WHAT DO YOU DO NEXT?
A patient’s SpO₂ drops to 88% during ambulation but quickly returns to 93% after rest.
What is stop, rest, reassess, and continue with modified intensity if stable?
Platelets = 45,000. Patient has no bleeding signs
What is light exercise with caution?
Troponin is elevated but decreasing over 24 hours with no symptoms.
What is proceed cautiously if cleared?
Patient with Hgb 7.2 needs the safest mobility task.
What is bed mobility or sitting EOB?
A patient just finished dialysis, but medically stable.
What is defer or modify therapy due to susceptible fatigue?
A patient’s HR increases from 72 → 105 bpm during exercise with no symptoms.
What is continue but monitor (within acceptable range and asymptomatic)?
PTT = 85 seconds. Patient asymptomatic.
What is hold therapy due to bleeding risk (>70 sec)?
Troponin rose from 0.05 → 0.12 over 12 hours.
What is hold therapy due to active cardiac injury?
Patient with platelets = 18,000 requests ambulation.
What is decline and hold PT due to bleeding risk?
A patient has fever, elevated WBC, and malaise.
What is suspected infection → possible hold or modify PT?
During therapy, a patient becomes mildly dizzy with a 12 mmHg drop in SBP.
What is stop activity and reassess due to symptomatic BP drop (>10 mmHg)?
INR = 6.4 in a patient ready for ambulation.
What is hold PT and consider bed rest due to high bleeding risk?
Patient had a “cardiology STAT” order placed this morning; no physician note yet.
What is do not see patient until cleared?
Patient with glucose 65 mg/dL reports shakiness.
What is stop therapy and notify nursing (hypoglycemia)?
A patient suddenly reports calf pain, redness, and swelling.
What is suspected DVT → stop and refer immediately?
A patient’s vitals are borderline abnormal, but they appear stable and asymptomatic.
What is proceed with caution using a symptom-based approach?
Hgb = 8.5 with mild fatigue but stable vitals.
What is proceed with modified, low-intensity therapy?
A patient has K+ = 3.6 and is fatigued with muscle weakness.
What is use caution and monitor closely due to borderline hypokalemia?
Patient with glucose 220 mg/dL and fatigue.
What is monitor closely and modify activity?
Patient reports “sharp chest pain traveling to back” with SOB.
What is suspected pulmonary embolism → call rapid response?
A patient becomes confused and combative during treatment.
What is stop PT and notify the nurse immediately?
Potassium = 6.0 mEq/L. Patient asymptomatic.
What is hold therapy due to risk of cardiac arrhythmia?
A patient with improving labs but worsening symptoms.
What is prioritize symptoms over lab values (symptom-based approach)?
Patient with elevated INR requires THIS key safety focus.
What is fall prevention due to bleeding risk?
A patient is restless, diaphoretic, and tachycardic during PT.
What is stop therapy and assess for medical instability?