ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Version 7ReadingEasy
A student is reviewing a patient's chart entry from a physical therapy session: "Pt. presents with R shoulder pain, ROM limited to 90 deg flexion, 45 deg abduction. Strength 4/5 R deltoid. Pain 6/10 with movement. Modalities: US to R shoulder x 10 min. Therapeutic Exercises: Pendulum exercises, wall slides, external rotation with band (3 sets of 10 reps each). Home Exercise Program (HEP) given. Pt. tolerated session well. Plan: Continue PT 2x/wk for 4 wks. Re-evaluate in 2 wks." Which of the following interventions was performed during this physical therapy session?
- AApplication of ultrasound therapy to the right shoulder.
- BSurgical repair of the right shoulder.
- CAdministration of oral pain medication.
- DA comprehensive re-evaluation of the patient's shoulder.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Application of ultrasound therapy to the right shoulder.
The entry explicitly states 'Modalities: US to R shoulder x 10 min', where 'US' is the common abbreviation for ultrasound, indicating that ultrasound therapy was applied.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The entry describes physical therapy interventions, not surgical procedures. 'Surgical repair' is a highly invasive treatment not performed by a physical therapist.
- C. The entry mentions 'Pain 6/10' but does not indicate any medication administration by the physical therapist, which is typically outside their scope of practice for oral medications.
- D. The plan states 'Re-evaluate in 2 wks', meaning a comprehensive re-evaluation was not performed *during* this session, but is scheduled for the future.
Interpreting PT Documentation
Understanding the abbreviations and structure of physical therapy notes to identify patient status, interventions, and plans of care.
- Uses SOAP or similar structured formats.
- Abbreviations are common for efficiency.
- Focuses on functional movement and rehabilitation.
Memory trick: PT Plan: What Did They DO Today?