Introduction to Physical Agents for Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Which is an aspect of central sensitization?
• Which of the following is NOT a major purpose of the proliferative phase?
• What term describes the transfer of heat to or from the body?
• Which of the following lists the five pain characteristics? (new option)
• TENS is primarily used for which purpose?
• Which statement describes the response to cartilage injuries?
• Which of the following is NOT a cardinal sign of inflammation?
• Which fiber type transmits fast, sharp pain?
• Non-thermal ultrasound effects include:
• What is the general purpose of hydrotherapy in PTA practice?
• What are the primary physiological effects of superficial heat therapy?
• What is the typical force range for cervical traction initially?
• Which of the following is a contraindication to therapeutic ultrasound?
• Which of the following is considered an adverse effect of cryotherapy?
• Which of the following are indications for spinal traction?
• Epithelialization during the proliferation phase is described as:
• Healing can be enhanced with what intervention?
• Which of the following is a pain scale used to measure pain intensity?
• List two contraindications to thermotherapy.
• Which outcome is commonly associated with injury to a synovial sheath of a tendon?
• Which of the following is a potential adverse effect of thermotherapy?
• What does ERA stand for in ultrasound therapy?
• Which safety checks should be performed prior to applying any modality?
• Iontophoresis involves what type of drug movement through the skin?
• Which are common contraindications to diathermy?
• Chronic inflammation results in which of the following?
• How can a modality be modified for an older adult?
• Chronic inflammation is caused by which condition?
• What two outcomes does sensory testing reduce in physical therapy practice?
• Which of the following lists the five pain characteristics?
• A common indication for thermotherapy is:
• A-beta fibers convey non-nociceptive input such as vibration and stretch. Which option correctly describes this?
• What is the typical depth reached by superficial cryotherapy?
• Which of the following is NOT an effect of PAM?
• What is traction used for in physical therapy?
• Which statement is NOT true about conduction?
• Which of the following is a common indication for cryotherapy in physical therapy?
• Peripheral sensitization occurs when persistent noxious stimuli result in which of the following?
• Which of the following is a contraindication to electrical stimulation?
• Iontophoresis is used to deliver which type of medications through the skin?
• In the absence of other skilled therapeutic or educational interventions, should physical agents be considered part of physical therapy?
• What is the role of dosage and intensity in modality effectiveness?
• Which phase follows inflammation and focuses on tissue proliferation and formation of new tissue?
• Which statement correctly differentiates hydrotherapy from aquatic therapy?
• Which of the following is NOT part of sensory testing for heat/cold modality?
• How should electrode placement for NMES or TENS be performed to maximize safety and effectiveness?
• Which of the following is NOT an adverse effect of thermotherapy?
• Temporal changes in pain refer to changes over what?
• In the context of pain assessment, which term describes how pain is distributed across the body?
• How long is a typical session with a warm moist heat pack?
• What should you inspect before applying any electrical modality?
• Which depth is considered superficial thermotherapy?
• During the proliferation phase, fibroblasts primarily produce which type of collagen?
• The resulting scar of the maturation phase is how strong compared to the original?
• Which statement best describes the cellular response to inflammation?
• Nociception refers to neural encoding of noxious stimulation. Which option is correct?
• What are safe practices when using therapeutic ultrasound near metal implants?
• Superficial thermotherapy is defined as a therapeutic application of heat less than an inch deep. What are the four primary effects?
• Which of the following is a contraindication for cryotherapy?
• What are the basic ultrasound parameters a PTA must know?
• Which of the following is a precaution when applying cryotherapy?
• Ligament tissue is how much weaker after injury?
• Which statement describes the clinical indications for thermotherapy?
• Which of the following is NOT part of sensory testing for light touch?
• How does ultrasound produce thermal vs non-thermal effects?
• Which of the following is a contraindication/precaution for physical agents due to implanted electronics?
• Conduction involves energy exchange with direct contact of two materials of different temperatures. What additional effect is associated with high thermal conductivity materials?
• Which of the following is a contraindication to traction?
• What is the recommended technique for ice massage?
• How long does the proliferation phase of wound healing typically last?
• What is a key consideration to avoid burns when using ultraviolet therapy?
• Which systems are affected by superficial cryotherapy?
• Which are the overlapping phases of healing?
• What does it mean to validate tolerance when using electrical stimulation?
• What is the difference between a contraindication and a precaution?
• A common contraindication to electrical stimulation includes which of the following?
• Which option is NOT one of the five modes of thermal agents?
• The inflammation phase begins when normal physiology of tissue is altered by disease/trauma.
• What is the purpose of body diagrams in pain assessment?
• Which of the following is NOT a typical use of laser therapy?
• Shortwave and microwave refer to which therapy form?
• In tendon healing, which event occurs in the first 4 days?
• Which statement best describes how ultrasound duration should relate to tissue depth?
• Which of the following is an adverse effect to monitor during therapeutic ultrasound?
• In maturation, collagen remodeling involves which process?
• Which statement explains why cartilage healing is limited?
• What is ultraviolet therapy used for in physical therapy, and what is important about its dosing?
• Which statement best describes continuous ultrasound?
• What drives wound contraction during the proliferation phase?
• Which statement is true about radiation in thermal therapy?
• Which of the following are the three types of physical agent modalities?
• Which of the following is a contraindication to thermotherapy?
• Which pain scale uses facial expressions to help indicate pain intensity?
• Which documentation item records the region targeted during a modality session?
• Nociception refers to neural encoding of noxious stimulation. Which option correctly describes nociception?
• What is infrared therapy and when is it used?
• Before applying electrical modalities, which item is NOT typically assessed?
• Pain is not always a reliable indicator of what?
• Which factor necessitates close monitoring for safety during modalities in older adults?
• What term describes energy and materials applied to patients to assist in their rehabilitation?
• In ultrasound terminology, ERA stands for:
• What waveform and parameters are typical for NMES in strengthening?
• Which statement is true about paraffin therapy technique?
• Which item is NOT typically recorded when documenting ultrasound dosage?
• Endogenous opioid theory posits what action?
• Which dimension of pain describes how the patient feels emotionally about pain?
• Nociceptors are activated by which stimuli?
• What is the standard ultrasound duration for small treatment areas?
• During remodeling, how does collagen change to increase tissue strength?
• Which sequence describes the vascular response during inflammation?
• Which fibre type’s pain is not blocked by opioids?
• Which of the following is an adverse effect of cryotherapy?
• Which guideline helps ensure safe and effective NMES/TENS electrode placement?
• During tendon healing, how does new collagen align during remodeling?
• Chronic pain is generally defined as pain lasting how long or more?
• Which of the following is NOT a documented component for superficial cold/hot modalities?
• Which of the following is NOT an adverse effect commonly associated with cryotherapy?
• During tendon healing, when does collagen synthesis begin?
• Which pain assessment component includes how pain affects mood?
• Chemotaxis is the ability of what to do?
• Which of the following is NOT an effect of PAM?
• Laser therapy is typically used to treat which musculoskeletal conditions?
• What is recommended when applying hot packs?
• The RICE principle is used in the initial management of acute injuries and stands for which of the following?
• Which of the following is a component used to assess pain?
• During ultrasound therapy, why should direct treatment over metal implants be avoided?
• What is the importance of ongoing patient monitoring during modality application?
• Which of the following is a general contraindication for physical agents?
• What is the general sequence for incorporating modalities into a treatment session?
• Which of the following is NOT a major purpose of the inflammatory phase?
• Which statement best describes gate control theory of pain?
• Which statement best captures central sensitization?
• Which of the following is an indication for cryotherapy?
• Which safety practice is most appropriate when using electrical stimulation with a patient who has sensory impairment?
• Acute pain lasts less than how many days?
• Which statement about convection is NOT true?
• Which thermal mode involves a phase change to transfer heat without direct contact?
• Which paraffin therapy step is correctly described?
• In ultrasound therapy, ERA helps determine which aspects of treatment planning?
• What are the primary physiological effects of cryotherapy on soft tissue?
• What is the purpose of using pulsed ultrasound (non-thermal effects)?
• What is a typical treatment duration for therapeutic ultrasound for small versus large areas?
• Which statement is NOT a documentation component for superficial cold/hot modalities?
• What adjustment should be made when applying cryotherapy over a bandage or cast?
• What is the first step described in the four steps of the inflammatory response?
• Which documentation item records the treatment duration and parameters?
• Which scenario would best indicate using cervical traction?
• Which cell type is most associated with chronic inflammation leading to tissue remodeling?
• In the SOAP notes, which component specifies the continuation or modification of treatment?
• Epithelialization during the proliferative phase occurs when?
• Which statement about conversion as a thermal mode is true?
• In the typical treatment-session sequence, what is the step immediately after performing exercise or manual therapy?
• Which statement is NOT an appropriate patient education point for heat application?
• How long is a typical cold pack treatment?
• When determining the dosage for cryotherapy or thermotherapy, which factors should be considered?
• During remodeling, which change increases tissue strength?
• Which factor is a determinant of healing in musculoskeletal tissues?
• Cryotherapy after injury is used for which purpose?
• Why is patient education important before using modalities?
• Which statement best defines evaporation?
• What is the typical force range for lumbar traction?
• In the hemostatic response of inflammation, which component provides tensile strength by forming a clot and fibrin lattice?
• Which statement best describes radiation as a mode of heat transfer?
• Which statement describes NOT a possible outcome of the healing phases?
• Open wounds with infection are contraindications to which therapy?
• When does maturation/remodeling last?
• What is NMES used for?
• In bone healing, which stage follows the inflammation phase?
• During maturation/remodeling, how is collagen organization in scar tissue affected?
• Why is cartilage healing limited?
• Which evaluation data should guide modality selection?
• What is a semantic differential scale used for?
• Which condition requires caution when applying cryotherapy?
• Which is a cardinal sign of inflammation?
• Elastin presence in scar tissue is described as which of the following?
• In injuries to cartilage and subchondral bone, which sequence occurs?
• Which statement best describes the location and activation of nociceptors?
• Which statement about a cold compression unit is true?
• Which documentation item describes the type of cooling/heating agent used?
• Which statement best describes C fiber mediated pain?
• Where is the first site in the central nervous system where pain signals are integrated?
• Lumbar traction force may be up to approximately what percent of body weight?
• A-delta fibers are associated with which trait?
• During sensory testing for light touch, which statement is true?
• Which sensations should be reported by a patient during cold application?
• Which is one of the four steps of critical thinking for PAM?
• Which statement about continuous ultrasound is true?
• Which statement correctly describes acute inflammation characteristics as described in the material?
• A typical contraindication to hydrotherapy/whirlpool?
• What is the recommended duration for a cold pack application?
• Activation of the complement system causes which effects?
• In the SOAP format for daily treatment notes, which component corresponds to the pre-treatment status and interventions?
• Name two major contraindications to cryotherapy.
• Which of the following is NOT an indication for spinal traction?
• What is the purpose of inflammation?
• Which patient factors influence modality choice and dosing?
• Healing of ligaments is similar to healing of which tissue?
• What happens during the maturation/remodeling phase?
• Which statement accurately describes ultrasound non-thermal effects?
• What do monocytes do after leaving capillaries and entering tissues?
• When documenting ultrasound dosage, which items should be recorded?
• How does skeletal muscle heal when mature muscle cells cannot proliferate?
• What is the purpose of documentation when using a modality?
• Diathermy is best described as:
• C fiber mediated pain is commonly associated with which autonomic signs?
• Which describes granulation tissue formation in the proliferation phase?
• The immune response in inflammation is mediated by which factors?
• Neovascularization during the proliferation phase is best described as:
• Which sequence lists the four stages of bone healing?
• When applying a vapocoolant spray, how should the spray be applied?