A 45-year-old patient with Type I diabetes arrives at physical therapy complaining of nausea, fruity-smelling breath, abdominal pain, and rapid breathing. The patient reports missing insulin doses. The PTA recalls that ketoacidosis typically occurs due to severe insulin deficiency. Which action is most appropriate for the PTA?

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. The PT wishes to implement pain neuroscience education (PNE) into the treatment plan. Which of the following patient education statements would fall in line with this approach?

A student PTA states, “Since we know how HIV is transmitted, there’s no need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with a patient who is HIV-positive.” Which response is most accurate?

A survivor of a house fire is admitted to the burn unit after sustaining burns to the anterior and posterior trunk, the entire right leg, and both arms (anterior and posterior surfaces). Using the Rule of Nines for an adult, what is the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns?

A 52-year-old patient with diabetes mellitus is participating in a physical therapy exercise session. Midway through treatment, the patient reports feeling shaky, lightheaded, and fatigued. The therapist knows that insulin plays a key role in regulating blood glucose by allowing muscle, liver, and fat cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream. Which action is most appropriate for the therapist to take at this time?

A physical therapist is evaluating a patient referred by a primary care physician with a diagnosis of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. During the interview, the patient reports left-sided upper extremity symptoms radiating into the left hand, including pain, numbness, tingling, and sensations of coldness and clamminess. Which of the following statements best describes the most accurate approach for assessing first rib mobility?

A 22-year-old male basketball player presents with excessive lower extremity valgus and difficulty maintaining optimal hip, knee, and pelvic positioning during jumping and landing. On assessment, he over-recruits his hip adductors and has poor awareness of deep core activation. The physical therapist aims to improve his proximal stability by training appropriate core sequencing and pelvic/hip neuromuscular control. Which intervention and cueing strategy most appropriately facilitates correct deep core sequencing?

A patient whose chief complaint is the report of radiating cervical pain into the shoulder and lower arm does not demonstrate a directional preference/centralization with repetitive motions during the cervical spine exam. The physical therapist is attempting to diagnose cervical radiculopathy and knows of a clinical prediction rule (CPR) to assist her. Which of the following is an item that fits within this CPR?

Which of the following is an example of a subjective symptom of cervical instability that a patient might report?

The therapist finds the following test (being performed below) to be positive for reproducing the patient’s symptoms as highly severe and irritable (8-9/10). Based on this information, he attempts to perform some cervical lateral glides with a mobilization with movement (MWM) with an aide. He is concerned about the severity and irritability of this patient’s symptoms, but wishes to perform a “flossing/slider” technique to assist the patient. Which of the following would be the best intervention strategy based on this information?