PTA 117 Foundations of Physical Rehabilitation

5 credits

Describe and implement adaptations to communication techniques, interventions and data collection techniques within the plan of care that are important for providing safe, compassionate and effective care for geriatric patients, and/or patients with specific post-operative precautions

• Instruct patients in weight-bearing status parameters
• Define the levels of assistance provided to patients during functional mobility
• Identify and provide the appropriate level of assistance to a patient during functional mobility
• Effectively provide patient-related instruction to family members and caregivers
• Describe age-related changes in anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
• Discuss psychosocial aspects of aging
• Describe ageism and its potential effects in rehabilitation
• Recognize and report when signs of elder abuse or neglect are present
• Identify assessment tools commonly used by physical therapists with geriatric patient populations
• Administer standardized questionnaires and tests relevant to geriatric patients as appropriate to the role of a PTA
• Discuss the importance of improving balance and reducing fall risk in geriatric patients with increased fall risk
• Discuss reimbursement and supervision issues involved with providing physical therapy services to geriatric patients
• Identify the basic structure and function of selected body systems.
• Differentiate between selected normal human physiologic and pathophysiologic processes of selected body systems
• Identify etiology, pathology, manifestation, treatment and prognosis of pathophysiology of selected body systems
• Describe the physiological mechanisms of injury at the cellular level, including necrosis and the inflammatory response
• Describe the physiology of the tissue repair process
• Identify characteristic signs and symptoms of common disorders and diseases
• Identify the negative effects of immobility on selected body systems
• Identify special considerations for providing safe and effective physical therapy interventions for patients with pathological conditions
• Safely and effectively implement selected components of interventions identified in the plan of care established by the physical therapist including:
  • Infection control / aseptic technique
  • Positioning /draping in the inpatient environment
  • Functional training
  • Bed mobility
  • Basic transfers
  • Assistive device equipment and use for gait and basic transfers
  • Basic wheelchair equipment and use
  • Integumentary protection techniques
  • Application, adjustment, use and care of relevant adaptive, assistive, orthotic, and supportive devices and equipment
  • Motor function training: gait and locomotion training
• Safely and effectively perform components of data collection skills essential for carrying out the plan of care established by the physical therapist including:
  • Interview patients/clients, caregivers and family to obtain current information related to prior and current level of function and general health status
  • Vital signs
  • Pain
  • Posture
  • Assistive devices
  • Gait, locomotion, and balance
  • Arousal, attention and cognition
  • Pain and integumentary integrity
  • Assistive, adaptive, orthotic, protective, and supportive devices
• When providing interventions and associated data collection techniques:
  • Display professional behaviors consistent with the expectations of the physical therapy profession
  • Protect patient modesty, privacy, and dignity
  • Apply current physical therapy knowledge, theory and clinical judgement
  • Consider the patient/client perspective and treatment environment.
  • Provide clear instructions, when educating patients, as directed by the supervising physical therapist  
  • Explain the rationale for selected interventions to achieve patient goals as identified in the plan of care
  • Review health records prior to carrying out the plan of care.
  • Monitor and adjust interventions within the plan of care in response to patient/client status and clinical indications
  • Report any changes in patient status or progress to the supervising physical therapist
  • Identify indications, contraindications, precautions and safety considerations for the patient and determine if the treatment intervention is appropriate
  • Determine when a directed intervention is either beyond the scope of work or personal scope of work of a physical therapist assistant
  • Recognize activities, positioning and posture that aggravate or relieve pain
  • Select relevant information for documentation
  • Prepare and maintain a safe working environment
  • Handle patients using safe techniques and appropriate body mechanics
  • As appropriate to the PTA, maintain and use physical therapy equipment safely and effectively
  • Provide patient centered care