Physical Therapy Modalities
Test Questions
Course Introduction
Physical Therapy Modalities introduces students to the fundamental physical agents and techniques utilized in the rehabilitation and management of various musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. The course covers the physiological basis, therapeutic effects, indications, contraindications, and safe application procedures for modalities such as thermal agents, cryotherapy, electrotherapy, ultrasound, therapeutic massage, and light therapies. Emphasis is placed on clinical decision-making, patient education, and evidence-based practice to ensure optimal and individualized patient care. Students will gain practical skills through laboratory experiences and case studies, preparing them to effectively integrate modalities into physical therapy treatment plans.
Recommended Textbook
Michlovitzs Modalities for Therapeutic Intervention 6th Edition by James W. Bellew PT EdD
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315 Verified Questions
315 Flashcards
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Chapter
Roles in the Patient Care Management Model
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following modalities produces sound frequency ranges that are unable to be heard by human ears?
A) Ultrasound
B) Aquasound
C) Diathermy
D) Vibraphones
Answer: A
Q2) In the patient care management model, therapeutic modalities include the use of physical agents to provide which of the following?
A) Palliative care alone
B) Therapeutic benefits
C) Discharge planning
D) Assessment of patient prognosis
Answer: B
Q3) What type of energy does diathermy use to heat biological tissues?
A) High-frequency sound waves
B) Electromagnetic radiation
C) Compressive and distractive forces
D) Convective currents
Answer: B
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Chapter 2: Cold Therapy Modalities
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following patient responses to cold therapy would lead you to avoid cold therapy in future treatments?
A) Patient reports a burning feeling in the upper limb during ice water immersion.
B) Skin appears red following 7-minute ice massage to the forearm.
C) Light touch sensation is absent in the treatment area following cold pack application to the thigh.
D) Patient's heart rate is increased following cold whirlpool treatment to the lower leg.
Answer: D
Q2) Which of the following statements is true regarding vapocoolant sprays?
A) They are effective in decreasing muscle temperature to allow stretching without pain.
B) They can decrease skin temperature to about 15°C.
C) Multiple clinical trials demonstrate their efficacy.
D) They transfer heat from the body via convection.
Answer: B
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4
Chapter 3: Therapeutic Heat
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Sample Questions
Q1) How does the application of heat to the body cause vasodilation of blood vessels remote from the application site?
A) Axon reflex
B) Release of chemical mediators
C) Increased postganglionic sympathetic adrenergic nerve activity
D) Local spinal cord reflex
Answer: D
Q2) Regarding skeletal muscle blood flow, which of the following statements is true?
A) Increases in blood flow are equivalent with application of either heat pack or exercise.
B) Exercise results in greater increases in blood flow than application of heat pack.
C) Using a heat pack can result in greater increases in blood flow than exercise if the duration of heat application is greater than 30 minutes.
D) Neither exercise nor superficial heat can increase skeletal muscle blood flow, as it is primarily under metabolic regulation.
Answer: B
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Chapter 4: Therapeutic Ultrasound
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Sample Questions
Q1) The optimal coupling medium used to apply ultrasound is
A) Regular tap water
B) Creams and ointments
C) Ultrasonic gel
D) There is no difference between any of these coupling media in terms of the efficiency of transmission of ultrasonic energy.
Q2) Ultrasound (US) creates heat in tissues most likely as the result of
A) Acoustic steaming
B) Stable cavitation
C) Molecular vibration
D) Acoustic reflection
Q3) The relationship between US frequency and depth of penetration is
A) Higher frequency US penetrates deeper than lower frequency US.
B) Lower frequency US penetrates deeper than higher frequency US.
C) Lower frequency US penetrates less deep when compared to higher frequency US.
D) There is no relationship between the US frequency and the depth of penetration.
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6
Chapter 5: Hydrotherapy: the Use of Water As a Therapeutic Agent
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Sample Questions
Q1) Why is the use of whirlpools to treat open wounds no longer recommended?
A) Water causes vasodilation of blood vessels, resulting in increased bleeding of wounds.
B) Loss of body fluids into the water can result in dehydration.
C) There is an increased risk of infection and damage to fragile tissue in healing wounds.
D) Most patients cannot tolerate the mechanical effects of water on their wounds.
Q2) How can excessive edema formation in the hand be prevented during an upper extremity whirlpool treatment?
A) Increase the temperature of the whirlpool to the maximum tolerable to increase venous return.
B) Avoid a completely dependent position and perform active range-of-motion (ROM) exercises during the treatment.
C) Let the hand hang down as much as possible to take advantage of increased hydrostatic pressure at greater depths.
D) Keep the limb relatively still to minimize oxygen demand in the extremity.
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Chapter 6: Electromagnetic Modalities: Laser, Diathermy, and Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following answers includes only contraindications and precautions for diathermy?
A) Metal implants, pacemaker, muscle spasm
B) Over cancerous tissue, hemophilia, over testes
C) Pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, non-acute inflammation
D) Infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), mechanical joint pain
Q2) At thermal intensities, therapeutic effects of diathermy include
A) Promotion of bony healing after total joint arthroplasty
B) Increased collagen elasticity in soft-tissue contractures
C) Decreased amount of adipose tissue in obese individuals
D) Decreased back pain typical during the third trimester of pregnancy
Q3) Why must all external metallic objects be removed in the vicinity of diathermy treatments?
A) Metals can interfere with the flow of electromagnetic waves.
B) Metallic objects will block the transmission of electromagnetic waves.
C) Metals will heat faster than tissues, which may cause burns.
D) Metallic objects will prevent proper positioning of the capacitive plates or inductive drums.
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Chapter 7: Spinal Traction
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Sample Questions
Q1) A recently published clinical prediction rule for cervical traction includes which of the following?
A) Positive shoulder abduction test
B) Age of 50 years or younger
C) Negative upper limb tension test
D) Increased symptoms with manual distraction
Q2) Which of the following is the most important parameter to consider when the goal of traction is separation of lumbar vertebral bodies?
A) Using heat before and during traction
B) Selecting an appropriate force
C) Using the supine position with the legs supported on a small stool
D) Using an intermittent setting
Q3) Clinical effectiveness of traction appears to be best when performed
A) Alone, without other interventions
B) Combined with heat and massage
C) Combined with manual therapy and exercise
D) Combined with ultrasound and epidural injections
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9
Chapter 8: Intermittent Pneumatic Compression
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Sample Questions
Q1) When performing IPC for lymphedema, it is imperative that all health-care providers avoid which of the following for a limb at risk for or with known lymphedema?
A) Movement of non-affected limbs
B) Assessment of blood pressure
C) Deep breathing during treatment
D) Assessment of heart rate
Q2) Which of the following parameters for IPC should be chosen for a patient who has a lower extremity venous ulcer?
A) Slow inflation cycles
B) Long inflation times and slow deflation times
C) Rapid inflation cycles
D) Slow inflation times and rapid deflation times
Q3) Use of IPC for treatment of post-traumatic edema should not be performed during which of the following stages of healing?
A) Acute
B) Subacute
C) Chronic
D) Maturation
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Chapter 9: Foundations of Clinical Electrotherapy
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Sample Questions
Q1) Why does electric current depolarize nerves more easily than it does skeletal muscles?
A) Nerves are closer to the surface of the skin than most muscles.
B) The resting membrane potential of nerves is more negative than that of muscles.
C) The resting membrane potential of nerves is less negative than that of muscles.
D) The neurolemma of nerves is thinner than the sarcolemma of muscles.
Q2) Which of the following statements is true about charge?
A) There are three types of charge: positive, negative, and neutral.
B) Like charges attract, whereas opposite charges repel.
C) Charge is neither created nor destroyed.
D) Charge cannot be transferred between objects.
Q3) What can be done clinically to decrease impedance between the electrode and the skin?
A) Use smaller electrodes to disperse the current over a smaller area.
B) Use electrodes with gel or adhesive conductive agents.
C) Apply a thin layer of dry gauze between the electrode and the skin.
D) Strap electrodes tightly to the skin or place a sandbag on top of the electrode.
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Page 11
Chapter 10: Clinical Electrical Stimulation: Application and Techniques
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following best describes the goal of functional electrical stimulation (FES)?
A) Increased strength of stimulated muscles
B) Facilitation and improvement of purposeful movement
C) Prevention of loss of sensation in neurologically involved limbs
D) Decreased pain to enable functional activities
Q2) What is the relationship between current density and electrode size?
A) Current density is directly proportional to electrode size.
B) Density depends on the intensity of the current and not electrode size.
C) For every square centimeter of electrode there is a twofold increase in density.
D) Current density is inversely proportional to electrode size.
Q3) When using balanced biphasic pulsed current for treatment, what is the correct attachment of the lead wires to the electrodes?
A) The red wire must be attached to the anode and the black wire to the cathode.
B) The red wire must be attached to the cathode and the black wire to the anode.
C) The red wire must be attached to the dispersive pad and the black wire to the smaller electrode.
D) Wire color does not matter for this type of current.
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Chapter 11: Mechanisms of Pain and Use of Therapeutic Modalities
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Sample Questions
Q1) Electrode placement for TENS should be selected based on which of the following?
A) Chronicity of pain
B) The mode of TENS used
C) In accordance with the painful area or over the peripheral nerve responsible for the pain
D) The cost of the electrodes
Q2) ___________ is a form of amplitude modulated alternating current and __________ is a form of burst modulated alternating current.
A) Interferential; Aussie
B) Interferential; brief intense
C) Russian; Aussie
D) Russian; interferential
Q3) Which of the following best reflects the evidence-based recommendations for the duration of a TENS treatment when used for knee osteoarthritis?
A) Less than 15 minutes
B) 40 minutes
C) 1 hour
D) Several hours of continuous stimulation
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Chapter 12: Therapeutic Modalities for Improving Range of Motion
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following best describes the "stretch window," or the optimal time in which to stretch following heating of a tissue?
A) A period of time in which tissue temperature will continue to rise and stretching should be done following this waiting period
B) A period of time in which stretching should be applied, as the change in tissue temperature is likely at peak
C) A period of time in which metabolic activity of the tissues is greatest, thus stretching has the greatest opportunity to increases tissue healing
D) A period of time in which strengthening exercises are recommended due to increased blood flow in the area heated
Q2) Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is thought to impart what physiological effect?
A) An inflammatory response in the target tissues and changes in the viscoelasticity of those tissues
B) Changes in cell membrane permeability to facilitate angiogenesis
C) Hyperpolarization of the peripheral free nerve endings to decrease pain
D) An increase in microvascular blood flow to perfuse injured tissues
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14
Chapter 13: Electrotherapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Sample Questions
Q1) An advantage of NMES recruitment of muscle fiber type compared to voluntary recruitment is which of the following?
A) Activation of slow fibers at higher contraction intensities
B) Asynchronous recruitment of muscle fibers
C) Activation of fast fibers at lower contraction intensities
D) Instantaneous recruitment of muscle fibers
Q2) When selecting a stimulator for NMES, which of the following types of stimulators will be effective?
A) Only large line-powered NMES devices
B) Only portable battery-operated NMES devices
C) Either line-powered or battery-operated NMES devices
D) Any device, including TENS and direct current (DC) devices
Q3) Which of the following is a contraindication for biofeedback?
A) Muscle spasticity
B) Diabetes
C) Peripheral neuropathy
D) There are no contraindications for biofeedback.
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Chapter 14: Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Nmes
and Functional Electrical Stimulation Fes in Patients With
Neurological Diagnoses
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Sample Questions
Q1) Studies have shown that NMES for patients with neurological problems who have muscle weakness
A) May help increase muscle strength, especially in the stroke population
B) Shows minimal improvements in muscle strength
C) Results in significant increases in strength, especially in spinal cord injured patients
D) Shows no improvements in muscle strength
Q2) NMES applied to the antagonist muscle for patients with spasticity will reduce spasticity based on which of the following theories?
A) Reciprocal inhibition of the spastic agonist muscle
B) Recurrent inhibition via Renshaw cells
C) Sensory habituation of the antagonist muscle
D) Facilitation of parasympathetic neurons in the limb
Q3) Which of the following is supported by the literature when performing cycling FES for patients with spinal cord injuries?
A) 10 or 20 minutes every day
B) 30 to 60 minutes three times per week
C) 10 minutes three times per day, three to four times per week
D) 60 to 90 minutes five times per week
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Chapter 15: Therapeutic Modalities for Tissue Healing
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Sample Questions
Q1) What is the purpose of the minimal erythema dose (MED) test?
A) To calibrate the UV light with the wavelength of the skin's radiation
B) To determine the time at which a mild sunburn is produced
C) To determine the depth of penetration of the UV light
D) To calculate the dosage required to raise the temperature of the skin 2°C
Q2) The recommended range of water pressure for pulsed lavage with concurrent suction (PLWCS) is
A) 4 to 15 pounds per square inch
B) 20 to 40 kilograms per cubic centimeter
C) 100 to 150 pounds per square foot
D) 500 to 1,000 grams per cubic meter
Q3) Which of the following is a common clinical mistake when performing NPWT?
A) Debriding the wound prior to treatment
B) Applying contact dressing in touch with the entire wound bed
C) Overpacking the wound with contact dressing
D) Leaving the dressing over the wound for several days
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Chapter 16: Alternative Modalities for Pain and Tissue
Healing
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is a proposed physiological effect of ESWT?
A) Release of myofascial adhesions
B) Cellular electrolyte formation
C) Hyperstimulation analgesia
D) Remodeling of scar tissue
Q2) Clinical application of MIRE requires which of the following?
A) Placement of several layers of towels between the diode pad and the skin
B) Monitoring of the temperature of the diodes to prevent burning of the skin
C) Patient and therapist both wearing goggles during the entire treatment session
D) Placement of a transparent dressing over wounds and diode pad placed on the dressing
Q3) Which of the following best describes extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)?
A) Single-impulse, focused acoustical sound wave that generates a rapid rise in pressure
B) Pressure force originating outside the body that generates electrical shocks
C) Magnetic pulse that drives waves of energy through the corporeal tissues
D) Multiple array of diodes that focuses sound waves into a slowly rising pressure
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Page 18
Chapter 17: Electrophysiological Testing of Nerves and Muscles
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Sample Questions
Q1) Why must the temperature of the examination room be kept at a constant temperature and skin temperature monitored during nerve conduction studies?
A) Fluctuations in temperature will cause patients to be uncomfortable during the test.
B) Decreased temperatures will result in slowing of nerve conduction velocity.
C) Muscle response to stimulation will be altered if the temperature varies.
D) Decreased temperatures will result in faster nerve conduction velocities.
Q2) An examiner performing an NCS on a patient notes that the upper extremity nerve conduction velocities are about 5 to 10 meters per second faster than the lower extremity nerves. What is the correct interpretation of this finding?
A) This indicates a neuropathy affecting only the upper extremity nerves.
B) This is an abnormal finding likely caused by practitioner error in performance of the test.
C) This indicates a neuropathy affecting only the lower extremity nerves.
D) This is a normal finding.
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