CHT Clinical Reasoning 5

Question 1

A CHT is using motivational interviewing with a patient who is non-compliant with home exercises. The therapist's BEST response to the patient's ambivalence is:

Accepted Answer

Explore the patient's own reasons for wanting to improve

Answer

Motivational interviewing focuses on eliciting the patient's intrinsic motivation by exploring their own values and goals for recovery.

Question 2

A patient with a mallet finger deformity treated conservatively for 6 weeks shows persistent extensor lag of 20 degrees. The MOST appropriate clinical reasoning is:

Accepted Answer

Continue uninterrupted splinting for an additional 6 weeks and reassess

Answer

A residual extensor lag at 6 weeks may indicate inadequate healing; continuing splinting with reassessment is standard conservative management.

Question 3

A CHT identifies fear-avoidance behavior in a patient with chronic hand pain. Which assessment tool BEST quantifies this?

Accepted Answer

Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK)

Answer

The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia specifically measures pain-related fear of movement and is the standard tool for assessing fear-avoidance.

Question 4

When reasoning about a patient's risk for developing chronic pain after hand surgery, which psychosocial factor has the STRONGEST evidence as a predictor?

Accepted Answer

Pre-surgical catastrophizing

Answer

Pain catastrophizing is one of the strongest psychological predictors of chronic post-surgical pain and poor functional outcomes.

Question 5

A CHT is treating a patient with partial thickness burns to the dorsal hand. Which clinical reasoning principle should guide early splinting?

Accepted Answer

Splint in the intrinsic plus position to prevent contracture

Answer

The intrinsic plus position (wrist extension, MP flexion, IP extension) is the anti-deformity position that prevents dorsal hand burn contractures.

(CHT) Certified Hand Therapist Practice Test

(CHT) Certified Hand Therapist Practice Test

CHT Clinical Reasoning 5