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A 58-year-old male is seen in the ED for syncope. His wife reports that she was in the kitchen when she heard him fall on the living room floor. He recalls feeling very lightheaded but remembers nothing more. Upon further questioning, he recalls feeling dizzy on several occasions over the past few months. He has a history of hypertension and a myocardial infarction 10 years earlier. He has since been well and exercises on a daily basis. In the ED, he has a blood pressure of 95/55 mmHg and a heart rate of 30 beats/min. An ECG is obtained (see the following ECG).  ECG1.jpg What is the most important initial step in managing this patient? 

The PTA is seeing Mr. Jones for PT secondary to post-op TKA x 2 days. The patient is on oral pain medication, ROM is 35-74 degrees and MMT 3/5 for available ROM. While working on bed mobility and transfers Mr. Jones complains of light headedness, nausea, and feeling like he is going to pass out. What should the PTA do?

A patient has the diagnosis of  Lupus. The PTA knows Lupus has a wide range of symptoms all of the following are symptoms of Lupus except:

The PTA is seeing Mr. Ruiz 3 days post ORIF of right left neck fracture. The POC calls for Mr. Ruiz to ambulate up to 150′ with SBA and up/down 6 steps before discharge. He has precautions for TTWB only and insist on using axillary crutches he had at home. He often puts too much weight on his right LE and his balance is poor. He lives with his elderly wife who is concerned about his safety when he is discharged. To improve his safety during ambulation what would be the best thing for the PTA to do?

Case: 45 year old patient with R BKA and L knee disarticulation from and on the job accident where he was trapped behind the truck bumper and the wall of a wash out stall. No other internal injuries noted. Patient transferred to in patient rehab once medically stable. PT POC includes patient education, stump care, TE, TA, balance, functional mobility, stump care, and pre-prosthetic training.Of the following, what would be the most appropriate TE intervention plan?

The PT has completed her evaluation by using the “button” test for a patient with RA. Since the patient demonstrated difficulty with the button test, what type of interventions should the PTA include in the treatment session? 

A 78-year old female with severe aortic stenosis presents to the ICU following a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Preprocedural transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated severe aortic stenosis with left ventricular hypertrophy and an asymmetric septal bulge. Left ventricular wall thickness in the parasternal short axis view is 1.6 cm with a small cavity. Postoperatively, the patient develops sudden onset hypotension requiring vasopressor support; however, blood pressure continues to decrease despite escalating doses of norepinephrine. The vital signs are heart rate 94 bpm, blood pressure 85/54 mm Hg, respiratory rate 18/min. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrates an underfilled left ventricle with midventricular obstruction.  What is the most appropriate next step in management?

A patient is transferred to the ICU with a blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg, oxygen saturation of 85%, oliguria, and diffuse crackles. Pulmonary artery catheter readings reveal a cardiac output of 1.9 L/min. and a wedge pressure of 24 mmHg.  Which IV medication is appropriate to prescribe?

A patient being seen for adhesive capsulitis of the right shoulder has completed her exercises and is placed on ice to assist with inflammation and pain. After approximately 5 minutes on ice the complains of pain in her hand. The PTA notes a significant color change in the hand described as red/purple with blanching in the fingers. What is the best course of action?

The inflammation of Ankylosing Spondylitis starts with inflammation in ______________ and will eventually fuse the spine.