Question 1

To determine the necessity of treatment, the PTA can use functional outcomes or limitations.Identify the correct definition for a functional outcome.

Accepted Answer

A functional outcome is related to the patient's prior level of function (PLOF), the patient diagnosis, the functional limitations, assessment of the referred problem, and the treatment plan. The discharge plan, ability to progress, and medical information would not relate to the functional outcome. The patient's prior level of function would be related to the functional outcome because the therapist would know how much loss of function there was compared to the PLOF.

Question 2

What is an example of a third-party payer?

Accepted Answer

A third-party payer is an HMO, private insurance, Champus, or private pay. CMS and Medicare are the same and are not third-party payers. A PPO is a preferred provider such as the primary care physician.

Question 3

Identify the patient who would receive physical therapy in the educational setting.

Accepted Answer

The patient with Down syndrome who cannot walk (I) would qualify for physical therapy in the educational setting. The person who cannot push his or her wheelchair, the one who cannot communicate without a communication board, and the patient with CP who can walk (I) are not educational reasons for physical therapy services in an educational setting.

Question 4

What does the phrase patient confidentiality mean to the PTA?

Accepted Answer

Patient confidentiality means that only those individuals who are providing direct care of that patient can access the patient's medical records. Even if a person works in the same medical facility or is a family member, physician, or therapist, it does not give them the right to see a patient's records. In addition, the medical records for the patient are not accessible only to the physician and the treating therapist, but also to any medical personnel directly caring for the patient. Families do not have a right to access the medical records without the written permission of the patient.

Question 5

From the descriptions given, identify the patient who could no longer receive physical therapy because it would be considered maintenance therapy.

Accepted Answer

The responses related to the increase in AROM, walking (I) in the house, and transferring (I) can all be addressed with a continuation of physical therapy. The statement related to a lack of progress throughout the certification period identifies maintenance therapy, and such therapy would no longer be covered.

Question 6

There are several ways to correct a mistake made during the documentation process.Identify the incorrect method.

Accepted Answer

The treating PTA should never use a pencil to write a note. All of the note must be in black or blue ink and errors should never be erased. All errors should be left in place with a line through the word and a rewrite to the side or above the error, with the PTA dating and initialing the change.

Question 7

Identify the statement that would be appropriate communication related to the patient.

Accepted Answer

The only statement that could be correct is the referral given by the receptionist. As a representative of the medical facility, this person has the ability to provide such referrals. Anyone not directly treating the patient, such as another employee or family member, cannot be given information about that patient. Information can only be shared through written permission from the patient.

Question 8

It is important for the treating PTA to protect the patient in multiple ways.What is NOT an appropriate protection?

Accepted Answer

The treating PTA must use the proper equipment, file an incident report when appropriate, and provide legal responsibilities to be able to treat the patient. It is also a legal requirement for the PTA to obtain written informed consent from the patient before treatment.

Question 9

Identify the statement that would indicate physical therapy.

Accepted Answer

The only statement that identifies why a patient would specifically need physical therapy relates to the response regarding a (R) CVA and the inability to walk independently. In this case, the patient would need physical therapy to learn to walk again. Just because the patient had a traumatic amputation and will be fitted for a prosthesis next week, cannot understand or speak, and had a SCI does not entitle them to physical therapy. The patient must have some type of functional problem related to the medical diagnosis to warrant physical therapy.

Question 10

Treatment provided by a PT/PTA must meet several requirements.What are they?

Accepted Answer

For treatment to be considered appropriate, it must be medically or educationally necessary for the patient's diagnosis. Being covered by insurance/patient or being referred by a physician, are not requirements for the PT or PTA to provide treatment.

Question 11

When attempting to treat a patient, the patient has the right to refuse treatment.Which statement would be an example of such a refusal?

Accepted Answer

The patient refusing treatment because she was too tired is the best example of treatment refusal. Completing the therapy session and having the therapist return a few minutes later or in 30 minutes do not constitute refusals, but postponement of the sessions.

Question 12

Identify the statement below that would NOT be included in an incident report.

Accepted Answer

The statement that reported the patient slipping off the plinth, but not falling, is the correct answer. The other three answers reported that the patient did fall and did get hurt. By definition, this is something that happened and caused injury to the patient.

Question 13

Identify the correct reason for the provision of physical therapy in an educational setting.

Accepted Answer

The most appropriate response relates to the patient's inability to walk independently from the classroom to the lunchroom. Leg spasms are not necessarily an educational reason for treatment and walking more than 100 feet compared to the last IEP is a goal. Pushing the wheelchair such a long distance would not be a realistic goal for someone in an educational setting or in a wheelchair.

Question 14

When filing an incident report, where should it be placed for review?

Accepted Answer

An incident report should never be kept in the patient's file, the physical therapy office, or the physician's office. The appropriate place to house the incident report it the facility's risk management office.

Question 15

What would be an appropriate statement to include in an incident report?

Accepted Answer

The only statement that would be appropriate to include in an incident report is the statement about the injury to the patient's shoulder. The other examples did not result in the patient falling to the floor or receiving an injury.

Question 16

Identify the appropriate color of ink that is used predominately in legal documentation.

Accepted Answer

Black is the color of choice for legal documentation because it also copies well. Blue ink is also appropriate for signatures. Any other color ink is not considered appropriate.

Question 17

An incident is anything that happens to a patient, employee, or visitor that is "out of the ordinary." Which statement would require an incident report?

Accepted Answer

The statement regarding the patient receiving an injury from a treatment would be considered important enough to file an incident report. Just because the patient did not complain of pain, does not make such a report unnecessary. Activities related to an environment outside the facility or activities where the patient does not actually fall are not appropriate for an incident report.

Question 18

Under the HIPAA Act of 1996, what safeguard should be initiated to protect the patient?

Accepted Answer

All information related to a specific patient must be protected by implementing several safeguards, including only discussing the patient by name in a private setting, not in such areas as a public conference room, hallway, or elevator; ensuring that information on a computer is password protected; and making sure that filing cabinets containing patient information are locked.

Question 19

When taking verbal information related to the patient by phone, it is important to provide all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

It is important when taking verbal information by phone that the time and date of the call, the emotional state of the patient, and the name of the PTA taking the information is listed. It is not necessary to provide the entire medical history during this conversation.

Question 20

Which action reflects an appropriate type of communication?

Accepted Answer

It is appropriate to take referrals by phone from another health care provider who is currently treating the patient. It is not appropriate to provide information related to the patient to anyone who is not directly involved in the patient's care, without the patient's written permission.

Quiz 12: How Does Documentation Relate to Patient Issues?