Vital Signs & Hemodynamic Reasoning
A patient moves from supine to standing and develops dizziness with a BP drop to 100/65 and HR rising to 105 bpm.
What is orthostatic hypotension?
A patient with known stroke shows new confusion and worsening facial droop during the session, but vitals are stable. The PT’s primary concern is...
What is possible stroke progression/evolution?
A post-CABG patient requires bed mobility training. The correct technique avoids pulling on bedrails and instead uses this method.
What is log-rolling?
During ambulation in a patient with rib fractures, SpO₂ drops to 88% on 5 L NC and the patient has sharp chest pain when breathing. The FIRST PT response should be:
What is stop activity, return to sitting, and initiate splinted breathing?
For improving knee ROM on POD 2, the BEST therapeutic exercise is:
What is A/AAROM knee flexion and extension?
A patient’s BP drops slightly when moving to sit at the EOB but symptoms resolve within 1–2 minutes. The safest FIRST action is this.
What is keeping the patient seated at the EOB and reassessing vitals?
A post-R ACA stroke patient with severe left lean cannot find midline. The MOST appropriate initial intervention is:
What is seated midline re-orientation with left-arm weight-bearing?
A patient reports chest pressure and dizziness during gait. HR shows rapid Afib at 166 bpm. The immediate PT action is:
What is stopping activity, returning to sitting, and alerting the medical team?
An ABG shows PaO₂ of 60 mmHg while the patient is receiving 4 L oxygen via nasal cannula. This ABG indicates:
What is hypoxemia?
New calf warmth, swelling, and tenderness in a post-TKA patient most likely indicate:
What is a DVT?
A patient maintaining SpO₂ > 95% on 2 L O₂ is trialed off oxygen during activity. Oxygen can remain off only if this is maintained.
What is SpO₂ ≥ 94% throughout activity?
A patient repeatedly forgets to use the left arm during transfers due to neglect. The MOST effective intervention strategy is:
What is tactile cueing with assisted/guided left-arm weight-bearing?
A patient post-CABG shows decreased activity tolerance. Labs include Hgb 9.6, K⁺ 4.0, Na⁺ 139, WBC 8.3. The lab most likely affecting endurance is:
What is the hemoglobin of 9.6?
A patient with rib fractures has shallow breathing and difficulty clearing secretions. The most helpful breathing intervention is:
What is splinted coughing/diaphragmatic breathing?
The best resting position for a patient post-TKA to facilitate recovery of functional ROM
What is knee extension?
A patient with hypokalemia (K⁺ = 3.3) begins showing ventricular ectopy during mobility. This specific ECG finding is the largest concern.
What are frequent PVCs?
A patient with previous CVA becomes weaker during gait but strength improves after a brief seated rest. This pattern reflects:
What is fatigue-related loss of strength/inhibition?
During sit-to-stand, the PT wants to minimize sternal stress. The best cue is:
What is “keep elbows in, lean forward, and use your legs”/"move in the tube"?
Sternal or rib pain limits deep breathing. This places the patient at the highest risk for:
What is atelectasis and pneumonia?
Sudden dyspnea, chest pain, tachycardia, and anxiety during mobility are most consistent with this diagnosis.
What is a pulmonary embolism?
In a POD 1 abdominal surgery patient, new tachycardia, falling BP, abdominal distension, pallor, and increasing pain occur during mobility.
What is internal bleeding?
A patient standing from the EOB reports sudden unilateral weakness without dizziness or BP change. This clinical picture indicates:
What is neurologic deterioration?
A CABG patient reports increased pain, swelling, and clicking at the sternum during movement. These findings most likely indicate:
What is sternal dehiscence?
patient develops sudden pleuritic pain, tachycardia, SpO₂ 85% on 5 L, and absent breath sounds on one side. These signs point to:
What is a recurrent pneumothorax?
When comparing early-mobility symptoms, the MAIN distinguishing sign between orthostasis and stroke is:
What is sudden unilateral weakness?