PAM Patient Assessment & Clinical Evaluation 3

Question 1

A clinician is assessing a patient's response to a hot pack applied to the lumbar spine. Which finding indicates a normal physiological response to superficial heat?

Accepted Answer

Mild erythema and patient-reported warmth

Answer

Mild erythema (redness) with a sensation of warmth is a normal vasodilatory response to superficial heat application.

Question 2

When screening a patient for contraindications to ultrasound therapy, which implant is an absolute contraindication over the treatment area?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac pacemaker

Answer

A cardiac pacemaker is an absolute contraindication to therapeutic ultrasound when treating over or near the thorax, as mechanical vibration can interfere with pacemaker function.

Question 3

During goniometric assessment before PAM treatment, the clinician finds a patient's shoulder has 90° of active abduction but 150° of passive abduction. This difference indicates:

Accepted Answer

Contractile tissue dysfunction

Answer

A significant discrepancy between active and passive ROM where passive exceeds active suggests a contractile tissue (muscle or tendon) problem rather than a joint capsule or bony restriction.

Question 4

Which pain characteristic, identified during the subjective exam, suggests central sensitization rather than peripheral nociception?

Accepted Answer

Pain that is diffuse, widespread, and disproportionate to tissue injury

Answer

Central sensitization presents with diffuse, widespread pain disproportionate to tissue damage, often including allodynia and hyperalgesia beyond the injury site.

Question 5

A patient's monofilament sensory testing reveals inability to detect the 4.56 (2g) Semmes-Weinstein monofilament. What does this finding indicate?

Accepted Answer

Diminished light touch sensation

Answer

Inability to detect the 2g (4.56) monofilament indicates diminished light touch, while inability to detect the 10g (5.07) monofilament signals loss of protective sensation.

(PAM) Physical Agent Modalities Certification Practice Test

(PAM) Physical Agent Modalities Certification Practice Test

PAM Patient Assessment & Clinical Evaluation 3