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
A physical therapist applies cold pack cryotherapy. In what order do patients typically experience sensory changes during the application?
Answer: Cold → burning → aching → numbness
The classic progression of sensory changes with cryotherapy is cold, then burning/stinging, then deep aching, then numbness (the CBAN sequence).
A patient with a pressure injury (Stage III) on the ischium is receiving electrical stimulation for wound healing. Which waveform is FDA-cleared and MOST evidence-supported for this application?
Answer: High-voltage pulsed current (HVPC)
High-voltage pulsed current (HVPC) has the strongest evidence and FDA clearance for promoting healing of chronic wounds including pressure injuries.
A therapist is instructing a patient in stair climbing with bilateral Lofstrand crutches using a 3-point non-weight-bearing gait. When going UP stairs, the correct sequence is:
Answer: Uninvolved leg first, then crutches and involved leg together
Going up stairs with NWB: the uninvolved leg leads ('good goes up to heaven'), then crutches and the involved extremity follow.
Which orthotics intervention is MOST appropriate for a patient with posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction (Stage II flatfoot)?
Answer: UCBL orthosis with rigid medial longitudinal arch support
A UCBL (University of California Biomechanics Laboratory) orthosis provides rigid support to the medial longitudinal arch and controls subtalar pronation in Stage II PTTD.
A physical therapist is using phonophoresis to deliver hydrocortisone through the skin. What is the PRIMARY mechanism by which ultrasound enhances drug delivery?
Answer: Acoustic cavitation and acoustic streaming enhance skin permeability
Acoustic cavitation and streaming from ultrasound increase membrane permeability, facilitating transcutaneous drug penetration.
A patient is receiving diathermy for hip osteoarthritis and has an intrauterine device (IUD). What is the MOST appropriate action?
Answer: Avoid diathermy over the pelvis/lower abdomen due to the metal IUD
Metal IUDs are contraindicated with diathermy in the pelvic region because the device can concentrate energy and cause tissue damage or heating.
When measuring for axillary crutches, which measurement most accurately determines proper crutch length?
Answer: Distance from anterior axillary fold to a point 6 inches lateral to the fifth toe
Proper crutch length is measured from the anterior axillary fold to a point 6 inches lateral and 2 inches anterior to the fifth toe with the patient standing.