Treatment Planning & Protocols Flashcards

When developing a treatment plan for a construction worker with a repetitive strain injury, which element should be prioritized FIRST?

Answer: Comprehensive functional assessment

A comprehensive functional assessment establishes baseline deficits and guides all subsequent treatment decisions.

A treatment protocol for a worksite injury should be reviewed and updated at minimum:

Answer: At each follow-up or when the worker's condition changes

Protocols must be dynamic and updated at each follow-up to reflect changes in functional status and goals.

Which of the following best describes a 'graduated return-to-work' plan?

Answer: A phased increase in work duties matching the worker's recovery

Graduated return-to-work progressively increases job demands in alignment with the worker's improving functional capacity.

In IHSA-aligned treatment protocols, the term 'functional goal' refers to:

Answer: An observable task the worker aims to perform at a defined level

Functional goals are specific, observable tasks that directly relate to the worker's job or daily activities.

A coach notices a worker's treatment plan does not address ergonomic modifications. The BEST next step is to:

Answer: Collaborate with occupational health to integrate ergonomic recommendations

Integrating ergonomic modifications through occupational health collaboration addresses root causes and prevents re-injury.

Which documentation component is essential to justify continuation of treatment in a work-related injury case?

Answer: Measurable progress toward functional goals

Measurable progress toward defined functional goals is the standard justification for ongoing treatment.

Under IHSA guidelines, a 'treatment plateau' indicates that:

Answer: The worker has achieved maximum medical improvement

A treatment plateau signals that maximum medical improvement has been reached and further treatment may not yield functional gains.