NPTE-PTA key terms

Measurement of joint range of motion using a tool called a goniometer. The therapist aligns the device with bony landmarks to record angles in degrees for documentation and progress tracking.

A graded assessment of a patient's ability to contract a specific muscle or muscle group against gravity and manual resistance. Grades typically range from zero (no contraction) to normal.

The subtle rolling, gliding, and spinning motions that occur between joint surfaces during movement. These accessory motions are necessary for full, pain-free osteokinematic movement.

The visible, gross movements of bones at joints, such as flexion, extension, abduction, and rotation. These motions are measured with goniometry and described in degrees.

The quality of resistance a therapist feels at the end of a joint's available range. It can be normal (bony, capsular, soft tissue) or abnormal (empty, springy, spasm).

A characteristic pattern of restriction in a joint where some motions are limited more than others when the entire joint capsule is involved. It helps identify capsular versus noncapsular dysfunction.

A fixed shortening of soft tissue-such as muscle, tendon, or joint capsule-that limits passive range of motion. It develops from immobility, spasticity, or scarring and may require stretching or surgery.

The body's sense of joint position, movement, and force, generated by receptors in muscles, tendons, and joints. It supports balance, coordination, and safe movement, and can be impaired after injury.

Damage to motor pathways within the brain or spinal cord that produces increased muscle tone, hyperreflexia, spasticity, and possibly weakness. It contrasts with lower motor neuron damage.

Injury to the motor neuron or its peripheral axon, causing weakness, muscle atrophy, fasciculations, and reduced reflexes in the muscles it supplies. It may result from nerve root or peripheral nerve damage.

A velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone caused by hyperexcitability of the stretch reflex after central nervous system damage. It can interfere with movement, positioning, and hygiene.

A series of rapid, involuntary muscle contractions and relaxations produced by sudden stretch of a spastic muscle, often tested at the ankle. It is a sign of upper motor neuron dysfunction.

The area of skin supplied by sensory fibers from a single spinal nerve root. Therapists use dermatome maps to screen for sensory loss and localize nerve root involvement.

The group of muscles innervated by motor fibers from a single spinal nerve root. Manual resistance testing by myotome helps identify the level of nerve root or spinal cord involvement.

A life-threatening syndrome in people with spinal cord injury above T6, triggered by a noxious stimulus below the injury. It causes severe hypertension, headache, sweating, and bradycardia and requires immediate action.

The nervous system's ability to reorganize its structure and function in response to experience, injury, or training. It underlies motor learning and recovery during rehabilitation.

Core physiological measurements-heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation-used to monitor a patient's status and guide safe therapy progression.

A noninvasive method that estimates arterial oxygen saturation by measuring light absorption through a fingertip or earlobe. It helps detect hypoxemia but can be affected by poor circulation or nail polish.

The subjective sensation of uncomfortable or difficult breathing. It may occur with exertion or at rest and is a key symptom to monitor during cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Shortness of breath that occurs when lying flat and improves when sitting or standing upright. It often indicates heart failure, pulmonary edema, or significant respiratory disease.

A unit that expresses the energy cost of an activity relative to resting metabolism. One MET equals approximately 3.5 mL of oxygen per kilogram per minute at rest.

A patient-reported measure of exercise intensity, often using the Borg scale. It helps therapists prescribe and adjust activity when objective monitoring is limited or impractical.

A breathing technique in which the patient inhales through the nose and exhales slowly through lips held as if whistling. It helps prevent airway collapse and reduces breathlessness in obstructive lung disease.

A positioning technique that uses gravity to help drain secretions from specific lung segments. The patient is placed in various positions, often combined with percussion or vibration.

Localized damage to skin and underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence, caused by pressure or pressure combined with shear. Staging depends on the depth of tissue involvement.

Thick, dead, leathery tissue that can be black, brown, or tan and firmly adheres to the wound bed. It must often be removed to assess the wound and support healing.

Soft, moist, yellow or white dead tissue that loosely adheres to the wound bed. It can resemble cottage cheese and may be removed by cleansing or debridement.

New, red or pink, moist tissue with a pebbly surface that forms in a healing wound as capillaries and connective tissue fill the defect. Its presence usually indicates healing progress.

Softening and breakdown of skin caused by prolonged exposure to moisture, often appearing pale, wrinkled, and fragile. It commonly occurs around wounds, skin folds, and incontinence areas.

The removal of dead tissue, debris, or foreign material from a wound to promote healing and reduce infection risk. Methods include sharp, enzymatic, autolytic, and mechanical techniques.

A raised, thickened scar that remains within the original wound boundaries and often develops after burns or trauma. It may be treated with pressure, silicone, or stretching.

An open wound caused by chronic venous insufficiency, typically located near the medial ankle. It is managed with compression therapy, elevation, and wound care.

A wound caused by inadequate arterial blood flow, often on the toes, feet, or lateral ankle. It is painful, has minimal drainage, and requires careful vascular assessment before compression.

A warning sign or symptom suggesting a serious underlying condition, such as cancer, fracture, infection, or cauda equina syndrome. It prompts referral or urgent medical evaluation before continuing therapy.

Abnormally low blood glucose, often below 70 mg/dL, causing shakiness, sweating, confusion, and possible loss of consciousness. Therapists should recognize symptoms and provide fast-acting carbohydrate if appropriate.

Swelling caused by accumulation of lymph fluid when lymphatic drainage is impaired, often after surgery or radiation. It is managed with compression, elevation, manual techniques, and exercise.

Basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, toileting, and transferring. Therapists assess ADL performance to plan interventions and determine the need for assistance or equipment.

A standardized tool that rates a patient's independence in self-care, mobility, locomotion, communication, and social cognition. Scores help track rehabilitation progress and plan discharge needs.

A functional test that measures the time a person takes to stand from a chair, walk three meters, turn, and return to sitting. It helps assess mobility, balance, and fall risk.

A structured documentation format with Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan sections. It organizes patient information, clinical findings, therapist interpretation, and the treatment plan.