NPTE flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Orthostatic hypotension criteria

A systolic drop of at least 20 mm Hg or diastolic drop of at least 10 mm Hg within three minutes of standing.

Valsalva maneuver effect

It raises intrathoracic pressure, reduces venous return to the heart, and can produce transient hypotension, dizziness, or syncope.

Cor pulmonale cause

Chronic hypoxemia from lung disease causes pulmonary vasoconstriction and increased right ventricular workload, leading to right heart failure.

Anemia exercise response

Reduced oxygen-carrying capacity triggers compensatory tachycardia and dyspnea during exertion because tissues receive less oxygen per unit of blood.

TTWB weight bearing

Toe-touch weight bearing allows only the toes to touch the floor for balance, with essentially no meaningful weight through the involved limb.

Gait belt placement

A gait belt is secured around the patient's waist over clothing and used to guide or stabilize the trunk during transfers and walking.

Seizure first aid

Protect the head, clear dangerous objects, do not restrain the person or place objects in the mouth, and position on the side after the seizure.

Universal precautions

Use gloves for contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or nonintact skin, and perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact.

Sharps disposal rule

Do not recap needles; place used needles and other sharp items directly into a puncture-resistant, labeled sharps container.

Informed consent elements

Disclosure of diagnosis, proposed intervention, risks, benefits, alternatives, and the patient's right to refuse or withdraw consent.

Negligence four elements

A plaintiff must establish duty, breach of that duty, causation, and damages to prove professional negligence.

PT aide delegation

Physical therapist aides may perform non-skilled tasks, but the supervising therapist retains responsibility and must follow state practice act limits.

HIPAA minimum necessary

Disclosures for treatment, payment, or operations should include only the minimum protected health information needed for that specific purpose.

Sensitivity formula

Sensitivity equals true positives divided by true positives plus false negatives; it is the proportion of people with disease who test positive.

Specificity formula

Specificity equals true negatives divided by true negatives plus false positives; it is the proportion of people without disease who test negative.

Number needed to treat

NNT equals one divided by the absolute risk reduction; it estimates how many patients must be treated for one additional favorable outcome.

Odds ratio formula

For a 2x2 table, the odds ratio equals ad divided by bc, comparing odds of exposure in cases with odds in controls.

P value meaning

The p value is the probability of obtaining results at least as extreme as observed if the null hypothesis is true; it does not measure effect size.

Ottawa ankle rules

Ankle radiography is indicated with malleolar pain plus bony tenderness at the posterior malleoli or inability to bear weight for four steps.

Capsular pattern of hip

The hip capsular pattern is greatest limitation in internal rotation, followed by flexion, abduction, and extension.

ACL function

The anterior cruciate ligament resists anterior translation of the tibia on the femur and provides rotational stability to the knee.

Trendelenburg sign

The pelvis drops on the contralateral side during single-leg stance, indicating weakness of the stance-side hip abductors, especially gluteus medius.

Sprain versus strain

A sprain is an injury to a ligament, while a strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon.

Upper motor neuron signs

Upper motor neuron lesions produce hyperreflexia, spasticity, Babinski sign, and clonus, unlike lower motor neuron lesions with atrophy and areflexia.

Dermatome C7

The C7 dermatome covers the middle finger; C6 covers the thumb and C8 covers the little finger.

Glasgow Coma Scale range

The Glasgow Coma Scale sums eye opening, verbal response, and motor response for a total score from 3 to 15.

Autonomic dysreflexia action

Sit the patient upright, loosen tight clothing, and identify and remove the noxious stimulus such as a full bladder or bowel impaction.

Spinal shock features

After spinal cord injury, spinal shock causes flaccid paralysis, absent reflexes, and loss of sensation below the lesion, resolving over weeks.

Cardiac output formula

Cardiac output equals heart rate multiplied by stroke volume; normal resting cardiac output is approximately four to eight liters per minute.

MET definition

One metabolic equivalent equals 3.5 milliliters of oxygen per kilogram per minute, the approximate resting oxygen consumption.

Obstructive PFT pattern

An obstructive pattern shows a reduced FEV1/FVC ratio, typically below 0.70, with air trapping and prolonged expiration.

Intermittent claudication

Exertional calf or thigh pain from peripheral arterial disease that resolves with rest and is associated with diminished pulses and dependent rubor.