NCS Patient Management 3

Question 1

A neurologist's note documents 'hyperreflexia with sustained clonus at the ankle.' Which clinical implication is MOST relevant to the PT's plan of care?

Accepted Answer

Upper motor neuron lesion pattern requiring spasticity management strategies

Answer

Hyperreflexia and sustained clonus are hallmark signs of an upper motor neuron lesion, indicating spasticity that must be addressed through positioning, stretching, and spasticity management in the plan of care.

Question 2

When applying the ICF model to a patient with stroke, which factor represents a 'participation restriction'?

Accepted Answer

Unable to return to work as a teacher

Answer

Participation restrictions in the ICF model refer to problems in life situation involvement, such as the inability to fulfill the social role of employment.

Question 3

A 68-year-old patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome is in the plateau phase with 2/5 proximal lower extremity strength. Which therapy intensity is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Low-to-moderate intensity activity with fatigue monitoring

Answer

During the GBS plateau phase, low-to-moderate intensity exercise with careful fatigue monitoring prevents deconditioning without risking exercise-induced exacerbation or overwork weakness.

Question 4

A patient with cerebellar ataxia is being trained in a new wheelchair-to-bed transfer. Which learning strategy is MOST consistent with motor learning principles for this population?

Accepted Answer

Variable practice across multiple environments and conditions

Answer

Variable practice across environments promotes transfer and retention of motor skills in cerebellar ataxia patients who must generalize transfers to diverse real-world settings.

Question 5

A PT determines a patient with right MCA stroke is a falls risk. Which environmental modification has the HIGHEST evidence for inpatient fall prevention in this population?

Accepted Answer

Bed exit alarms combined with staff response protocols

Answer

Bed exit alarms combined with rapid staff response protocols have the strongest evidence for reducing inpatient falls in stroke units, especially for patients with impaired insight.

(NCS) Neurologic Clinical Specialist Practice Test

(NCS) Neurologic Clinical Specialist Practice Test

NCS Patient Management 3