What is the primary physiological effect of thermotherapy?
Answer: Increased blood flow and tissue extensibility.
Rationale: Heat increases circulation and reduces muscle spasms.
What frequency should be used for deep tissues?
Answer: 1 MHz.
Rationale: 1 MHz penetrates deeper into tissues.
What type of E-Stim is used for pain control via the Gate Control Theory?
Answer: TENS.
Rationale: TENS blocks pain signals at the spinal level.
What percentage of body weight is used for lumbar traction?
Answer: 25-50%.
Rationale: Provides effective decompression.
What temperature range is appropriate for therapeutic pools?
Answer: 92-96°F.
Rationale: Provides comfort while enhancing mobility.
Why is using thermotherapy on a patient with active bleeding a contraindication?
Answer: Vasodilation could worsen bleeding.
Rationale: Heat increases blood flow, potentially worsening hemorrhage.
What is the purpose of using pulsed ultrasound?
Answer: Non-thermal effects for soft tissue healing.
Rationale: Pulsed ultrasound promotes cellular repair.
What waveform does NMES use for muscle strengthening?
(DOUBLE QUESTION JEOPARDY)
Double Jeopardy: Which patient would benefit the least from the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)?
A patient with foot drop after total knee arthroplasty
A patient with edema after total knee arthroplasty
A patient with pain after total knee arthroplasty
A patient with muscle guarding after total knee arthroplasty
Answer: Biphasic.
Rationale: Provides effective stimulation of muscle fibers.
Name a condition that is a contraindication for traction?
Answer: Spinal instability.
Rationale: Traction can exacerbate instability.
What is the primary effect of buoyancy in water therapy?
Answer: Reduces weight-bearing.
Rationale: Allows easier movement for patients with joint pain.
What is the minimum number of layers of toweling required for hot packs?
Answer: 6-8 layers.
Rationale: Ensures safety and prevents burns.
What is the typical duty cycle for continuous ultrasound?
Answer: 100%.
Rationale: Provides thermal effects.
What frequency range is used for acute pain management with IFC?
Answer: 80-120 Hz.
Rationale: High frequency is ideal for pain reduction.
Which of the following parameter settings for interferential current (IFC) would help to reduce pain?
70 pps
What is the maximum inflation pressure for intermittent compression?
Answer: Should not exceed diastolic BP.
Rationale: Prevents circulatory complications.
What is the contraindication for hydrotherapy in patients with unstable cardiac conditions?
Answer: Increased cardiovascular demand.
Rationale: Warm water can strain the heart.
What treatment duration is most appropriate for paraffin use?
Answer: 20 minutes.
Rationale: This allows adequate time for therapeutic effects.
Which parameter prevents burns during ultrasound?
Answer: Keeping the sound head moving.
Rationale: Avoids concentrated heating of tissues.
Outside of a pacemaker and DVT; What is a contraindication for using TENS?
Answer: Over the carotid sinus.
Rationale: Can cause cardiovascular complications.
What is the recommended duration for compression therapy?
Answer: 30-60 minutes.
Rationale: Provides adequate therapeutic effects.
A patient reports pain (7/10) and limited range of motion of the right shoulder as a result of chronic overuse. The therapist has identified hydrochloride (+) iontophoresis as part of the physical therapy intervention. What is the correct treatment setup?
Continuous monophasic current with the medication under the anode
Which modality uses adjustable particle flow for therapy?
Answer: Fluidotherapy.
Rationale: Fluidotherapy enhances circulation and sensory stimulation.
What is the effective treatment area for ultrasound?
Answer: 2-3 times the size of the sound head.
Rationale: Ensures consistent coverage and therapeutic effects.
High voltage pulsed current is often used in physical therapy to:
Reduce inflammation and swelling
DOES NOT: Increase joint mobility and range of motion or Strengthen muscles and improve muscle tone
What is the hold/relax time for traction for disc herniation?
Answer: 60/20 seconds.
Rationale: Balances decompression and relaxation.
What parameter of electrical stimulation defines the period current flows in one direction?
Answer: Phase.
Rationale: Helps identify waveform characteristics.