Patient Assessment and Evaluation Flashcards
7 cards from real CCAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Assessment and Evaluation flashcards as text
Which method is used to assess spinal cord injury severity and guide prognosis in canine patients?
Answer: Frankel Grading Scale adapted for veterinary use
Veterinary neurological grading scales (adapted from Frankel) classify spinal cord dysfunction from Grade I (pain only) to Grade V (paralysis with no deep pain), guiding prognosis.
When assessing deep pain sensation in a paraplegic dog, which stimulus is used and where is it applied?
Answer: Firm digital pressure or hemostats applied to the digits with bone compression
Deep pain is assessed by applying firm pressure (e.g., with hemostats) to the digits to compress bone; a conscious response (vocalization, head turn) indicates intact deep pain pathways.
In hydrotherapy assessment, which patient characteristic is a relative contraindication to underwater treadmill (UWTM) therapy?
Answer: Open wounds or recent surgical incision not yet healed
Open wounds or unhealed surgical incisions are a relative contraindication to UWTM because water immersion risks infection and tissue maceration.
A therapist evaluates a dog's sit-to-stand transition and notes that the dog always rises with the right hindlimb first. This behavioral asymmetry most likely reflects:
Answer: Right hindlimb weakness or pain causing the dog to offload the left
Consistently rising on one hindlimb first is a compensatory strategy, typically indicating pain or weakness in the contralateral limb that the dog protects.
Which measurement instrument is used to objectively quantify joint range of motion in clinical rehabilitation settings?
Answer: Goniometer
A goniometer measures the angle of a joint in degrees and is the standard instrument for objective ROM documentation in rehabilitation.
A 7-year-old golden retriever presents after bilateral elbow arthroscopy. During forelimb assessment, you note a 'head bob' when the right forelimb bears weight. This indicates:
Answer: Right forelimb lameness; head rises when the lame limb contacts the ground
In forelimb lameness, the head rises (bobs up) when the lame limb contacts the ground and drops when the sound limb contacts the ground.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of a functional outcome measure in canine rehabilitation?
Answer: To quantify the patient's ability to perform real-world tasks and activities
Functional outcome measures (e.g., CBPI, Liverpool LOAD, Canine Brief Pain Inventory) capture patient-centered function and quality of life in real-world activities.