PTA 105LW - Physical Agents I Lab

Credits: 1

1. Utilize appropriate medical documentation to thoroughly document all aspects of patient care.
   1. Correctly identify which category medical information is placed in, within the SOAP note.
   2. Document progress in a clear and concise manner.
   3. Document relevant aspects of the treatment administered including time, position, and intensity of patient response to treatment.
   4. Understand and utilize standard approved abbreviations.
2. Discuss the components of the PT evaluation and how the information is used by the PT to develop the plan of care.
   1. Obtain pertinent medical history prior to treatment either through verbal interview or chart inperpretation.
   2. List significant findings from the PT evaluation that the PTA should be aware of to deliver a safe, effective treatment.
3. Administer the plan of care developed by the PT in a safe, effective manner, protecting not only the patient, but himself/herself (PTA).
   1. Perform proper positioning of the patient to ensure adequate exposure of treatment area, patient safety, modesty, and comfort including positioning for the following body regions and positions:
      1. UE
      2. LE
      3. Cervical region
      4. Thoracic and lumbar region
      5. Supine
      6. Prone
      7. Side lying
   2. Perform proper draping techniques of the patient to ensure adequate exposure to treatment area, patient safety, modesty, and comfort during treatment including draping for the following body regions and positions:
      1. UE
      2. LE
      3. Cervical region
      4. Thoracic and lumbar region
      5. Supine
      6. Prone
      7. Side lying
   3. Describe and demonstrate proper body mechanics in each treatment session.
   4. Perform adequate inspection of treatment area prior to initiating treatment.
   5. Discuss why the inspection of the treatment area is necessary.
   6. Use appropriate methods and standardized tests to measure pain, temperature, and tactile sensations.
   7. Observe and describe continuity of skin color and how these observations impact the plan of care.
   8. Monitor the effectiveness of the treatments rendered based on patient response and notify the supervising physical therapist of any changes in progress or observations.
   9. Utilize assessment information to assist in discharge planning and follow-up care as directed by the PT.
4. Utilize moist heat effectively and safely as directed by the PT plan of care.
   1. Select appropriate size of moist heat pack given a particular body region.
   2. Select appropriate patient positioning and draping for application of moist heat given a particular body region.
   3. Select appropriate number of towel layers to be used with moist heat packs for safe and effective application.
   4. Position moist heat packs on patient with regard to surface contact to maximize effects of heat exchange.
   5. Describe the sensation of moist heat on various body regions and in various positions (supine, prone, side lying) and their effects on that region.
   6. Describe how moist heat can be used at home and various methods for achieving similar effects at home.
5. Utilize cryotherapy effectively and safely as directed by the PT plan of care.
   1. Select appropriate size of cold pack given a particular body region.
   2. Select appropriate patient positioning and draping for application of cold packs given a particular body region.
   3. Select appropriately dry towel or moistened towel layers to be used with cold packs for safe and effective application.
   4. Position cold packs on patient with regard to surface contact to maximize effects of heat exchange.
   5. Describe the sensation of cold packs, ice massage, ice bath, vapocoolant spray and contrast baths on various body regions and in various positions (supine, prone, side lying) and their effects on that region.
   6. Describe how cold packs, ice massage, ice bath, and contrast baths can be used at home and various methods for achieving similar effects at home.
   7. Select appropriate patient positioning and draping for application of ice massage given to a particular body region.
   8. Demonstrate application of ice massage using correct time of application and application technique.
   9. Effectively communicate to patient the process and stages of sensation (cold, burning, aching, numbness) as a body region becomes numb with ice massage and cold pack techniques.
   10. Demonstrate effective application of vapocoolant spray to various body regions.
   11. Effectively communicate the effects of vapocoolant spray to the patient prior to application.
   12. Demonstrate effective application of an ice bath for various body regions.
   13. Effectively communicate the effects of an ice bath to patient.
   14. Demonstrate effective application of contrast bath for various body regions.
   15. Effectively communicate the effects of a contrast bath to patient.

6. Utilize ultrasound effectively and safely as directed by the PT plan of care.

        A.   Properly set ultrasound parameter based on PT plan of care including:
                     1.    Sound head size
                     2.    Intensity
                     3.    Frequency
                     4.    Duty cycle
                     5.    Time
                     6.    Medium used
                     7.    Patient response

        B.  Properly utilize appropriate technique during ultrasound application including:

                     1.    Sound head movement speed
                     2.    Treatment area
                     3.    Ability to respond to changes in patient comfort
                     4.    Ability to adjust medium for smooth sound head movement
                     5.    Ability to protect patient clothing from medium

        C.  Perform and state the rationale for sound head application utilizing either transverse or circular movements

7. Utilize therapeutic massage effectively and safely as directed by the PT plan of care.

        A.  Demonstrate effective and efficient use of each of the following massage techniques:

                     1.    Effleurage
                     2.    Petrissage
                     3.    Friction massage
                     4.    Trigger point release
                     5.    Sub-occipital release

8. Utilize paraffin effectively and safely as directed by the PT plan of care.

        A.   Properly utilize appropriate technique during paraffin application including:

                     1.    immersion
                     2.    dip-immersion

        B.   Effectively communicate the sensation of paraffin to patients

9. Demonstrate understanding of the theory of hydrotherapy and its application in patient treatment.

        A.  Perform hydrotherapy treatments considering patient position, patient mobility and patient comfort with the following equipment:

                     1.    Low boy
                     2.    High boy
                     3.    Extremity tank
                     4.    Contract bath tanks

        B. Effectively communicate the sensation of hydrotherapy to a patient.
        C. Demonstrate effective preparation of a whirlpool for non-invasive injuries.

10. Provide accurate, effective patient education about treatments rendered by a patient.

         A.  Utilize appropriate terminology to explain the following to a patient prior to treatment:

                      1.    Introduction of PTA
                      2.    Summary of treatment session
                      3.    Pre-assessment questions
                      4.    Treatment benefits
                      5.    Treatment plan
                      6.    Termination of treatment

11. Discuss potential legal and ethical issues pertaining to course content.

        A. Describe an appropriate response to each legal/ethical clinical issue discussed in class.

12. Use appropriate action in emergency situations.

         A. Initiate BLS procedures during mock emergency situations.
         B. Participate in mock disaster drills.