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Free npte-pta Practice Questions

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Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the npte-pta practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

  1. 1Before starting a walking program, a physical therapist assistant seats a patient quietly for five minutes and measures blood pressure as 134/82 mm Hg, then confirms the same reading on a repeat measurement. Using the national blood pressure categories, which category does this reading fall in?

    1. A. High blood pressure stage 1
    2. B. Elevated blood pressure
    3. C. High blood pressure stage 2
    4. D. Normal blood pressure

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The national categories published by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute define the stage 1 band as "High Blood Pressure Stage 1 130 to 139 systolic pressure OR 80 to 89 diastolic pressure", and a reading of 134/82 mm Hg falls inside that band on both components. The closest distractor, elevated blood pressure, is defined as "Elevated 120 to 129 systolic pressure AND Less than 80 diastolic pressure", which this reading exceeds on both numbers. Stage 2 requires "140 or higher systolic pressure OR 90 or higher diastolic pressure", and normal requires "Less than 120 systolic pressure AND Less than 80 diastolic pressure".

    Source: High Blood Pressure - What Is High Blood Pressure? | NHLBI, NIH — Causes and Risk Factors section, 'Blood pressure levels' category table

  2. 2An older adult wearing regular footwear is timed rising from a standard arm chair, walking to a line 10 feet away, turning, walking back, and sitting down. At what time to complete this test is the patient considered to be at risk for falling?

    1. A. 12 seconds or more
    2. B. 8 seconds or more
    3. C. 16 seconds or more
    4. D. 20 seconds or more

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The Timed Up and Go form states "Purpose: To assess mobility" and directs the tester to identify a "line 3 meters, or 10 feet away, on the floor." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scoring line on the Timed Up and Go form states that an older adult who takes 12 or more seconds to complete the TUG is at risk for falling, and the form sets out the standardized procedure used here: regular footwear, a permitted walking aid, a standard arm chair, and a line 3 meters, or 10 feet, away. The published cut point is therefore 12 seconds and above. Eight seconds is inside the expected range for an unimpaired older adult, and 16 and 20 seconds are slower times that are already well past the cut point, so using them would delay identifying a patient the test has already flagged.

    Source: Assessment Timed Up & Go (TUG) — Timed Up & Go assessment form: 'Purpose: To assess mobility' and the 'Time in Seconds:' scoring line

  3. 3Over a patient's sacrum the assistant finds an area of partial-thickness skin loss with the dermis exposed. The wound bed is viable, pink, and moist, and no slough or eschar is present. Which stage does this description correspond to?

    1. A. Stage 2 pressure injury
    2. B. Stage 1 pressure injury
    3. C. Stage 3 pressure injury
    4. D. Unstageable pressure injury

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The national staging descriptions used in coverage policy state: "Stage 2 Pressure Injury: Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis Partial-thickness loss of skin with exposed dermis. The wound bed is viable, pink or red, moist, and may also present as an intact or ruptured serum-filled blister. Adipose (fat) is not visible and deeper tissues are not visible. Granulation tissue, slough and eschar are not present." Stage 1 is intact skin with non-blanchable erythema, Stage 3 shows visible adipose tissue, and unstageable means slough or eschar obscures the depth, none of which fits this wound.

    Source: LCD - Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 2 (L33642) — Appendices, staging of pressure ulcers, Stage 2 Pressure Injury

  4. 4A young adult on the caseload has type 1 diabetes. Which problem in the body produces this form of diabetes?

    1. A. The body makes little or no insulin, so glucose cannot get into the cells
    2. B. The body makes excess insulin, so glucose is driven into the cells too quickly
    3. C. The kidneys excrete insulin, so circulating insulin falls after each meal
    4. D. The liver stores insulin, so the hormone is unavailable between meals

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases states: "Type 1 diabetes is a disease that occurs when your body makes little or no insulin", and explains that insulin is the hormone that helps "blood glucose , also called blood sugar, get into the body’s cells to be used as energy". Excess insulin secretion, renal excretion of insulin, and hepatic storage of insulin are all plausible-sounding endocrine mechanisms, but none of them is what defines type 1 diabetes.

    Source: Type 1 Diabetes - NIDDK — What is type 1 diabetes?

  5. 5A patient's chart lists chronic kidney disease. What does that diagnosis mean about the kidneys?

    1. A. They are damaged or have a problem with their structure and cannot filter blood as they should
    2. B. They produce too much urine because the collecting ducts have become overactive
    3. C. They have been surgically reduced in size after an injury to the abdomen
    4. D. They filter normally but cannot concentrate urine because of a hormone deficiency

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases states: "Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means your kidneys are damaged or have a problem with their structure and can’t filter blood the way they should." Overactive collecting ducts, surgical reduction, and an isolated concentrating defect are all plausible-sounding renal problems, but none of them is what this diagnosis means.

    Source: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) - NIDDK — Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), definition

  6. 6A patient treated for breast cancer is being monitored for arm swelling with a tape measure. At which points are the sequential arm circumference measurements taken?

    1. A. At the metacarpophalangeal joints, the wrist, and set distances along the forearm and arm on both sides
    2. B. At the fingertips, the elbow crease, and the acromion on the affected side only
    3. C. At the widest point of the forearm and the widest point of the arm on both sides
    4. D. At the wrist and the axilla on the affected side, compared with the patient's recalled baseline

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The National Cancer Institute summary describes the method as "circumferential upper-extremity measurement using specific anatomical landmarks" and states that "Arm circumference measurements are used to estimate volume differences between the affected and unaffected arms. Sequential measurements are taken at four points on both arms: the metacarpal-phalangeal joints, the wrist, 10 cm di" and continues with the remaining set distances. Measuring only the affected side, using the widest point rather than fixed landmarks, or comparing with a recalled baseline all abandon the landmark-based bilateral comparison the method depends on.

    Source: Lymphedema (PDQ®) - NCI — Diagnosis, circumferential upper-extremity measurement

  7. 7A patient who is at increased risk for venous thromboembolism is about to take a nine-hour flight and asks the assistant what mechanical measure has evidence behind it. Which measure reduces asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis in travelers?

    1. A. Graduated compression stockings
    2. B. An elastic abdominal binder
    3. C. A lumbar support cushion
    4. D. A cervical travel collar

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that "Graduated compression stockings (GCS) appear to reduce asymptomatic DVT in travelers and are generally well tolerated." An abdominal binder, a lumbar support cushion, and a cervical travel collar are all real devices a traveler might be given, but none of them is the measure shown to reduce asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis during travel.

    Source: Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism | CDC Yellow Book™ — Prevention, Graduated compression stockings and pharmacologic prophylaxis

  8. 8Neuromuscular electrical stimulation has been added to the plan of care to address disuse atrophy of the quadriceps after six weeks in a cast. Which condition must hold for this use of electrical stimulation to be appropriate?

    1. A. The nerve supply to the muscle is intact
    2. B. The patient reports no pain at the treatment site
    3. C. The muscle has measurable atrophy on both limbs
    4. D. The patient can actively contract the muscle against gravity

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The national coverage policy for outpatient therapy limits this indication "to those patients where the nerve supply to the muscle is intact, including brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, and other non-neurological reasons for disuse are causing the atrophy (e.g., post-casting or splinting of a limb, and contracture due to soft tissue scarring)." Absence of pain, bilateral atrophy, and an existing antigravity contraction are all clinically relevant observations, but none of them is the condition that governs whether stimulation for disuse atrophy is appropriate.

    Source: LCD - Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Services (L33631) — LCD L33631 Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Services, electrical stimulation for disuse atrophy

  9. 9A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease asks whether the disease is severe enough for a pulmonary rehabilitation program. Which classification of disease severity is used nationally to identify the patients for whom the program is covered?

    1. A. Moderate to very severe disease, defined as GOLD classification II, III, and IV
    2. B. Mild to moderate disease, defined as GOLD classification I and II
    3. C. Severe disease only, defined as GOLD classification IV
    4. D. Any stage of disease, provided a bronchodilator has been prescribed

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The national billing and coding article for pulmonary rehabilitation services lists the covered indication as "Moderate to very severe COPD (defined as GOLD classification II, III and IV), when referred by the physician treating the chronic respiratory disease." Restricting the program to classification I and II, or to classification IV alone, misstates the band, and prescription of a bronchodilator is not the criterion used to define severity.

    Source: Article - Billing and Coding: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services (A52770) — Article A52770 Billing and Coding: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services, covered indications

  10. 10A clinical practice guideline labels one of its recommendations Strong for and another Weak for. What do those labels convey about the recommendations?

    1. A. The strength of the recommendation, which reflects the confidence the work group has in it
    2. B. The number of studies that the evidence review retrieved on the topic addressed by the recommendation
    3. C. The number of work group clinicians who voted in favor of including the recommendation in the guideline
    4. D. The order in which the recommendation is expected to be implemented once the guideline is published

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The national clinical practice guidelines pair each recommendation with a strength category; the stroke rehabilitation guideline, for example, marks its task-specific practice recommendation "Strong for | Reviewed, Not changed" and marks suggested interventions such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation "Weak for | Reviewed, New-replaced" in the same column. Study counts, vote counts, and implementation order are all real pieces of information about a guideline, but none of them is what the strength label reports.

    Source: VA DoD CPG for Management of Stroke Rehabilitation — Recommendation strength categories accompanying the numbered recommendations

Topics in this practice bank

These topics describe the available practice for npte-pta. Review the examination outline and its sources for scope and allocation details.

  • CARDIOVASCULAR & PULMONARY SYSTEMS — published item ranges: Physical Therapy Data Collection 5-8; Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment 7-9; Interventions 8-10; total per system 20-27 — Physical Therapy Data Collection — This category refers to knowledge of the types and applications of cardiovascular & pulmonary systems tests/measures, including outcome measures, according to current best evidence. The category includes the reaction of the cardiovascular & pulmonary systems to tests/measures and the mechanics of body movement as related to the cardiovascular & pulmonary systems. Information covered in these areas supports appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan. — Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — This category refers to foundational scientific principles and knowledge of diseases and conditions of the cardiovascular & pulmonary systems to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan. — Interventions — This category refers to cardiovascular & pulmonary systems interventions (including types, applications, responses, and potential complications), according to current best evidence, as well as the impact on the cardiovascular & pulmonary systems of interventions performed on other systems in order to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan.
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Cardiovascular & pulmonary systems tests/measures, including outcome measures, and their applications according to current best evidence
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular & pulmonary systems as related to tests/measures
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Movement analysis as related to the cardiovascular & pulmonary systems (e.g., rib cage excursion, breathing pattern)
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Cardiovascular & pulmonary systems diseases/conditions and their pathophysiology to carry out the established plan of care
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Nonpharmacological medical management of the cardiovascular & pulmonary systems (e.g., diagnostic imaging, laboratory test values, other medical tests, surgical procedures)
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — The impact of pharmacology used to treat the cardiovascular & pulmonary system on physical therapy management
    • Interventions — Cardiovascular & pulmonary systems physical therapy interventions and their applications for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance according to current best evidence
    • Interventions — Anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular & pulmonary systems as related to physical therapy interventions, daily activities, and environmental factors
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the cardiovascular & pulmonary systems from physical therapy interventions
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the cardiovascular & pulmonary systems from physical therapy interventions used on other systems
  • MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM — published item ranges: Physical Therapy Data Collection 9-12; Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment 10-13; Interventions 12-15; total per system 31-40 — Physical Therapy Data Collection — This category refers to knowledge of the types and applications of musculoskeletal system tests/measures, including outcome measures, according to current best evidence. The category includes the reaction of the musculoskeletal system to tests/measures and the mechanics of body movement as related to the musculoskeletal system. Information covered in these areas supports appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan. — Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — This category refers to foundational scientific principles and knowledge of diseases and conditions of the musculoskeletal system to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan. — Interventions — This category refers to musculoskeletal system interventions (including types, applications, responses, and potential complications), according to current best evidence, as well as the impact on the musculoskeletal system of interventions performed on other systems in order to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan.
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Musculoskeletal system tests/measures, including outcome measures, and their applications according to current best evidence
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system as related to tests/measures
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Movement analysis as related to the musculoskeletal system
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Joint biomechanics and their applications
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Musculoskeletal system diseases/conditions and their pathophysiology to carry out the established plan of care
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Nonpharmacological medical management of the musculoskeletal system (e.g., diagnostic imaging, laboratory test values, other medical tests, surgical procedures)
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — The impact of pharmacology used to treat the musculoskeletal system on physical therapy management
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Connective tissue diseases/conditions and their pathophysiology to carry out the established plan of care
    • Interventions — Musculoskeletal system physical therapy interventions and their applications for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance according to current best evidence
    • Interventions — Anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system as related to physical therapy interventions, daily activities, and environmental factors
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the musculoskeletal system from physical therapy interventions
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the musculoskeletal system from physical therapy interventions used on other systems
  • NEUROMUSCULAR & NERVOUS SYSTEMS — published item ranges: Physical Therapy Data Collection 8-10; Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment 9-12; Interventions 10-13; total per system 27-35 — Physical Therapy Data Collection — This category refers to knowledge of the types and applications of neuromuscular & nervous systems tests/measures, including outcome measures, according to current best evidence. The category includes the reaction of the neuromuscular & nervous systems to tests/measures and the mechanics of body movement as related to the neuromuscular & nervous systems. Information covered in these areas supports appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan. — Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — This category refers to foundational scientific principles and knowledge of diseases and conditions of the neuromuscular & nervous systems to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan. — Interventions — This category refers to neuromuscular & nervous systems interventions (including types, applications, responses, and potential complications), according to current best evidence, as well as the impact on the neuromuscular & nervous systems of interventions performed on other systems in order to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan.
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Neuromuscular & nervous systems tests/measures, including outcome measures, and their applications according to current best evidence
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Anatomy and physiology of the neuromuscular & nervous systems as related to tests/measures
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Movement analysis as related to the neuromuscular & nervous systems
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Neuromuscular & nervous systems (CNS, PNS, ANS) diseases/conditions and their pathophysiology to carry out the established plan of care
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Nonpharmacological medical management of the neuromuscular & nervous systems (e.g., diagnostic imaging, laboratory test values, other medical tests, surgical procedures)
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — The impact of pharmacology used to treat the neuromuscular and nervous systems on physical therapy management
    • Interventions — Neuromuscular & nervous systems physical therapy interventions and their applications for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance according to current best evidence
    • Interventions — Anatomy and physiology of the neuromuscular & nervous systems as related to physical therapy interventions, daily activities, and environmental factors
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the neuromuscular & nervous systems from physical therapy interventions
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the neuromuscular & nervous systems from physical therapy interventions used on other systems
    • Interventions — Motor control as related to neuromuscular & nervous systems physical therapy interventions
    • Interventions — Motor learning as related to neuromuscular & nervous systems physical therapy interventions
  • INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM — published item ranges: Physical Therapy Data Collection 1-2; Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment 1-3; Interventions 1-3; total per system 3-8 — Physical Therapy Data Collection — This category refers to knowledge of the types and applications of integumentary system tests/measures, including outcome measures, according to current best evidence. The category includes the reaction of the integumentary system to tests/measures and the mechanics of body movement as related to the integumentary system. Information covered in these areas supports appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan. — Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — This category refers to foundational scientific principles and knowledge of diseases and conditions of the integumentary system to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan. — Interventions — This category refers to integumentary system interventions (including types, applications, responses, and potential complications), according to current best evidence, as well as the impact on the integumentary system of interventions performed on other systems in order to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan.
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Integumentary system tests/measures, including outcome measures, and their applications according to current best evidence
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Anatomy and physiology of the integumentary system as related to tests/measures
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Movement analysis as related to the integumentary system (e.g., friction, shear, pressure, and scar mobility)
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Integumentary system diseases/conditions and their pathophysiology to carry out the established plan of care
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Nonpharmacological medical management of the integumentary system (e.g., diagnostic imaging, laboratory test values, other medical tests, surgical procedures)
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — The impact of pharmacology used to treat the integumentary system on physical therapy management
    • Interventions — Integumentary system physical therapy interventions and their applications for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance according to current best evidence
    • Interventions — Anatomy and physiology of the integumentary system as related to physical therapy interventions, daily activities, and environmental factors
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the integumentary system from physical therapy and medical/surgical interventions
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the integumentary system from physical therapy interventions used on other systems
  • METABOLIC & ENDOCRINE SYSTEMS — published item ranges: Physical Therapy Data Collection not allocated; Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment 2-3; Interventions 2-3; total per system 4-6 — Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — This category refers to foundational scientific principles and knowledge of diseases and conditions of the metabolic & endocrine systems to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan. — Interventions — This category refers to metabolic & endocrine systems interventions (including types, applications, responses, and potential complications), according to current best evidence, as well as the impact on the metabolic & endocrine systems of interventions performed on other systems in order to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan.
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Metabolic & endocrine systems diseases/conditions and their pathophysiology to carry out the established plan of care
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Nonpharmacological medical management of the metabolic & endocrine systems (e.g., diagnostic imaging, laboratory test values, other medical tests, surgical procedures)
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — The impact of pharmacology used to treat the metabolic and endocrine systems on physical therapy management
    • Interventions — Metabolic & endocrine systems physical therapy interventions and their applications for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance according to current best evidence
    • Interventions — Anatomy and physiology of the metabolic & endocrine systems as related to physical therapy interventions, daily activities, and environmental factors
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the metabolic & endocrine systems from physical therapy interventions
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the metabolic & endocrine systems from physical therapy interventions used on other systems
  • GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM — published item ranges: Physical Therapy Data Collection not allocated; Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment 0-2; Interventions 0-2; total per system 0-4 — Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — This category refers to foundational scientific principles and knowledge of diseases and conditions of the gastrointestinal system to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan. — Interventions — This category refers to gastrointestinal system interventions (including types, applications, responses, and potential complications), according to current best evidence, as well as the impact on the gastrointestinal system of interventions performed on other systems in order to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan.
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Gastrointestinal system diseases/conditions and their pathophysiology to carry out the established plan of care
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Nonpharmacological medical management of the gastrointestinal system (e.g., surgical procedures, diagnostic imaging, laboratory test values, other medical tests)
    • Interventions — Gastrointestinal system physical therapy interventions and their applications for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance according to current best evidence (e.g., positioning for reflux prevention, bowel programs)
    • Interventions — Anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal system as related to physical therapy interventions, daily activities, and environmental factors
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the gastrointestinal system from physical therapy interventions
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the gastrointestinal system from physical therapy interventions used on other systems
  • GENITOURINARY SYSTEM — published item ranges: Physical Therapy Data Collection not allocated; Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment 0-2; Interventions 0-2; total per system 0-4 — Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — This category refers to foundational scientific principles and knowledge of diseases and conditions of the genitourinary system to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan. — Interventions — This category refers to genitourinary system interventions (including types, applications, responses, and potential complications), according to current best evidence, as well as the impact on the genitourinary system of interventions performed on other systems in order to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan.
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Genitourinary system diseases/conditions and their pathophysiology to carry out the established plan of care
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Nonpharmacological medical management of the genitourinary system (e.g., surgical procedures, diagnostic imaging, laboratory test values, other medical tests)
    • Interventions — Genitourinary system physical therapy interventions and their applications for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance according to current best evidence (e.g., bladder programs, biofeedback, pelvic floor retraining)
    • Interventions — Anatomy and physiology of the genitourinary system as related to physical therapy interventions, daily activities, and environmental factors
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the genitourinary system from physical therapy interventions
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the genitourinary system from physical therapy interventions used on other systems
  • LYMPHATIC SYSTEM — published item ranges: Physical Therapy Data Collection 0-2; Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment 1-2; Interventions 1-2; total per system 2-6 — Physical Therapy Data Collection — This category refers to knowledge of the types and applications of lymphatic system tests/measures, including outcome measures, according to current best evidence. The category includes the reaction of the lymphatic system to tests/measures and the mechanics of body movement as related to the lymphatic system. Information covered in these areas supports appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan. — Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — This category refers to foundational scientific principles and knowledge of diseases and conditions of the lymphatic system to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan. — Interventions — This category refers to lymphatic system interventions (including types, applications, responses, and potential complications), according to current best evidence, as well as the impact on the lymphatic system of interventions performed on other systems in order to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan.
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Lymphatic system tests/measures, including outcome measures, and their applications according to current best evidence
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system as related to tests/measures
    • Physical Therapy Data Collection — Movement analysis as related to the lymphatic system (e.g., compensatory movement, extremity range of motion)
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Lymphatic system diseases/conditions and their pathophysiology to carry out the established plan of care
    • Interventions — Lymphatic system physical therapy interventions and their applications for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance according to current best evidence
    • Interventions — Anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system as related to physical therapy interventions, daily activities, and environmental factors
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the lymphatic system from physical therapy interventions
    • Interventions — Adverse effects or complications on the lymphatic system from physical therapy interventions used on other systems
  • SYSTEM INTERACTIONS — published item ranges: Physical Therapy Data Collection not allocated; Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment 5-7; Interventions not allocated; total per system 5-7 — Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — This category refers to foundational scientific principles and knowledge of diseases and conditions involving system interactions to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan.
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Diseases/conditions where the primary impact is on more than one system (e.g., cancer, multitrauma, sarcoidosis, autoimmune disorders, pregnancy) to carry out the established plan of care
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Nonpharmacological medical management of multiple systems (e.g., diagnostic imaging, other medical tests, surgical procedures)
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — The impact of pharmacology used to treat multiple systems, including polypharmacy, on physical therapy management
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Impact of comorbidities/coexisting conditions on patient/client management (e.g., diabetes and hypertension; obesity and arthritis; dementia and hip fracture)
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Psychological and psychiatric conditions that impact patient/client management (e.g., grief, depression, schizophrenia)
    • Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment — Dimensions of pain (acute or persistent) that impact patient/client management (e.g., psychological, social, physiological, neurological, mechanical)
  • EQUIPMENT, DEVICES, & TECHNOLOGIES — published total per nonsystem 8-10 items — This category refers to the different types of equipment, devices, & technologies, use requirements, and/or contextual determinants, according to current best evidence, as well as any other influencing factors involved in the application of equipment, devices, & technologies, in order to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan.
    • Application and adjustments, indications, contraindications, and precautions of assistive and adaptive devices/technologies (e.g., walkers, wheelchairs, adaptive seating systems and positioning devices, mechanical lifts)
    • Application and adjustments, indications, contraindications, and precautions of prosthetic devices/technologies (e.g., lower-extremity and upper-extremity prostheses)
    • Application and adjustments, indications, contraindications, and precautions of protective, supportive, and orthotic devices/technologies (e.g., braces, helmets, compression garments, shoe inserts, splints)
  • THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES — published total per nonsystem 5-7 items — This category refers to the different types of therapeutic modalities, use requirements, and/or contextual determinants, according to current best evidence, as well as any other influencing factors involved in the application of therapeutic modalities, in order to support appropriate and effective patient/client management for rehabilitation, health promotion, and performance across the lifespan.
    • Applications, indications, contraindications, and precautions of thermal modalities
    • Applications, indications, contraindications, and precautions of iontophoresis
    • Applications, indications, contraindications, and precautions of electrotherapy modalities, excluding iontophoresis (e.g., neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), functional electrical stimulation (FES), interferential therapy, high-voltage pulsed current)
    • Applications, indications, contraindications, and precautions of ultrasound modalities
    • Applications, indications, contraindications, and precautions of mechanical modalities (e.g., mechanical motion devices, traction devices)
    • Applications, indications, contraindications, and precautions of biofeedback
    • Applications, indications, contraindications, and precautions of intermittent pneumatic compression
  • SAFETY & PROTECTION — published total per nonsystem 6-8 items — This category refers to the critical issues involved in patient/client safety and protection and the responsibilities of health-care providers to ensure that patient/client management and health-care decisions take place in a secure environment.
    • Factors influencing safety and injury prevention (e.g., safe patient handling, fall prevention, equipment maintenance, environmental safety)
    • Function, implications, and related precautions of intravenous lines, tubes, catheters, monitoring devices, and mechanical ventilators/oxygen delivery devices
    • Emergency preparedness (e.g., CPR, first aid, disaster response)
    • Infection control procedures (e.g., standard/universal precautions, isolation techniques, sterile technique)
    • Signs/symptoms of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse and neglect
  • PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES — published total per nonsystem 2-4 items — This category refers to the responsibilities of health-care providers to ensure that patient/client management and health-care decisions take place in a trustworthy environment.
    • Standards of documentation
    • Patient/client rights (e.g., ADA, IDEA, HIPAA, patient bill of rights)
    • Human resource legal issues (e.g., OSHA, sexual harassment)
    • Roles and responsibilities of the physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, other health-care professionals, and support staff
    • Standards of professional ethics
    • Standards of billing, coding, and reimbursement
    • Obligations for reporting illegal, unethical, or unprofessional behaviors (e.g., fraud, abuse, neglect)
    • State and federal laws, rules, regulations, and industry standards set by state and accrediting bodies (e.g., state licensing entities, Joint Commission, CARF, CMS)
    • Risk management and quality assurance (e.g., policies and procedures, incident reports, peer chart review)
    • Cultural factors and/or characteristics that affect patient/client management (e.g., language differences, disability, ethnicity, customs, demographics, religion, health literacy)
    • Socioeconomic factors that affect patient/client management (e.g., social determinants of health)
    • Applications and utilization of health information technology (e.g., electronic medical records)
  • RESEARCH & EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE — published total per nonsystem 1-3 items — This category refers to the knowledge of basic research methods and data collection techniques necessary for interpretation of information sources and practice research to support patient/client management decisions fundamental to evidence-based practice.
    • Research methodology and interpretation (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, levels of evidence)
    • Data collection techniques (e.g., surveys, direct observation)
    • Measurement science (e.g., reliability, validity)
    • Techniques for accessing evidence (e.g., peer-reviewed publications, scientific proceedings, guidelines, clinical prediction rules)

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