CCAT Patient Assessment & Treatment Planning 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A dog presents with a 'bunny-hopping' gait in the pelvic limbs. This gait abnormality is most commonly associated with which condition?
- Unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture
- Bilateral hip dysplasia (Correct answer)
- Lumbosacral stenosis
- Thoracolumbar disc herniation at T12-T13
Correct answer: Bilateral hip dysplasia
Bunny-hopping, where both pelvic limbs move simultaneously, is a classic compensatory gait pattern seen in dogs with bilateral hip dysplasia trying to minimize hip pain.
Question 2: Which factor is MOST important to document when establishing a rehabilitation baseline in a post-surgical orthopedic patient?
- Breed-standard conformation
- Current analgesic medications and dosages (Correct answer)
- Owner's preferred appointment schedule
- Color and texture of the surgical scar
Correct answer: Current analgesic medications and dosages
Documenting current analgesic medications and dosages is critical as pain management directly impacts the patient's ability to participate in rehabilitation and affects objective assessment findings.
Question 3: When using the Canine Orthopaedic Index (COI) for treatment planning, what domains does it evaluate?
- Radiographic bone density, joint effusion, and pain score
- Stiffness, function, and wellbeing (Correct answer)
- Gait symmetry, muscle mass, and joint range of motion
- Owner compliance, financial capacity, and home environment
Correct answer: Stiffness, function, and wellbeing
The Canine Orthopaedic Index evaluates three domains: stiffness, function, and wellbeing, providing a comprehensive owner-reported quality of life assessment for dogs with orthopedic conditions.
Question 4: A cat recovering from a femoral fracture repair shows pain on palpation of the fracture site at 6 weeks post-op. What should the rehabilitation therapist do first?
- Increase exercise intensity to stimulate bone healing
- Apply ultrasound therapy directly over the fracture site
- Consult with the attending veterinarian before proceeding with treatment (Correct answer)
- Document the finding and continue the planned protocol
Correct answer: Consult with the attending veterinarian before proceeding with treatment
Unexpected pain at a fracture site at 6 weeks post-op may indicate implant failure, delayed union, or infection, requiring veterinary evaluation before rehabilitation continues.
Question 5: Which grading scale is used to classify the severity of neurological deficits in small animal patients to guide rehabilitation prognosis?
- Frankel Scale
- Modified Ashworth Scale
- Olby Scale (or Frankel-modified grading) (Correct answer)
- Numeric Rating Scale
Correct answer: Olby Scale (or Frankel-modified grading)
The Olby scale (a Frankel-modified grading system) classifies neurological deficits from grade 0 (no voluntary motor function) to grade 5 (normal), guiding prognosis and rehabilitation intensity.
Question 6: During a therapeutic exercise session, a dog begins panting excessively, slows pace, and seeks shade. The MOST appropriate immediate action is to:
- Encourage the dog to continue to build endurance
- Stop exercise immediately, provide water and cooling, and monitor vital signs (Correct answer)
- Reduce exercise intensity by 50% and continue the session
- Administer a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Correct answer: Stop exercise immediately, provide water and cooling, and monitor vital signs
Signs of heat stress require immediate cessation of activity, active cooling, hydration, and monitoring, as heat stroke can progress rapidly and become life-threatening.
Question 7: In documenting a rehabilitation session using SOAP format, where would you record the patient's pain score and joint ROM measurements?
- Subjective
- Objective (Correct answer)
- Assessment
- Plan
Correct answer: Objective
Measurable, quantifiable data such as pain scores, goniometric ROM measurements, and limb circumference belong in the Objective section of a SOAP note.
CCAT Patient Assessment & Treatment Planning 3
A dog presents with a 'bunny-hopping' gait in the pelvic limbs.
This gait abnormality is most commonly associated with which condition?