Therapeutic Modalities Application Flashcards
7 cards from real NPTE-PT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Therapeutic Modalities Application flashcards as text
A PT uses biofeedback with surface electromyography (sEMG) for a patient with patellofemoral pain syndrome. The primary therapeutic goal of this application is to:
Answer: Improve voluntary motor recruitment and muscle re-education of the VMO
sEMG biofeedback provides real-time visual or auditory feedback to help patients consciously improve VMO activation timing and magnitude.
During ultrasound treatment, a patient reports pain under the transducer during stationary application. The MOST likely cause and correct response is:
Answer: Standing waves causing periosteal damage; move the transducer continuously
Stationary transducer application creates standing waves that can cause periosteal burns; the transducer must be kept in continuous motion.
A PT applies cryotherapy using an ice massage technique to a patient's Achilles tendon. The correct sequence of sensations the patient should experience is:
Answer: Cold → aching → burning → analgesia
The CBAN sequence (Cold, Burning, Aching, Numbness/Analgesia) describes the progression of sensory changes during ice massage.
A PT is treating a patient with a fresh (48-hour-old) quadriceps contusion. Which physical agent is MOST appropriate at this stage?
Answer: Cryotherapy with compression
Cryotherapy with compression is the standard acute-phase treatment to reduce inflammation, hemorrhage, and secondary hypoxic injury.
Which parameter determines the depth of penetration for therapeutic ultrasound when selecting between 1 MHz and 3 MHz?
Answer: Frequency
Frequency determines depth: 1 MHz penetrates 4–5 cm (deep) while 3 MHz penetrates 1–2 cm (superficial).
A PT applies electrical stimulation using the Russian protocol (medium-frequency burst NMES) for quadriceps strengthening post-ACL reconstruction. The on:off duty cycle most commonly used is:
Answer: 1:5 (short on, long rest)
A 1:5 on:off ratio is standard for NMES strengthening protocols to allow muscle recovery and minimize fatigue during stimulated contractions.
A PT is treating a patient with post-mastectomy lymphedema using complete decongestive therapy (CDT). Which adjunct physical agent modality is CONTRAINDICATED in this condition?
Answer: Therapeutic heat applied to the affected extremity
Heat increases local blood flow and protein-rich fluid filtration into the interstitium, worsening lymphedema in an already compromised lymphatic system.