Patient Safety & Clinical Decision-Making Flashcards
7 cards from real CVT 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 Safety & Clinical Decision-Making flashcards as text
A patient with acute unilateral vestibular neuritis reports sudden worsening of vertigo when lying flat. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
Answer: Reassess for central nervous system pathology before continuing treatment
Sudden worsening of vertigo in a patient with presumed peripheral vestibular disorder warrants reassessment for central pathology such as cerebellar stroke before proceeding.
Which fall risk screening tool is most validated for use in vestibular rehabilitation patients?
Answer: Dynamic Gait Index (DGI)
The Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) is specifically validated to predict fall risk in individuals with vestibular disorders and assesses gait under varied task demands.
A 78-year-old patient with BPPV is taking an anticoagulant and has severe osteoporosis. Which precaution is MOST critical when performing the Epley maneuver?
Answer: Perform the maneuver with extreme head movement caution to prevent falls
Severe osteoporosis increases fracture risk with falls; supporting the patient carefully through position changes is the primary safety concern during the Epley maneuver.
During gaze stabilization exercises, a patient reports sudden onset of diplopia and perioral numbness. What should the clinician do FIRST?
Answer: Discontinue treatment and urgently refer for neurological evaluation
Diplopia and perioral numbness are brainstem warning signs that require immediate discontinuation of treatment and urgent neurological referral.
A patient is referred for vestibular rehabilitation after acoustic neuroma surgery. Which outcome measure best captures functional limitations specific to vestibular dysfunction?
Answer: Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI)
The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) is specifically designed and validated to measure the functional, emotional, and physical impact of vestibular disorders.
Which clinical finding most strongly indicates that a patient's dizziness is of central rather than peripheral origin?
Answer: Direction-changing nystagmus in the same head position
Direction-changing nystagmus in the same head position is a central sign because peripheral nystagmus is always unidirectional from a given test position.
A patient with Meniere's disease reports a drop attack (otolithic crisis of Tumarkin) during a therapy session. What is the PRIORITY action?
Answer: Ensure patient safety, keep them supine, and contact emergency services if injury occurred
Drop attacks are sudden and unpredictable; ensuring the patient is safe, assessing for injury, and activating emergency services if needed is the immediate priority.