Thermal Agents
A patient presents immediately post-exercise with localized knee swelling. This modality would be selected to limit secondary tissue damage
What is cryotherapy?
You select ultrasound to produce thermal effects in deep tissues. This is known as this primary mechanism of energy transfer.
What is conversion?
A PTA is administering iontophoresis. This is the type of electrical current waveform required.
What is direct current?
A 200 lb patient is receiving lumbar traction. What is the MINIMUM force required to achieve vertebral separation?
What is 100lbs?
A patient with subacute soft tissue injury requires increased collagen extensibility prior to stretching. This intervention is most appropriate. (cold vs heat)
What is heat?
During ultrasound, a patient reports a prickling sensation. This is the more appropriate immediate corrective action.
What is applying more gel?
Conventional TENS reduces pain through stimulation of this nerve fibers.
What are A-beta fibers?
A patient reports symptom relief when positioned in side-lying with spinal side-bending. This is known as what technique?
Patient presents with significant edema in the lower extremity. This modality should be avoided due to risk of exacerbating swelling.
What is heat?
Patient requires ultrasound over a boney prominence. This technique is for use of ultrasound is the more effective treatment.
What is ultrasound in the water?
A patient reports localized pain in a small treatment area that requires 2 pad placement. This electrical stimulation is most appropriate.
What is premodulated current?
A PTA performs this technique prior to mechanical traction to demonstrate an improvement in symptoms.
What is manual traction?
During treatment planning, you want to decrease local metabolic activity and limit inflammatory processes. This thermal approach is indicated.
What is cold?
A patient has a dermatological condition over the treatment area. This condition is contraindicated with ultrasound.
What is psoriasis?
TENS commonly used despite its short-lived physiological effects due to it's ability to produce this effect to patient.
What is reduction in pain?
This is the biomechanical goal of spinal traction.
What is separation of facet joint surfaces?
Heat is transferred from a hot pack to the patient’s skin via direct contact. This is known as this mechanism.
What is conduction?
A clinician wants to treat superficial tissue structures. This is the most appropriate frequency.
What is 3 MHz?
A PTA wants to stimulate endogenous opioid release. This frequency range should be selected.
What is 1-10 Hz?
A patient with TMJ dysfunction needs cervical traction. This type of traction is NOT recommended.
What is over the door traction?
A patient receives ice massage. This is the appropriate symptom to indicate the endpoint of treatment.
What is numbness?
A PTA is performing ultrasound at 3 MHz, 20% duty cycle and 1.5 w/cm2. The PTA wants to maximize tissue heating using ultrasound. This parameter change is MOST critical.
What is duty cycle?
When treating this diagnosis is polarity selection most critical to aid in tissue healing.
What is wound healing?
A patient presents with lumbar facet impingement. This is the goal of traction.
What is increase in joint spacing (nerve reduction)?
A patient reports sensory changes during cold application. This is the expected progression?
What is cold, aching, burning, and numbness?
A patient presents with posterior hip joint contracture. This ultrasound frequency is most appropriate to aid in stretching.
What is 1 MHz?
A patient presents with acute, diffuse knee pain. This electrotherapy setting is most appropriate.
Sensory TENS, Motor TENS, High Volt
Traction is most commonly used for this type of pathology.
What is joint dysfunction or impingement?
Cryotherapy is applied to control inflammation. This cellular process is being reduced.
What is metabolic rate?
A patient presents with an increase in swelling, pitting edema, and visible collateral veins prior to ultrasound. This is the most appropriate action.
What is stop and inform the PT?
A PTA utilizes this type of electrical stimulation to improve muscle function while performing walking activities.
What is functional electrical stimulation?
This is the combination of movements required to compress the vertebral artery.
What is cervical extension, lateral sidebending, and rotation?