NCS Clinical Decision-Making 2

Question 1

A patient post-stroke presents with left-sided neglect and poor safety awareness during transfers. Which immediate intervention priority best reflects evidence-based clinical decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Address neglect with visual scanning training before progressing mobility

Answer

Neglect and poor safety awareness must be addressed before advancing mobility tasks to prevent falls and injury.

Question 2

When interpreting an MRI report indicating a T2 hyperintense lesion in the posterior limb of the internal capsule, a neurologic PT should anticipate which primary functional deficit?

Accepted Answer

Contralateral spastic hemiplegia

Answer

The posterior limb of the internal capsule carries the corticospinal tract, and a lesion there produces contralateral spastic hemiplegia.

Question 3

A patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome has an FVC of 18 mL/kg. What is the most appropriate clinical decision?

Accepted Answer

Notify the physician immediately due to impending respiratory failure risk

Answer

An FVC below 20 mL/kg in GBS indicates critical risk for respiratory failure and requires urgent physician notification.

Question 4

A therapist uses the Fugl-Meyer Assessment to guide intervention for a patient 3 weeks post-ischemic stroke. This tool primarily informs decisions about which domain?

Accepted Answer

Degree of motor recovery and synergy pattern stage

Answer

The Fugl-Meyer Assessment measures motor recovery across the Brunnstrom stages of synergy, guiding movement-based intervention decisions.

Question 5

A patient with MS demonstrates heat sensitivity (Uhthoff's phenomenon) and has a therapy session scheduled during warm afternoon hours. The best clinical decision is to:

Accepted Answer

Schedule the session in cooler morning hours and use cooling strategies

Answer

Scheduling therapy in cooler conditions and using cooling vests or cold towels minimizes Uhthoff's phenomenon in MS patients.

(NCS) Neurologic Clinical Specialist Practice Test

(NCS) Neurologic Clinical Specialist Practice Test

NCS Clinical Decision-Making 2