Case study patient Carla: Carla is a 19-year-old female who was involved in a rear-end motor vehicle accident (MVA) three weeks ago. Her primary complaints include right-sided temporal headaches and right-sided neck pain radiating into the right upper trapezius and lateral shoulder. She exhibits hypomobility in several cervical segments, including the right atlantoaxial (AA) joint. The Cervical Rotation Lateral Flexion (CRLF) test was positive with the head rotated to the left. The therapist decides to treat the impairments at the right AA joint first. To begin performing the muscle energy technique to increase right cervical rotation at the AA joint, the patient should be positioned in:

A physical therapist is planning to utilize components of Graded Activity with a patient who is experiencing chronic low back pain. What is an example that this PT may include in the patient plan of care?

Case Study Phillip: A physical therapist is treating a 34-year-old male, Phillip, who reports neck pain as his chief complaint. Phillip has experienced this pain for the past 8 years, following a motor vehicle accident (MVA) that resulted in a 2-day hospital stay, 8 weeks of collar immobilization, and several physical therapy sessions. He states that he has “never felt the same” since the accident, describing his pain as constant, with no clear aggravating or easing factors. His pain is diffuse and difficult to pinpoint. Additionally, Phillip is currently going through a divorce and a custody battle for his children. Recently, he underwent an MRI that revealed disc bulging, degenerative disc disease, and foraminal stenosis, with his neck pain worsening significantly. The objective examination is challenging, as he reports pain levels of 8-9/10 and demonstrates empty end-feels during all cervical spine range of motion tests. Phillip flinches in pain whenever his neck is touched or palpated by the therapist. After several sessions, the PT begins to slowly implement activities that Phil is fearful of, such as returning to the gym, to the tolerance of his symptoms. Which of the following interventions is the PT implementing?

Which of the following is accurate regarding arthrokinematic motions at the temporomandibular (TMJ) joint?

Case study Olivia: A patient reports complaints of chronic right-sided temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. She reports that she has been experiencing pain for over 5 months, with concomitant clicking after opening the mouth and a reciprocal click when she closes her mouth. She has been to the dentist, in which they told her to avoid parafunctional habits that can contribute to her symptoms. She reports an increase in symptoms since she started graduate school this fall, with her pain getting up to a 6/10 at worst and 1-2/10 at best most days. In addition to her TMJ symptoms, she also reports chronic neck pain and occasional headaches that are bilateral that occur about 25% of the month. The physical therapist (PT) observes the patient mouth opening looking for overall quality of motion. Which of the following motions would the PT suspect to see with the following diagnosis?

Jasmine, a PTA, is treating a 16-year-old athlete for a sprained ankle. During treatment, Jasmine observes that the patient’s toes on the involved foot are red and peeling, and the patient reports itching that requires Benadryl and discomfort with walking. These findings were not included in the initial PT evaluation. What is the most appropriate action for the PTA?

A 72-year-old patient is in the ICU with a femoral arterial line in place for continuous blood pressure monitoring following cardiac surgery. The PTA is instructed to begin lower extremity range-of-motion exercises. To prevent line dislodgement and life-threatening hemorrhage, the PTA must limit hip flexion during treatment. What is the maximum hip flexion range that is most appropriate for this patient?

Mr. Benson is receiving bedside physical therapy in the acute care setting and requests a sip of water during the treatment session. The medical history reveals significant ascites related to chronic liver disease. Which action is most important for the PT/PTA to perform before concluding the treatment session?

A 52-year-old patient presents to physical therapy with a history of frequent sun exposure. The PTA reviews the patient’s risk factors and asks which form of skin cancer is most common. Which of the following is correct?

Cesarean scar management is important to complete within the postpartum patient population.  Contraindications for completion of cesarean scar mobilization include everything except: