precautions for Cryotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - Hypertension, open wounds,
poor sensation or cognition.
Compression (bandage or IPC) - CORRECT ANSWER - Indicated for
edema/lymphedema, venous insufficiency ulcer, prevention of DVT, and residual limb shaping.
Absolute Contra-indications for Compression - CORRECT ANSWER - Acute pulmonary
edema, CHF decompensation, recent/untreated DVT, severe PAD (ABI < 0.8), local skin
infection.
Key Precautions for Compression - CORRECT ANSWER - Hypertension (do not exceed
DBP), fragile skin, sensory loss, cancer (check MD).
Patient Education Essentials for Heat Therapy - CORRECT ANSWER - 10-20
min/session, at least 1 h between sessions; normal response includes numb, cold, burning, ache
→ analgesia (CBAN).
