National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

What should a physical therapist assistant do if a patient shows signs of infection before manual lymphatic drainage?

1. Increase the warm-up time and modify the exercise to a lower resistance level

2. Continue with the current plan of care with no changes

3. Hold treatment and consult immediately with the supervising PT

4. Continue with the current plan of care for exercises and notify the PT before beginning manual lymphatic drainage

The correct answer is: Hold treatment and consult immediately with the supervising PT

In instances where a patient exhibits signs of infection before undergoing manual lymphatic drainage, holding the treatment and consulting immediately with the supervising physical therapist is the most appropriate course of action. Manual lymphatic drainage is a technique that can enhance lymphatic flow and encourage detoxification. However, if an infection is present, this method may exacerbate the condition by dispersing infectious agents throughout the body or could worsen the patient's overall state. Consulting the supervising physical therapist is crucial because they can perform a comprehensive assessment and decide on the safest and most effective pathway for treatment. This action ensures that patient safety is prioritized and that any necessary modifications to the treatment plan can be made in light of the patient's condition. In contrast, increasing warm-up time or modifying exercise may not address the underlying issues of an infection, and continuing without changes risks further complicating the patient's health. Similarly, proceeding with the plan while only notifying the PT after starting treatment fails to proactively manage the potential risks associated with the infection. Thus, the correct approach emphasizes assessment and collaboration to ensure patient safety.