Clinical Reasoning Flashcards
7 cards from real CHT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Clinical Reasoning flashcards as text
A patient with a zone II flexor tendon repair at 6 weeks post-op shows good passive motion but limited active FDP glide. The MOST likely clinical reasoning is:
Answer: Tendon adhesions at the repair site
Limited active FDP glide with preserved passive motion at 6 weeks post zone II repair strongly suggests peritendinous adhesion formation restricting tendon excursion.
Which outcome measure is MOST appropriate for capturing a patient's self-reported hand function disability after carpal tunnel release?
Answer: Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH)
The DASH is a validated patient-reported outcome measure specifically designed to capture upper extremity functional disability.
A patient post-extensor tendon repair (zone VI) presents with an extensor lag at the MP joint. What clinical reasoning step should the CHT take NEXT?
Answer: Rule out tendon rupture and assess repair integrity
An extensor lag after zone VI repair requires first ruling out repair rupture before initiating further exercise or splinting.
When using clinical prediction rules for therapy, a CHT should PRIMARILY consider:
Answer: The rule's sensitivity and specificity in the study population
The diagnostic accuracy of a clinical prediction rule, expressed through sensitivity and specificity, is the primary indicator of its clinical applicability.
A 55-year-old patient with rheumatoid arthritis has ulnar drift and swan-neck deformities. Which clinical reasoning principle guides splinting priority?
Answer: Prioritize function and prevention of further deformity progression
In RA management, splinting aims to optimize functional use and prevent deformity progression, balancing joint protection with maintaining independence.
A CHT is treating a patient after replantation of the index finger. On day 3, the finger is cool and pale. The MOST critical clinical reasoning action is:
Answer: Notify the surgeon immediately for possible vascular compromise
Cool, pale appearance post-replantation signals arterial insufficiency, a surgical emergency requiring immediate physician notification.
A patient develops hypersensitivity after digital nerve repair. Which clinical reasoning framework guides progression of desensitization treatment?
Answer: Progress from least to most irritating stimuli in a graded hierarchy
Desensitization follows a graded hierarchy from least to most irritating stimuli to progressively decrease hypersensitivity through habituation.