THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS Exam
Questions and Answers Latest 2025 Top
Rated A+
Which of the following heat transfer mechanisms involves
the direct contact between the heated object and the
patient's skin?
Conduction
Cold applied to the skin causes an immediate reduction in
skin temperature and vasodilation of the cutaneous vessels
in the area of application
False
Which of the following clinical indications is commonly
associated with the use of cryotherapy?
Alleviating acute pain and inflammation after injury.
Nerve conduction velocity decreases after a superficial
cooling agent is applied to the skin for 5 minutes or longer.
False
Which of the following is described as a purpose for the use
of cryotherapy?
Altering muscle strength
Which of the following conditions is typically indicated for
the use of superficial heat in physical therapy?
Muscle spasms and guarding.
Which of the following situations would be considered a
precaution for using superficial heat in physical therapy?
Acute inflammation and swelling.
Cryotherapy is preferred over thermotherapy when the goal
is to decrease joint stiffness.
False
The thermal effects of ultrasound are used more often in
clinical practice than the non-thermal or mechanical effects.
True
,Which of the following is an indication for the use of
therapeutic ultrasound?
Pain control
How many pulses are present in this figure?
2
How many phases are present in this figure?
4
The presence of a pacemaker is a contraindication for the
use of electrical current as a physical agent?
True
Open wounds on the skin are a contraindication for the use
of electrical currents as a physical agent?
False
Which of the following accurately describes an electrically-
stimulated muscle contraction?
Synchronous
Which of the following accurately describes the on:off/ramp
times for using electrical stimulation for reducing edema?
Off time: 2-5 seconds
Which of the following is true regarding TENS versus
interferential current?
Both are used for assisting in pain control
Dexamethasone, a common transdermal medication
delivered via iontophoresis, has a (+) polarity
False
The use of thermal modalities either before or after
iontophoresis can affect the efficacy of the iontophoresis
treatment
True
One reason for using electrical current to deliver medication
through transdermal application is to bypass the liver.
True
Physical Agents
Energy and materials applied to patients to assist in rehabilitation.
Also referred to as biophysical agents or modalities
,Thermal Agents
Physical agents that increase or decrease tissue temperature
Electromagnetic Agents
Physical agents that apply energy to the patient in the form of
electromagnetic radiation or electrical current.
Mechanical Agents
Physical agents that apply force to increase or decrease pressure
on the body.
Precautions
Conditions in which a particular treatment should be applied with
special care or limitations. Also referred to as Relative
Contraindications
Contraindications
Conditions in which a particular treatment should not be applies.
Also referred to as Absolute Contraindications
What do physical agents accomplish?
- Modify tissue inflammation and healing - Relieve pain - Alter
muscle tone/muscle contraction ability - Alter collagen extensibility
and motion restrictions
General Contraindications/Precautions
Pregnancy - Malignancy - Pacemaker or other implanted
electronic medical device - Impaired sensation/mentation
Evidence Based Practice
Best available evidence - Clinician expertise - Patient values
Combining complementary physical agents
- RICE - Heat and TENs - TENs and Ice - E-stim (NMES) and
Heat - E-stim and Compression
Inflammation Phase
The first phase of of healing after tissue damage
Proliferation Phase
The second phase of tissue healing, during which damaged
structures are rebuilt and the wound is strengthened
Maturation Phase
The final phase of tissue healing in which scar tissue is modified
into its mature form
, Chronic Inflammation
The simultaneous progression of active inflammation, tissue
destruction, and healing. May last for months or years. Different
than tendinopathy.
Factors Influencing Healing Local
Type, size, and location of injury
Vascular Support
Movement/excessive pressure
Temperature deviation
Topical Medications
Electromagnetic Energy
Retained foreign body
Factors Influencing Healing Systemic
Age
Infection or diease
Metabolic status
Nutrition
Hormones
Medication
Fever
Oxygen
Cartilage
Limited ability to heal - Lacks lymphatics, blood vessels, and
nerves - Cartilaginous injuries that also involve subchondral bone
allow inflammatory cells from bone to gain access to repair the
injured cartilage
Tendons and Ligaments
- Potential for repair of these tissues depends on the type of
tendon or ligament, extent of damage, vascular supply, and
control of movement
- If healing occurs, tendons possess a unique scar maturation
phase that can achieve an advanced state of repair
- Ligaments heal better with controlled passive mobilization
Skeletal Muscle
Questions and Answers Latest 2025 Top
Rated A+
Which of the following heat transfer mechanisms involves
the direct contact between the heated object and the
patient's skin?
Conduction
Cold applied to the skin causes an immediate reduction in
skin temperature and vasodilation of the cutaneous vessels
in the area of application
False
Which of the following clinical indications is commonly
associated with the use of cryotherapy?
Alleviating acute pain and inflammation after injury.
Nerve conduction velocity decreases after a superficial
cooling agent is applied to the skin for 5 minutes or longer.
False
Which of the following is described as a purpose for the use
of cryotherapy?
Altering muscle strength
Which of the following conditions is typically indicated for
the use of superficial heat in physical therapy?
Muscle spasms and guarding.
Which of the following situations would be considered a
precaution for using superficial heat in physical therapy?
Acute inflammation and swelling.
Cryotherapy is preferred over thermotherapy when the goal
is to decrease joint stiffness.
False
The thermal effects of ultrasound are used more often in
clinical practice than the non-thermal or mechanical effects.
True
,Which of the following is an indication for the use of
therapeutic ultrasound?
Pain control
How many pulses are present in this figure?
2
How many phases are present in this figure?
4
The presence of a pacemaker is a contraindication for the
use of electrical current as a physical agent?
True
Open wounds on the skin are a contraindication for the use
of electrical currents as a physical agent?
False
Which of the following accurately describes an electrically-
stimulated muscle contraction?
Synchronous
Which of the following accurately describes the on:off/ramp
times for using electrical stimulation for reducing edema?
Off time: 2-5 seconds
Which of the following is true regarding TENS versus
interferential current?
Both are used for assisting in pain control
Dexamethasone, a common transdermal medication
delivered via iontophoresis, has a (+) polarity
False
The use of thermal modalities either before or after
iontophoresis can affect the efficacy of the iontophoresis
treatment
True
One reason for using electrical current to deliver medication
through transdermal application is to bypass the liver.
True
Physical Agents
Energy and materials applied to patients to assist in rehabilitation.
Also referred to as biophysical agents or modalities
,Thermal Agents
Physical agents that increase or decrease tissue temperature
Electromagnetic Agents
Physical agents that apply energy to the patient in the form of
electromagnetic radiation or electrical current.
Mechanical Agents
Physical agents that apply force to increase or decrease pressure
on the body.
Precautions
Conditions in which a particular treatment should be applied with
special care or limitations. Also referred to as Relative
Contraindications
Contraindications
Conditions in which a particular treatment should not be applies.
Also referred to as Absolute Contraindications
What do physical agents accomplish?
- Modify tissue inflammation and healing - Relieve pain - Alter
muscle tone/muscle contraction ability - Alter collagen extensibility
and motion restrictions
General Contraindications/Precautions
Pregnancy - Malignancy - Pacemaker or other implanted
electronic medical device - Impaired sensation/mentation
Evidence Based Practice
Best available evidence - Clinician expertise - Patient values
Combining complementary physical agents
- RICE - Heat and TENs - TENs and Ice - E-stim (NMES) and
Heat - E-stim and Compression
Inflammation Phase
The first phase of of healing after tissue damage
Proliferation Phase
The second phase of tissue healing, during which damaged
structures are rebuilt and the wound is strengthened
Maturation Phase
The final phase of tissue healing in which scar tissue is modified
into its mature form
, Chronic Inflammation
The simultaneous progression of active inflammation, tissue
destruction, and healing. May last for months or years. Different
than tendinopathy.
Factors Influencing Healing Local
Type, size, and location of injury
Vascular Support
Movement/excessive pressure
Temperature deviation
Topical Medications
Electromagnetic Energy
Retained foreign body
Factors Influencing Healing Systemic
Age
Infection or diease
Metabolic status
Nutrition
Hormones
Medication
Fever
Oxygen
Cartilage
Limited ability to heal - Lacks lymphatics, blood vessels, and
nerves - Cartilaginous injuries that also involve subchondral bone
allow inflammatory cells from bone to gain access to repair the
injured cartilage
Tendons and Ligaments
- Potential for repair of these tissues depends on the type of
tendon or ligament, extent of damage, vascular supply, and
control of movement
- If healing occurs, tendons possess a unique scar maturation
phase that can achieve an advanced state of repair
- Ligaments heal better with controlled passive mobilization
Skeletal Muscle
