Question 1

Identify the statement that would indicate a need for physical therapy.

Accepted Answer

The patient's inability to walk independently after a cerebrovascular accident indicates a need for physical therapy to help them regain strength and mobility.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

HIPAA requires that patient information be kept confidential and only disclosed on a need-to-know basis. Discussing patient information in public areas can compromise the patient's privacy. Therefore, it is important to never discuss the patient by name in a public room, hallway, or elevator and to take steps to ensure that conversations related to the patient are conducted in a private setting. Options A and B are incorrect as they do not provide any safeguard, in fact they increase the risk of unauthorized access to patient information. Option C is not a safeguard and does not provide confidentiality to the patient's information.

Question 3

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 4

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

Accepted Answer

Physical therapy in an educational setting is provided to help students access and participate in their educational environment. The inability to walk from the classroom to the lunchroom directly impacts the student's ability to participate in school activities, making it a relevant reason for providing physical therapy.

Question 5

What does the phrase patient confidentiality mean to the PTA?

Accepted Answer

Patient confidentiality means that only those directly involved in the patient's care and treatment (such as the treating therapist) are allowed access to the patient's medical records. This is to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the patient's medical information. Access to the records should only be granted on a need-to-know basis.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Black ink is the appropriate color used predominately in legal documentation as it is considered to be easily legible and the most professional.

Question 7

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 clearly stated that she does not want to receive treatment today, which is a refusal of treatment. The other options do not indicate a refusal of treatment. Option A indicates completion of therapy and then a request to not do any exercises, Option B indicates a delay in treatment due to medication timing, and Option D indicates a request for treatment after a specific event (in this case, a bath).

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

According to Medicare guidelines, physical therapy can only continue if the patient is making measurable progress. Since the patient in choice A did not make measurable progress, they would no longer be able to receive physical therapy. The other choices do not indicate whether or not the patient is making progress, so they cannot be identified as the patient who could no longer receive physical therapy.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Not obtaining informed consent is not an appropriate way to protect the patient. It is important for the treating PTA to obtain informed consent from the patient before carrying out any interventions or treatments. This ensures that the patient is aware of the potential risks and benefits of the treatment and can make an informed decision about their care. Failure to obtain informed consent can lead to legal and ethical issues. A, B, and C are all appropriate ways to protect the patient, including the use of appropriate equipment, proper use of incident reports to report any adverse events or incidents, and understanding the legal responsibilities of the treating PTA.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Treatment provided by a PT/PTA must be medically or educationally appropriate, meaning it must be based on the patient's diagnosis and current functional limitations. Insurance coverage and referral by a primary care physician are not necessarily requirements, as some patients may choose to pay for therapy out-of-pocket or may see a PT/PTA directly without a physician referral in states that allow it. Coverage by the patient or referral by a family physician are not relevant requirements.

Question 11

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 to provide the time and date of the call, a statement regarding the emotional state of the patient, and the name of the PTA taking the information. However, it is not necessary to provide the patient's entire medical history over the phone. This information should be obtained through the appropriate channels and verified with the patient in person.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Option C provides appropriate communication related to the patient without violating any privacy laws. It only shares relevant information about the patient's next appointment, without disclosing any personal medical information. Options A, B, and D are all examples of inappropriate communication that could potentially violate patient privacy.

Question 13

Which action reflects an appropriate type of communication?

Accepted Answer

Taking verbal phone referrals for physical therapy is an appropriate type of communication as it involves exchanging necessary information related to patient care between healthcare providers.

Answer: B
 Providing medical information to another therapist who is not seeing the patient can be appropriate but only if there is a proper reason or need for the information exchange and if the patient has given permission for the same. Otherwise, it can be a violation of patient privacy and confidentiality.

Answer: C
 Providing information to the patient's neighbor is not appropriate as it violates patient privacy and confidentiality.

Answer: D
 Telling the patient's aide information about the patient's progress can be appropriate but only if the patient has given permission for the same and if the aide is directly involved in the patient's care. Otherwise, it can be a violation of patient privacy and confidentiality.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Incident reports should be placed in a separate file with risk management. This allows for confidentiality and proper handling of sensitive information related to the incident. Placing it in the patient's chart or physician's patient file may compromise patient privacy, and placing it in the physical therapy administration office may not ensure proper handling and follow-up.

Question 15

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 16

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

Accepted Answer

The statement about Mrs. Smith slipping but not falling down would not be included in an incident report, as incident reports are typically used to document actual injuries or accidents that occur. Since Mrs. Smith did not fall and was not injured, this would likely not be reported as an incident. The other statements all describe actual incidents where a patient fell, hit their head, or tripped and fell.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Functional outcomes are related to the patient's prior level of function and are used to determine the effectiveness of treatment. They focus on the patient's ability to perform daily activities and tasks, such as walking, dressing, and eating, as compared to their baseline level prior to injury or illness. A is incorrect as discharge plans are not necessarily functional outcomes. B is incorrect as functional outcomes can relate to both progress and baseline function. D is incorrect as functional outcomes are not related to the patient's medical information.

Question 18

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 19

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

Accepted Answer

In an educational setting, physical therapy is typically provided to students who have physical disabilities or impairments that affect their ability to participate in academic and related activities. Patients with cerebral palsy who can walk may benefit from physical therapy, but it is not the primary factor in determining whether or not they receive services in an educational setting. Patients who cannot push their wheelchair or who have communication difficulties may require other types of supportive services, such as occupational therapy or speech therapy. However, a patient with Down syndrome who cannot walk may require physical therapy to help improve their mobility and independence, making them more likely to receive services in an educational setting.

Question 20

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.

Quiz 7: How Does Documentation Relate to Patient Issues