Patient Evaluation & Treatment Planning Flashcards
7 cards from real CMT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Evaluation & Treatment Planning flashcards as text
A manual therapist is evaluating hip ROM and notes a capsular pattern of restriction. In the hip, the capsular pattern is characterized by:
Answer: Greatest restriction of internal rotation, then flexion, then abduction
The hip capsular pattern follows the sequence of most-to-least restricted: internal rotation > flexion > abduction, indicating diffuse capsular involvement.
Which assessment finding would suggest central sensitization rather than peripheral nociception as the primary pain driver?
Answer: Allodynia, widespread non-anatomical pain distribution, and hypersensitivity to multiple stimuli
Central sensitization is characterized by allodynia, disproportionate and widespread pain, and heightened sensitivity to multiple sensory stimuli beyond the original injury site.
A patient returns for reassessment after four sessions. Her ODI score decreased from 52% to 38%. According to established minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the ODI, this change is:
Answer: Clinically meaningful because it exceeds the 10-point MCID threshold
The MCID for the Oswestry Disability Index is approximately 10 percentage points; a 14-point improvement exceeds this threshold and represents a clinically meaningful change.
When evaluating a patient with suspected temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, the therapist should assess jaw deviation during opening because:
Answer: Deviation toward a side during opening suggests ipsilateral restricted condylar translation
Jaw deviation toward a side during opening indicates restricted condylar translation on that same side, suggesting ipsilateral TMJ dysfunction or anterior disc displacement.
During a thoracic assessment, the therapist uses a stethoscope and finds decreased breath sounds in the left lower lobe. The appropriate next step is to:
Answer: Refer the patient to a physician before continuing evaluation
Decreased unilateral breath sounds is a respiratory red flag suggesting possible pneumothorax, effusion, or consolidation, warranting medical referral before manual therapy.
Which principle guides the selection of technique grade (I–IV) in Maitland's joint mobilization framework?
Answer: Grade is determined by the position within the available range and the intent (pain relief vs. stiffness)
Maitland's grades I–II target pain relief through neurophysiological mechanisms early in range, while grades III–IV address stiffness by working into resistance.
A patient presents with a positive Thomas test showing limited right hip extension with concurrent lumbar lordosis increase. This indicates:
Answer: Right hip flexor tightness causing lumbar extension compensation
A positive Thomas test with lumbar lordosis increase indicates right iliopsoas tightness, which pulls the lumbar spine into extension to allow the hip to appear flat.