NPTE Clinical Files | Physical Therapy

Harriet presents with status post-TKA and is undergoing stair training with the physical therapist.   The physical therapist is challenged with determining the appropriate instructions for descending stairs with a cane. How well do you know safe stair negotiation techniques? Let's test your knowledge in this excellent episode about stair training.  Are you looking for an awesome cheatsheet to help...

Ricky presents with a past medical history of atrial fibrillation, orthostatic hypotension, and chronic renal failure. The physical therapist is challenged with determining which aspect of the exercise prescription is the least appropriate for this patient while undergoing hemodialysis.  How well do you know your exercise prescription parameters for a patient on hemodialysis? Let's test your k...

Kerri presents with significant pelvic girdle pain with ambulation. The patient is found to have a notable innominate rotation during the examination.   The physical therapist is challenged with determining the BEST intervention to address the pelvic mal-alignment.  How well do you know innominate rotations? Can you treat one effectively? Let's test your ability in this excellent episode about...

Jimmy is a three-year-old child with L2 myelomeningocele. The patient requires the use of orthotics for home ambulation.  The physical therapist is challenged with determining which orthotic would be the best to assist with household ambulation.  How well do you know your orthotics? Can you tell me what spina bifida is and what impairments are associated with an L2 myelomeningocele? Let's test...

Samuel is a basketball star who injured his right knee after he pivoted on his right foot. The patient reports pain immediately afterward and has been complaining of additional symptoms since the incident.    The physical therapist is challenged with differentially diagnosing the patient's right knee pain. How well do you know your knee injuries? Can you differentially diagnose this common typ...

Heather has a past medical history of hypothyroidism and is being treated for deconditioning. The patient reports that she is not taking her medications and would like to stop exercising.  The physical therapist is challenged with determining the correct and the best course of action to remedy this situation. How well can you handle difficulty patient compliance situations? Let's test your ability...

Taylor is attending her first follow-up appointment for right calcific tendinitis. A PTA is treating the patient and needs to make an appropriate decision about following an unspecified directive in the plan of care.   The physical therapist is challenged with determining what is the responsibility and appropriate decision making of a PTA under general supervision.  How well do you know what is in...

Brenda is a physical therapist looking to utilize the correct outcome measure to assess a patient's improvements and current ability related to ADL's. The physical therapist is challenged with determining the correct and MOST appropriate outcome measure to utilize with a patient who has a CVA.  How well do you know your outcome measures? Let's test your understanding in this excellent...

Kelli presents with spastic cerebral palsy and plantarflexor spasticity.  The physical therapist is challenged with determining the correct AFO to utilize with the current patient.   How well do you know your AFO's and their uses? Let's test your understanding in this excellent episode about ankle-foot orthotics Are you looking for an awesome cheatsheet to help you with AFO's and their...

Camron presents with pulmonary hypertension and suspected Cor Pulmonale The physical therapist is challenged with determining which acute care lines will MOST be present and used to monitor the patient's condition  How well do you know your acute care lines? Let's test your understanding in this excellent episode about acute care lines Are you looking for an awesome cheatsheet to help you...

Collin presents difficulty grasping objects and impaired sensation in his hands.  The physical therapist is challenged with determining which sensations will be impaired if the patient is unable to detect light (fine) touch.  Click to listen now: iTunes:http://bit.ly/NPTECLINICALFILES Libsyn: http://bit.ly/LIBSYNFILES Did you get this question wrong?! If you were stuck between two answers and sele...

Maurice presents with non-specific lower back pain that has been responding favorably to mechanical traction. The physical therapist is challenged with determining the appropriate response to lumbar traction and determining the proper traction parameters to support a safe resolution of the patient's symptoms. How well do you know mechanical traction and the associated parameters? Let's tes...

Monte presents with a recent MCA stroke and upper extremity spasticity. The patient demonstrates movement out of synergy, however, is having difficulty completing functional patterns. The physical therapist is challenged with determining which intervention (PNF) is the MOST effective to treat the patient's condition.  How well do you know PNF patterns and interventions to support out of synerg...

Haddie is a child who would like to try out for gymnastics. During her physical screening, she is found to have some spinal/trunk abnormalities. The physical therapist is challenged with determining what is the MOST likely cause of the patient's observed spinal abnormality.  How well can you pick out specific postural/spinal related dysfunctions in the pediatric population? Let's test your underst...

Nate is a physical therapist evaluating a patient in the acute care setting. The patient is found to have some cardiac arrhythmias on their EKG prior to exercise.   The physical therapist is challenged with determining the importance of the several accompanying co-morbidities while interpreting the available EKG strip. How well can you read an EKG strip? Let's test your ability to read, interpret,...

Saphie is being seen post-MVA for neck and mid-thoracic pain. The patient has a history of primary hyperparathyroidism.  The physical therapist is challenged with determining what precautions are the MOST important when treating this patient.  How well do you understand the proper treatment of patients with musculoskeletal conditions and co-morbidities? Let's test your understanding in this excell...

Bobby is a carpenter who presents with paresthesias into his right hand and forearm.  The physical therapist is challenged with determining the condition that is present and the interventions required to treat the condition.  How well do you understand neuromusculoskeletal disorders? Let's test your understanding in this excellent episode about postural dysfunction.  Click to listen now: iTunes:ht...

Jax is being seen for a C7 ASIA B SCI. The patient has been participating in physical therapy for 2 months but continues to have functional limitations. The physical therapist is challenged with determining the highest level of function the patient MOST expected to achieve. How well do you understand SCI functional outcomes? Let's test your understanding in this excellent episode about SCI functio...

Nadine assesses her patient's knee flexion strength in both the sitting and standing positions. The therapist finds that the patient has diminished end range knee flexion strength in standing. The physical therapist is challenged with determining which is most likely reason for the diminished knee flexion strength. How well do you understand the concept of active and passive insufficiency? Let's t...

Tim presents to physical therapy for functional decline and poor blood sugar control. The patient has multiple pressure ulcers but is unable to sense their presence. The physical therapist is challenged with determining which type of monofilament would confirm the patient's sensory impairment. How well do you know your monofilaments? Let's test your knowledge in this excellent episode about dimini...

Carly is being evaluated by physical therapy post transverse humeral mid-shaft fracture. The patient does present with possible neurological compromise. The physical therapist is challenged with determining the presence of neurological compromise and associated musculoskeletal findings.  How well do you know your origins, insertions, actions, and innervations? Let's test your knowledge in this exc...

Davis presents with CHF and is undergoing a 6-minute walk test. The patient's HR, SPO2, and blood pressure are all being monitored to ensure patient safety. The physical therapist is challenged with understanding the indications of abnormal changes in vitals with exercise. How well do you know your exercise physiology? Let's test your knowledge in this excellent episode about the cardiovascular re...

Rodney underwent a right transtibial amputation and is being fitted for a patellar-tendon bearing socket.  The physical therapist is challenged with understanding the design of the patellar-tendon bearing socket, pressure-tolerant areas, and pressure-sensitive areas. How well do you know your socket designs? Let's test your knowledge in this excellent episode about the patellar-tendon bearing sock...

Victoria is a 3-year-old child who presents to physical therapy for severe toe walking.  The physical therapist is challenged with determining the most effective approach to treating the patient's toe walking.  Do you the most effective treatments for toe walking in patient's with cerebral palsy? We will uncover the answer in this excellent episode about treating a patient with toe walking.  Click...

Brandon is being evaluated in physical therapy for his posterior knee pain. The patient gait assessment reveals a rapid knee hyperextension during the early stages of gait. The physical therapist is challenged with determining the most likely reason for the observed gait deviation while predicting which other motions would be present. Do you know the primary cause of rapid knee hyperextension duri...