Patient Management Flashcards

A patient with Parkinson's disease demonstrates freezing of gait when approaching a doorway. Which cueing strategy is MOST evidence-based for immediate gait initiation?

Answer: Visual transverse line cues on the floor

Transverse visual floor cues (lines or stripes) are the most evidence-supported strategy specifically for triggering gait initiation and overcoming freezing episodes at thresholds.

During the Berg Balance Scale, a patient can pick up a shoe from the floor but requires two attempts and loses balance momentarily. What score should be recorded for that item?

Answer: 2

A score of 2 is assigned when the patient is able to pick up the item but requires supervision due to loss of balance or instability during the task.

A neurological patient has a goal to ascend stairs independently. Which clinical finding would MOST indicate readiness to progress to unassisted stair training?

Answer: Single-limb stance on the affected leg for at least 5 seconds

Single-limb stance of at least 5 seconds indicates the weight-bearing control and balance necessary for safe stair negotiation with alternating step pattern.

A patient post-stroke has global aphasia. When setting goals with this patient, which approach BEST supports patient-centered care?

Answer: Using low-tech AAC boards with symbols and yes/no responses

Low-tech AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) tools such as picture or symbol boards allow patients with global aphasia to express preferences and participate meaningfully in goal-setting.

Which outcome measure is MOST appropriate for tracking community ambulation capacity in a patient recovering from traumatic brain injury?

Answer: 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

The 6MWT measures walking endurance over a functional distance, directly reflecting the cardiovascular and neuromuscular demands of community-level ambulation.

A PT is treating a patient with multiple sclerosis who reports significantly worse fatigue after the last two therapy sessions. Which modification is MOST appropriate?

Answer: Reduce session intensity and incorporate planned rest periods

For MS-related fatigue exacerbated by therapy, reducing intensity and incorporating structured rest breaks within sessions is the first-line clinical modification to manage Uhthoff's phenomenon and energy conservation.

A patient with C5 ASIA A spinal cord injury wants to independently drive a power wheelchair. Which component is the MOST critical for this goal?

Answer: Adequate head control and neck motor function

A patient with C5 ASIA A injury lacks voluntary hand and wrist control, so head-array or chin-drive controls relying on head control are the primary access method for independent power wheelchair operation.