Your FREE NPTE Flashcards 2026 – 300+ Cards

About 60–100 beats per minute.

Less than 120/80 mmHg (ACC/AHA normal category).

About 12–20 breaths per minute.

About 95–100% on room air.

Target HR = [(HRmax − HRrest) × intensity %] + HRrest.

Roughly 220 − age (a population estimate, not exact for any individual).

Rating of Perceived Exertion; 12–14 ('somewhat hard') corresponds to moderate-intensity exercise.

Resting oxygen consumption ≈ 3.5 mL O₂/kg/min.

Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type — the framework for prescribing exercise.

Heart rate × systolic BP; estimates myocardial oxygen demand (cardiac workload).

An early-diastolic 'ventricular gallop'; abnormal in adults and associated with heart failure / volume overload.

A late-diastolic 'atrial gallop' from atrial contraction into a stiff ventricle (e.g., hypertension, ischemia).

Discontinuous popping breath sounds from fluid/atelectasis — heard in pulmonary edema or pneumonia.

Continuous musical breath sounds from narrowed airways — asthma and COPD.

Stop exercise for new/worsening chest pain, ECG changes, or a drop in systolic BP; activate emergency response for suspected MI.

Acute MI (<2 days), unstable angina, uncontrolled arrhythmia, decompensated heart failure, acute PE, or acute aortic dissection.

A drop of ≥ 20 mmHg systolic or ≥ 10 mmHg diastolic within 3 minutes of standing.

Prolonged exhalation against pursed lips creates back-pressure to keep airways open; helps dyspnea in COPD.

Teaches abdominal/diaphragm-driven breathing to improve ventilation efficiency and reduce accessory-muscle use.

Positioning that uses gravity to drain secretions from specific lung segments toward the central airways.

Active forced exhalations through an open glottis to mobilize secretions with less airway collapse than coughing.

Obstructive (COPD) = reduced FEV₁/FVC < 0.70; restrictive = reduced FVC and TLC with a normal or high FEV₁/FVC.

I = no limitation; II = slight limitation; III = marked limitation with ordinary activity; IV = symptoms at rest.

Limit lifting (often < 5–10 lb), avoid pushing/pulling and overhead reaching; protect the healing sternotomy ~6–8 weeks.

Exertional calf/leg pain relieved by rest from peripheral arterial disease; a graded walking program is first-line therapy.

0.9–1.3 normal; < 0.9 indicates arterial disease; > 1.3 suggests noncompressible/calcified vessels (often diabetes).

Calf pain with passive ankle dorsiflexion suggesting DVT — unreliable; use Wells criteria and duplex ultrasound instead.

Clinical prediction rule estimating pretest probability of DVT or pulmonary embolism.

Sudden dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and hypoxia — a medical emergency; activate emergency response.

Change positions slowly, use an abdominal binder/compression, and progress to upright gradually (e.g., tilt table).

Inpatient phase: early low-level mobility and education after an acute cardiac event.

Early outpatient, monitored exercise program after discharge.

If a person can talk but not sing comfortably, they are likely at moderate intensity.

Drop in systolic BP, ST changes, serious arrhythmia, severe dyspnea, chest pain, or the patient asking to stop.

Most sensitive test for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) integrity — anterior tibial translation with the knee flexed 20–30°.

Assesses the ACL — anterior tibial glide with the knee flexed 90°; less sensitive than the Lachman.

Assesses the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) — posterior tibial glide with the knee flexed 90°.

Assesses for a meniscal tear — a palpable click or pain with tibial rotation as the knee is extended from flexion.

Assesses the medial collateral ligament (MCL); pain or gapping with a valgus force indicates MCL injury.

Assesses the lateral collateral ligament (LCL); pain or gapping with a varus force indicates LCL injury.

Assesses the supraspinatus — resisted shoulder abduction at 90° in the scapular plane with the thumb down.

Passive shoulder flexion/internal rotation that compresses the subacromial structures; pain suggests subacromial impingement.

Shoulder flexed 90° then internally rotated; pain indicates subacromial (supraspinatus) impingement.

Patient slowly lowers an abducted arm; inability to control the descent indicates a rotator cuff (supraspinatus) tear.

Resisted shoulder flexion with the elbow extended and forearm supinated; bicipital groove pain suggests biceps long-head tendinopathy.

Abduction + external rotation reproduces apprehension/guarding, indicating anterior glenohumeral instability.

Sustained wrist flexion (~60 s) reproduces median-nerve paresthesia, suggesting carpal tunnel syndrome.

Tapping over a nerve (e.g., median at the wrist) produces distal tingling, suggesting nerve compression or regeneration.

Thumb tucked in a fist with ulnar deviation reproduces radial wrist pain — de Quervain tenosynovitis.

Assesses hip flexor (iliopsoas) tightness — the resting thigh rises off the table when the opposite hip is fully flexed.

Assesses iliotibial band / tensor fasciae latae tightness — the abducted top leg fails to adduct toward the table.

Flexion, ABduction, External Rotation of the hip; reproduced pain suggests hip joint or sacroiliac pathology.

Normal — full ROM against gravity with maximal resistance.

Good — full ROM against gravity with moderate resistance.

Fair — full ROM against gravity but no added resistance.

Poor — full ROM only with gravity eliminated (gravity-minimized position).

Trace — a palpable or visible muscle contraction with no joint movement.

Zero — no detectable contraction.

About 0–180°.

About 0–180°.

About 0–145–150°.

About 0–120° (knee flexed).

About 0–135–140°.

About 0–20°.

About 0–45–50°.

Abrupt bone-on-bone stop — normal at elbow extension; abnormal elsewhere (e.g., osteophytes).

A firm, leathery stop from capsule/ligament — normal at hip rotation; abnormal if it appears early (capsular fibrosis).

Soft compression of tissue — normal at knee/elbow flexion.

Motion limited by intense pain before any tissue resistance — suggests acute inflammation, abscess, or fracture (a red flag).

External rotation most limited, then abduction, then internal rotation — classic of adhesive capsulitis.

Painful global loss of glenohumeral motion in a capsular pattern; progresses through freezing, frozen, and thawing phases.

OA = asymmetric, weight-bearing joints, DIP nodes; RA = symmetric, MCP/PIP, morning stiffness > 1 hour.

Heberden's = DIP joints; Bouchard's = PIP joints — both seen in osteoarthritis.

Pain over the lateral epicondyle with resisted wrist extension; involves the common extensor (ECRB) origin.

Pain over the medial epicondyle with resisted wrist flexion; involves the common flexor origin.

Grades pediatric physeal (growth-plate) fractures I–V (SALTR): Slipped, Above, Lower, Through, Crush.

Bone remodels along lines of mechanical stress — load promotes bone deposition; disuse promotes resorption.

Soft tissue remodels along lines of stress — the soft-tissue analog of Wolff's law.

When a convex surface moves on a fixed concave one, the joint glide is OPPOSITE the bone's roll/swing direction.

When a concave surface moves on a fixed convex one, the joint glide is in the SAME direction as the bone movement.

Open (loose) = max joint play, best for mobilization; closed packed = max congruency/ligament tension, least joint play.

Full extension with tibial external rotation (screw-home mechanism).

Terminal knee extension couples with tibial external rotation, locking the knee for stability in standing.

Angle of the quadriceps line of pull to the patellar tendon; normal ~13° (men) / ~18° (women); increased values raise patellofemoral stress.

Decision rule for which ankle/foot injuries need an X-ray (malleolar/midfoot tenderness or inability to bear weight 4 steps).

Acute monoarthritis, classically the first MTP joint, from monosodium urate crystals (negatively birefringent needles).

Anterior slippage of one vertebra on another, often L5 on S1; may cause a palpable step-off and neural symptoms.

Lateral spinal curvature measured by the Cobb angle; > 10° defines scoliosis, > 45–50° often warrants surgical consult.

The supraspinatus.

Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis.

Initiates shoulder abduction (first ~15–30°).

Compression of the median nerve at the wrist — night paresthesias in the thumb, index, middle, and half the ring finger.

Compression of the brachial plexus/subclavian vessels at the thoracic outlet — arm paresthesia worse with overhead use.

Sciatic-nerve irritation by the piriformis — buttock pain referring down the leg, worse with sitting.

Heel/medial-arch pain worst with the first steps in the morning; tender at the medial calcaneal tubercle.

Posterior heel/tendon pain and stiffness; eccentric loading (heel drops) is evidence-based treatment.

Squeezing the calf produces no plantarflexion — a positive test for a complete Achilles tendon rupture.

The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) — injured in inversion sprains.

Avoid hip flexion > 90°, adduction past midline, and internal rotation to prevent dislocation.

Restore knee extension (avoid a flexion contracture) and quad control; progress ROM and weight bearing early.

Measurement of joint range of motion in degrees using a goniometer (axis over the joint, arms along the segments).

Supine with hips and knees flexed and feet flat — a common starting position for core/pelvic exercises.

Lordosis = increased lumbar/cervical concavity (sway-back); kyphosis = increased thoracic convexity (hunchback).

Anterior translation of the head increasing upper-cervical extension and lower-cervical flexion; loads the cervical spine.

Tight upper trapezius/levator and pectorals with weak deep neck flexors and lower trapezius — a postural muscle imbalance.

Anterior (anteroinferior) glenohumeral dislocation.

Bankart = anteroinferior labral tear; Hill-Sachs = compression fracture of the posterolateral humeral head — both from anterior dislocation.

Passive hip flexion with the knee extended; radicular pain at 30–70° suggests lumbar nerve-root irritation (sciatica).

Seated neural tension test for the lumbar spine and sciatic nerve; reproduced radicular symptoms are a positive finding.

Cervical extension, lateral flexion, and compression reproduce radicular arm symptoms — cervical nerve-root compression.

Hypertonia/spasticity, hyperreflexia, clonus, positive Babinski, no significant atrophy — lesion above the anterior horn.

Flaccidity, hyporeflexia/areflexia, fasciculations, and marked atrophy — lesion at or below the anterior horn cell.

Up-going great toe with plantar stroking; abnormal (UMN lesion) in adults, normal in infants under ~1 year.

Grades spasticity 0–4 by resistance to passive movement (0 none; 4 rigid in flexion or extension).

0 absent, 1+ diminished, 2+ normal, 3+ brisk, 4+ clonus/hyperactive.

Lateral arm (over the deltoid).

Lateral forearm, thumb, and index finger.

Middle finger.

Little finger and medial hand.

Nipple line.

Umbilicus.

Medial leg and medial malleolus.

Dorsum of the foot and great toe.

Lateral foot, little toe, and the heel.

Shoulder abduction (deltoid) and elbow flexion.

Elbow flexion (biceps) and wrist extension; reflex = brachioradialis.

Elbow extension (triceps) and wrist flexion; reflex = triceps.

Knee extension / ankle dorsiflexion; reflex = patellar.

Great-toe extension (EHL) and ankle dorsiflexion.

Ankle plantarflexion and hip extension; reflex = Achilles.

C5–C6.

L3–L4.

S1–S2.

Contralateral hemiparesis/hemisensory loss, face and arm > leg, and aphasia (dominant) or neglect (nondominant).

Contralateral weakness/sensory loss with the leg > arm/face.

Contralateral homonymous hemianopia with macular sparing; visual deficits predominate.

Six stages of post-stroke motor recovery: flaccidity → synergies/spasticity emerge → spasticity peaks → out-of-synergy → near-normal → normal.

Complete — no motor or sensory function preserved in sacral segments S4–S5.

Sensory incomplete — sensory but no motor function preserved below the level (including S4–S5).

Motor incomplete — C: more than half of key muscles below the level grade < 3; D: at least half grade ≥ 3.

Cord hemisection: ipsilateral motor + proprioception/vibration loss; contralateral pain/temperature loss.

Loss of motor and pain/temperature below the lesion with preserved proprioception/vibration; poor prognosis.

Greater upper-extremity than lower-extremity weakness; common after hyperextension injury in older adults.

Emergency in SCI at/above T6: sudden severe hypertension, pounding headache, sweating above the lesion — sit the patient up and find the noxious trigger (often bladder).

Tremor (resting, pill-rolling), Rigidity (cogwheel), Akinesia/bradykinesia, and Postural instability.

Ataxia, dysmetria, dysdiadochokinesia, intention tremor, and a wide-based unsteady gait.

Demyelinating CNS disease with relapsing-remitting deficits; heat worsens symptoms (Uhthoff phenomenon) — avoid overheating in exercise.

Progressive degeneration of UPPER and LOWER motor neurons — combined UMN and LMN signs with intact sensation and cognition.

Acute ascending symmetric flaccid paralysis (LMN) after infection; avoid fatiguing/overwork during recovery.

Eye opening (4), verbal (5), motor (6); range 3–15. ≤ 8 indicates a comatose state.

Increased sway/loss of balance with eyes closed (vs open) indicates a proprioceptive/dorsal-column deficit.

Bell's palsy (peripheral) affects the whole half of the face; a central (UMN) lesion spares the forehead.

Stance is about 60% of the cycle; swing is about 40%.

Stance subphase where the foot first contacts the ground; the heel rocker begins.

Stance subphase of weight acceptance/shock absorption from initial contact to opposite toe-off.

Single-limb support; the body progresses over a stationary foot (ankle rocker).

Heel rises and the body advances ahead of the forefoot (forefoot rocker), ending at opposite initial contact.

Final stance subphase as the limb prepares to leave the ground; double-limb support.

Initial swing, mid swing, and terminal swing — the limb advances and prepares for the next contact.

Pelvic drop toward the unsupported swing side from gluteus medius (hip abductor) weakness on the stance side.

Shortened stance time on the painful limb to limit weight bearing.

Exaggerated hip/knee flexion to clear a foot drop (dorsiflexor/L4–L5 or peroneal-nerve weakness).

Short, shuffling, accelerating steps with a stooped posture — characteristic of Parkinson disease.

Wide-based, staggering, irregular steps from cerebellar dysfunction.

Rising onto the toes of the stance limb to clear a long or stiff swing limb (e.g., a locked-knee prosthesis).

Upper brachial plexus (C5–C6) injury — the 'waiter's tip' posture (adducted, internally rotated, pronated).

Lower brachial plexus (C8–T1) injury — intrinsic hand weakness, a 'claw hand.'

'Ape hand' / loss of thumb opposition and weakness of the first two lumbricals; sensory loss over the lateral palm.

'Claw hand' (4th–5th digits), weak finger abduction/adduction; sensory loss over the little finger.

'Wrist drop' from loss of wrist/finger extensors; commonly from a humeral midshaft fracture.

Foot drop and loss of dorsiflexion/eversion; sensory loss over the dorsum of the foot.

L4–S3.

Disproportionate pain with autonomic/trophic changes (swelling, temperature/color change) after injury; early motion helps.

Flexion of the arms toward the core — indicates a lesion above the midbrain (red nucleus).

Extension of the arms and legs — indicates a more caudal (brainstem) lesion; worse prognosis than decorticate.

Stereotyped mass movement patterns (flexor/extensor) that emerge with spasticity; goal is out-of-synergy control.

After stroke, the patient actively pushes toward the weaker side and resists correction; use visual vertical cues.

Restraining the unaffected arm to force use of the affected arm after stroke (forced use + massed practice).

Repetition, intensity, salience, and specificity drive cortical reorganization after CNS injury.

Hemiplegia = complete one-sided paralysis; hemiparesis = one-sided weakness.

Transient loss of all reflexes and flaccidity below an acute SCI lesion; reflexes return over days to weeks.

Wrist extension (tenodesis grasp) is present; can be independent with adaptive equipment for many ADLs.

Tests protective sensation; inability to feel the 5.07 (10 g) monofilament indicates loss of protective sensation.

Tests sensory acuity (dorsal column); normal at the fingertips is about 2–4 mm.

Awareness of joint position and movement, carried by the dorsal column–medial lemniscus pathway.

Carries pain and temperature sensation; crosses near the level of entry (decussates in the cord).

Carries fine touch, vibration, and proprioception; decussates in the medulla.

The main descending motor pathway; decussates at the medullary pyramids (lateral corticospinal tract).

Intact skin with localized non-blanchable erythema.

Partial-thickness loss of dermis — a shallow open ulcer or intact/ruptured blister.

Full-thickness skin loss; subcutaneous fat may be visible but no exposed bone, tendon, or muscle.

Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon, or muscle.

Full-thickness loss obscured by slough or eschar so the depth cannot be determined until it is removed.

Arterial ulcers form at distal toes/lateral malleolus (punched-out, painful); venous ulcers form at the medial malleolus (irregular, weepy).

Compression therapy is the mainstay (after confirming adequate arterial flow with ABI).

Improve perfusion; AVOID compression, which can worsen ischemia. Confirm with a low ABI.

Epidermis only (e.g., sunburn) — red, painful, no blisters; heals without scarring.

Epidermis + upper dermis — blisters, very painful, blanches; heals in ~2–3 weeks.

Into the deep dermis — mottled red/white, reduced sensation; may need grafting.

Entire dermis (and beyond) — leathery/white/charred, insensate; requires grafting.

Estimates total body surface area burned: head 9%, each arm 9%, each leg 18%, anterior trunk 18%, posterior trunk 18%, perineum 1%.

Hemostasis → inflammation → proliferation (granulation/epithelialization) → maturation/remodeling.

Selective removes only nonviable tissue (sharp, enzymatic, autolytic); nonselective removes viable and nonviable tissue (wet-to-dry, wound irrigation).

Hemoglobin A1c ≥ 6.5% (one ADA diagnostic threshold).

Shakiness, sweating, tachycardia, confusion; treat a conscious patient with fast-acting oral carbohydrate (the '15-15 rule').

Avoid exercise if glucose is very high with ketones; check glucose before/after and have carbohydrate available to prevent hypoglycemia.

Fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, and reduced exercise tolerance; progress activity gradually.

Weight-bearing and resistance exercise with postural training; AVOID loaded trunk flexion/twisting (fracture risk).

Central obesity, moon face, buffalo hump, skin fragility, and proximal muscle weakness from cortisol excess.

Inspect insensate feet daily and use proper footwear; protect from injury due to lost protective sensation.

Avoid the supine/Trendelenburg position soon after meals; elevate the head of the bed.

Right upper-quadrant pain may refer to the right scapula/shoulder.

Periumbilical pain that migrates to the right lower quadrant (McBurney point).

Point in the right lower quadrant tender in appendicitis (one-third the distance from the ASIS to the umbilicus).

Leakage with increased abdominal pressure (cough, sneeze, lift); pelvic-floor (Kegel) strengthening is first-line PT.

Sudden strong urge with leakage (overactive bladder); bladder training and pelvic-floor relaxation/urge-suppression help.

Repeated contraction of the levator ani to improve continence and pelvic support.

Complete decongestive therapy: manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, exercise, and skin care.

A gentle, superficial technique that moves lymph from congested toward functioning lymphatic regions.

Avoid BP cuffs, venipuncture, and constrictive items on a limb at risk for or with lymphedema.

Inability to pinch/tent the skin at the base of the second toe/finger — a positive sign of lymphedema.

Days 0–~6: redness, heat, swelling, pain; protect the tissue and control inflammation (PRICE/POLICE).

Days ~3–21: collagen and granulation form; begin controlled, gentle loading to align fibers.

Day ~21 to a year+: collagen matures and aligns to stress; progressive loading and functional training.

Protection, Optimal Loading, Ice, Compression, Elevation — updates RICE to include early controlled loading.

Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands — the body adapts specifically to the type of stress placed on it.

To improve, a tissue/system must be stressed beyond its usual demand; underpins progressive resistance.

Three sets at 50%, 75%, then 100% of a 10-rep max — a classic strengthening progression.

Concentric = muscle shortens under load; eccentric = muscle lengthens under load (eccentric generates the most force).

Type I = slow, oxidative, fatigue-resistant (endurance); Type II = fast, glycolytic, high force (power).

Muscle soreness 24–72 hours after unaccustomed (especially eccentric) exercise; resolves on its own.

Strength: heavier loads, ~6–8 reps; endurance: lighter loads, higher reps (15+) — train per the SAID goal.

Closed chain = distal segment fixed (squat); open chain = distal segment free (knee extension machine).

When an agonist contracts, its antagonist is reflexively inhibited — used to relax a tight antagonist (contract-relax).

An isometric contraction of the tight muscle, then relaxation, to gain passive range — used to improve flexibility.

Spiral-diagonal movement patterns that combine motion in three planes to facilitate functional movement.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is treated with canalith repositioning (e.g., the Epley maneuver).

Positional test that provokes nystagmus/vertigo to diagnose BPPV (posterior canal).

A 14-item, 0–56 functional balance measure; lower scores indicate greater fall risk.

Times rising from a chair, walking 3 m, turning, and sitting; ≥ 12–13.5 s suggests increased fall risk.

Measures how far one can reach forward in standing; a reach < 6 inches indicates increased fall risk.

Submaximal aerobic/endurance test measuring the distance walked in 6 minutes.

About 12 months (range ~9–15 months).

The most common CP type — UMN signs with spasticity; manage tone, contractures, and functional mobility.

Newborn assessment of Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration (0–2 each) at 1 and 5 minutes.

Ligaments are relatively avascular and heal slowly; protect early, then progressively load to align collagen.

Aerobic fitness (VO₂max) declines within ~2 weeks of stopping training — reversibility principle.

Training adaptations are lost when the stimulus is removed ('use it or lose it').

Static stretching is safest for general flexibility; ballistic (bouncing) carries higher injury risk and is reserved for trained athletes.

Contract-relax uses an isotonic (moving) contraction of the tight muscle; hold-relax uses an isometric contraction.

Not during the acute inflammatory phase — begin progressive loading/stretch in the proliferation and remodeling phases.

An 18-item, 7-level scale rating burden of care for ADLs/mobility; higher = more independent.

The therapist keeps hands on but provides no actual physical assistance.

Min = patient does 75%+; mod = patient does 50–74%; max = patient does 25–49% of the effort.

No physical contact; the therapist stays near in case help is needed.

Abnormal bone formation in soft tissue after SCI/TBI/burns; presents as warmth, swelling, and lost ROM.

Cognitive (understanding the task) → associative (refining) → autonomous (automatic).

Blocked practice improves short-term performance; random practice improves long-term retention and transfer.

KR = feedback about the outcome; KP = feedback about the movement quality; faded feedback aids retention.

Typically the widest part of the hips/thighs plus about 2 inches (~1 inch clearance each side).

From the posterior buttock to the popliteal fold, minus about 2 inches to avoid pressure behind the knees.

Pad ~2–3 finger-widths (about 2 inches) below the axilla; handgrip with the elbow flexed ~20–30°.

Handle at the level of the greater trochanter (or ulnar styloid) with the elbow flexed ~20–30°.

On the side OPPOSITE the affected/weaker limb to widen the base and reduce load on the affected side.

Used for non-weight-bearing on one limb — both crutches and the involved limb advance, then the sound limb.

One crutch and the opposite leg move together — for partial weight bearing; faster, mimics normal gait.

The most stable pattern — move one crutch, then the opposite foot, alternating; for poor balance/coordination.

'Up with the good' — lead with the uninvolved (stronger) leg going up.

'Down with the bad' — lead with the involved (weaker) leg and the device going down.

A maximum slope of 1:12 (1 inch of rise per 12 inches of run) for accessible ramps.

Controls ankle/foot position — commonly used for foot drop to assist swing-phase clearance.

Transtibial = below-knee (preserves the knee, better outcomes); transfemoral = above-knee.

Avoid prolonged flexion (e.g., pillow under a transtibial limb) to prevent flexion contractures; wrap to shape the limb.

Grades I–IV oscillations (I–II for pain, III–IV for stiffness); Grade V = high-velocity thrust manipulation.

Vasoconstriction, decreased metabolism, decreased nerve conduction and pain — used acutely for inflammation/edema.

Vasodilation, increased blood flow and tissue extensibility, and decreased pain/muscle guarding (subacute/chronic).

Acute inflammation, impaired sensation, poor circulation, malignancy, or over a deep-vein thrombosis.

Continuous = thermal (deep heating); pulsed = nonthermal (cavitation/microstreaming for tissue healing).

1 MHz penetrates deeper (~3–5 cm); 3 MHz heats superficial tissues (~1–2 cm).

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; conventional (high-rate) TENS uses the gate-control mechanism for pain.

Stimulates motor nerves to elicit muscle contraction for strengthening or re-education (e.g., quad after knee surgery).

Uses direct current to drive a charged medication (e.g., dexamethasone) through the skin into tissue.

May reduce nerve-root compression/radicular symptoms by separating vertebral segments.

Non-noxious input (e.g., TENS, rubbing) 'closes the gate' in the dorsal horn, reducing pain transmission.

Treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious — hand hygiene, gloves, and PPE for every patient.

Hand hygiene (handwashing or alcohol-based rub) before and after every patient contact.

For TB, measles, varicella — negative-pressure room and an N95 respirator.

For influenza, pertussis, meningococcus — a surgical mask within ~3–6 feet of the patient.

For MRSA, C. difficile (use soap and water, not just alcohol rub, for C. diff) — gown and gloves.

Don: gown → mask → goggles → gloves. Doff: gloves → goggles → gown → mask (last and away from the face).

Resting systolic BP > 200 mmHg or diastolic > 110 mmHg, or unstable cardiac signs — hold exercise.

Lock wheelchair brakes, use a gait belt, clear the path, and guard on the affected side during transfers/ambulation.

Unilateral calf pain, swelling, warmth, redness; hold lower-extremity exercise and report immediately (risk of PE).

Unexplained weight loss, night pain, bowel/bladder changes, saddle anesthesia, fever, or progressive neuro deficits.

A surgical emergency: saddle anesthesia, bowel/bladder dysfunction, and bilateral leg weakness — refer immediately.

Pain (out of proportion, with passive stretch), Paresthesia, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paralysis — a surgical emergency.

Consider vertebrobasilar insufficiency — avoid sustained end-range cervical rotation/extension; refer if positive.

Dizziness, Diplopia, Dysarthria, Dysphagia, Drop attacks; Nausea, Numbness, Nystagmus — signs of vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

Keep the load close, bend at the hips/knees (not the back), maintain a neutral spine, and avoid twisting.

A patient with capacity voluntarily agrees to treatment after being told its risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Federal law protecting the privacy and security of identifiable health information; share only the minimum necessary.

A PTA cannot supervise another PTA's care plan; the PT performs the evaluation and establishes/revises the plan of care.

The initial examination/evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, plan of care, and re-evaluation remain the PT's responsibility.

Beneficence = act in the patient's best interest; nonmaleficence = 'do no harm.'

The patient's right to make their own informed decisions about care, including the right to refuse.

Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan — the standard format for clinical PT notes.

Delivering care that respects each patient's cultural beliefs, language, and values to improve outcomes.

PTs must report suspected abuse/neglect of children, elders, or vulnerable adults to the proper authorities.

The proportion of people WITH the condition who test positive; high sensitivity (SnNout) rules a condition OUT when negative.

The proportion of people WITHOUT the condition who test negative; high specificity (SpPin) rules a condition IN when positive.

Sensitivity / (1 − specificity); a higher value increases the post-test probability of disease.

Reliability = consistency/reproducibility of a measure; validity = whether it measures what it intends to measure.

The smallest change in a measure that exceeds measurement error — change beyond it is likely real.

The smallest change in an outcome that a patient perceives as meaningful/beneficial.

Systematic reviews/meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials sit at the top of the evidence hierarchy.

Random allocation to intervention vs control reduces bias; the strongest single-study design for treatment effects.

Integrating the best research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values/preferences in decision-making.

Type I = rejecting a true null (false positive, α); Type II = failing to reject a false null (false negative, β).

p < 0.05 is the conventional threshold to reject the null hypothesis (a 5% chance of a Type I error).

Nominal = categories; ordinal = ranked order (MMT grades); interval/ratio = equal intervals (ratio has a true zero).