Treatment Planning Flashcards

A patient with multiple sclerosis is scheduled for aquatic therapy. Which pool temperature range is most appropriate in the plan of care?

Answer: 80–88°F (27–31°C)

Cooler water reduces the risk of heat-induced symptom exacerbation in MS.

Standing in water at the level of the xiphoid process, approximately what percentage of body weight is borne by the lower limbs?

Answer: 25–35%

Xiphoid-level immersion unloads roughly 65–75% of body weight, leaving about 25–35%.

Which condition is an absolute contraindication to aquatic therapy?

Answer: Uncontrolled seizure disorder

Uncontrolled seizures pose a drowning risk and are a contraindication.

What is the main reason a therapist reduces target heart rate by about 10 beats per minute for immersed exercise?

Answer: Hydrostatic pressure increases venous return and stroke volume

Increased venous return raises stroke volume, lowering heart rate for a given workload.

Which SMART goal element is missing from: 'Patient will walk better in the pool'?

Answer: Measurable criteria

The goal lacks measurable, time-bound criteria.

Which principle explains why moving the arm faster through water increases resistance?

Answer: Turbulent drag that rises with velocity

Drag force increases with the square of speed in turbulent flow.

A patient with acute post-surgical edema of the ankle is best treated with which water property in mind?

Answer: Hydrostatic pressure

Hydrostatic pressure helps reduce peripheral edema by pushing fluid proximally.