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 chronic dizziness and normal vestibular test results is most likely experiencing which condition that requires a specific treatment approach?
Answer: Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
PPPD presents with chronic dizziness, motion sensitivity, and normal vestibular test results, and requires a multidisciplinary approach including vestibular rehabilitation and cognitive-behavioral strategies.
A patient undergoing vestibular rehabilitation reports that symptoms are NOT improving after 4 weeks of appropriate exercises. What is the MOST important next clinical decision?
Answer: Reassess the diagnosis and consider referral for additional vestibular testing
Lack of expected progress after appropriate rehabilitation should trigger diagnostic reassessment, as an incorrect diagnosis or unidentified comorbidity may be impeding recovery.
Which condition represents an ABSOLUTE contraindication to performing the Dix-Hallpike maneuver?
Answer: Unstable atlantoaxial joint with documented cord compression risk
Unstable atlantoaxial joint with documented cord compression risk is an absolute contraindication because the head extension required in Dix-Hallpike could cause spinal cord injury.
When evaluating a patient who reports increased dizziness while grocery shopping, what is this symptom pattern MOST consistent with?
Answer: Visual motion sensitivity or visually-induced dizziness
Complex visual environments like grocery stores with moving visual stimuli and optic flow commonly trigger visual motion sensitivity in patients with vestibular disorders or PPPD.
A therapist is treating a patient 3 days post-labyrinthectomy. What is the PRIMARY goal of vestibular rehabilitation at this early stage?
Answer: Promoting vestibular compensation through progressive mobility activities
In the acute post-operative period following labyrinthectomy, the primary goal is initiating early mobility and progressive activities to promote central vestibular compensation.
A patient on a high-fall-risk protocol reaches for an object on a high shelf and nearly falls. What modification to the home exercise program is MOST appropriate?
Answer: Incorporate overhead reaching tasks in a safe environment as a therapeutic exercise
Overhead reaching is a functional task that should be practiced therapeutically in a controlled setting to build the balance and gaze stability needed to perform it safely at home.
Which ethical principle is MOST directly violated when a vestibular therapist continues aggressive repositioning maneuvers despite a patient's repeated requests to stop?
Answer: Autonomy
Autonomy requires that patients have the right to refuse or stop treatment at any time; continuing despite repeated requests to stop directly violates this foundational ethical principle.