Equipment, Devices & Technologies Flashcards
7 cards from real NPTE-PTA 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, Devices & Technologies flashcards as text
An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) that prevents plantarflexion while permitting dorsiflexion is MOST beneficial for a patient with:
Answer: Foot drop during the swing phase of gait
A dorsiflexion-assist or solid AFO set in neutral prevents foot drop during swing phase by keeping the foot from plantarflexing and catching the ground.
A patient with a transtibial (below-knee) amputation demonstrates lateral trunk lean toward the prosthetic side during stance. This is MOST likely caused by a prosthetic foot set in:
Answer: Excessive plantarflexion
Excessive plantarflexion of the prosthetic foot creates a functionally shorter limb during stance, causing the patient to lean toward the prosthesis to maintain balance.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is MOST appropriate for which patient goal?
Answer: Reduction of chronic low back pain
TENS is primarily used for pain modulation through gate control or endogenous opioid mechanisms, making pain reduction its most well-supported clinical application.
Which TENS parameter setting is associated with the gate control theory of pain modulation?
Answer: High frequency (80-150 Hz) at low intensity producing paresthesia
Conventional (high-frequency, low-intensity) TENS activates large-diameter Aβ sensory fibers that inhibit nociceptive transmission in the dorsal horn via gate control.
When applying a hydrocollator (moist heat) pack, how many layers of dry toweling are recommended between the pack and the patient's skin?
Answer: 6-8 layers
Six to eight layers of dry toweling (or a commercial hydrocollator cover equivalent) are required to insulate the patient's skin from the high temperature of the pack and prevent thermal burns.
Ultrasound at 1 MHz frequency is used instead of 3 MHz when the treatment goal is to reach tissue at a depth of approximately:
Answer: 3-5 cm
1 MHz ultrasound penetrates to 3-5 cm depth and is selected for treating deeper structures, while 3 MHz penetrates only 1-2 cm and is used for superficial tissues.
A knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) is MOST commonly indicated for patients with:
Answer: Quadriceps weakness insufficient for independent knee control during stance
KAFOs control both the knee and ankle and are indicated when patients lack adequate quadriceps strength to stabilize the knee during the stance phase of gait.