Equipment and Therapeutic Modalities Flashcards
7 cards from real NPTE-PT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Equipment and Therapeutic Modalities flashcards as text
During lumbar mechanical traction, a patient reports increased lower extremity paresthesias bilaterally. The BEST immediate action is:
Answer: Stop the traction immediately and reassess
Bilateral worsening neurological symptoms during traction may indicate increased spinal cord or cauda equina compromise, requiring immediate cessation.
Which electrode configuration in electrical stimulation results in the deepest current penetration between electrodes?
Answer: Monopolar — active electrode over target, dispersive electrode distant
In monopolar configuration, current flows from the small active electrode through deep tissues to the large dispersive electrode placed at a distance, maximizing depth.
A therapist is selecting a prosthetic foot component for a K3-level transtibial amputee who wants to return to jogging. Which foot is MOST appropriate?
Answer: Energy-storing/returning carbon fiber foot
Energy-storing and returning (ESR) carbon fiber feet store energy during loading and release it at push-off, enabling higher activity levels including jogging.
Which parameter of therapeutic ultrasound should be INCREASED to treat a superficial scar (1 cm depth) and maximize tissue heating?
Answer: Frequency from 1 MHz to 3 MHz
3 MHz ultrasound absorbs more rapidly in superficial tissues (1–2 cm), producing more heat at that depth compared to 1 MHz.
A patient using axillary crutches complains of tingling in the ring and little fingers. The MOST likely cause is:
Answer: Excessive weight bearing through the axillary pad compressing the brachial plexus
Weight bearing through the axillary pad compresses the radial nerve or brachial plexus; however, the ring/little finger pattern specifically points to ulnar nerve or C8/T1 involvement from pad pressure.
For a patient with lymphedema, which hydrotherapy approach is CONTRAINDICATED?
Answer: Neutral warmth whirlpool for dependent extremity
Warm whirlpool with dependent positioning increases hydrostatic pressure and vasodilation, worsening lymphatic congestion and edema.
When fabricating a low-temperature thermoplastic orthosis, the material becomes too rigid before molding is complete. The MOST appropriate solution is:
Answer: Apply a heat gun to the area that has hardened
A heat gun can selectively re-soften thermoplastic material to allow continued molding without overheating the entire piece or starting over.