Deck 7: Physical Agents to Promote Tissue Healing

Question 1

The best way to dry a wet cast is to use a

A)fan set on high.
B)heating pad on a medium setting.
C)sun lamp.
D)hair dryer on a low setting.

Answer 1

hair dryer on a low setting.

Question 2

An ice bag should be filled with small pieces of ice to

A)prevent the application from becoming too cold.
B)allow the bag to mold better to a body area.
C)prevent adverse secondary effects.
D)avoid irritation to the patient's skin.

Answer 2

allow the bag to mold better to a body area.

Question 3

An ice bag is an example of

A)dry heat.
B)moist heat.
C)dry cold.
D)moist cold.

Answer 3

dry cold.

Question 4

Before applying a cast,the area should be inspected for

A)redness.
B)bruises.
C)open areas.
D)all of the above.

Question 5

Heat is often prescribed by the physician for

A)black eyes.
B)osteoporosis.
C)fractures.
D)arthritis.

Question 6

The most frequent reason for applying a cast is to

A)support and stabilize a dislocated joint.
B)align a fracture until proper healing occurs.
C)promote healing after a surgical correction.
D)aid in the nonsurgical correction of a deformity.

Question 7

When explaining the use of a heating pad,the medical assistant should instruct a patient to

A)lie on the pad.
B)use pins to secure the pad in place.
C)adjust the pad to a higher setting if it no longer feels warm.
D)place a protective covering over the pad.
E)do all of the above.

Question 8

Local application of heat results in

A)dilation of blood vessels in the area.
B)decreased blood supply to the area.
C)decreased tissue metabolism.
D)constriction of blood vessels in the area.

Question 9

Which of the following individuals would have a more than usual sensitivity to the local application of heat?

A)Elderly individual
B)Preschool child
C)Patient with diabetes mellitus
D)Patient with an open wound
E)All of the above

Question 10

Extra layers of cast padding should be applied over bony prominences to

A)prevent pressure areas.
B)prevent itching.
C)reduce edema.
D)facilitate healing.
E)do all of the above.

Question 11

Which of the following can cause a pressure area?

A)A cast that is too thick
B)A wet cast
C)A cast that rubs against the skin
D)Resting a dry cast against a hard surface

Question 12

All of the following should be relayed to the patient regarding cast care except

A)elevate the cast above heart level for the first 24 to 48 hours.
B)apply a heating pad to the cast to relieve pain.
C)gently move the fingers or toes to help prevent swelling.
D)do not insert anything into the cast.

Question 13

All of the following help prevent low back pain except

A)sleeping on a firm mattress.
B)having good posture.
C)maintaining a healthy body weight.
D)bending from the waist when lifting an object.

Question 14

Chemical cold packs should be stored

A)at body temperature.
B)at room temperature.
C)in the refrigerator.
D)in an airtight container.

Question 15

The local application of cold may be used to

A)soften exudates.
B)relieve muscle spasms.
C)prevent swelling.
D)increase suppuration.

Question 16

Synthetic casts are usually made of

A)plaster.
B)cotton.
C)fiberglass.
D)clay.

Question 17

The purpose of a stockinette is to

A)prevent pressure areas.
B)provide patient comfort.
C)reduce edema.
D)facilitate healing.
E)achieve all of the above.

Question 18

The time that is usually recommended for the application of heat or cold is

A)10 to 15 minutes.
B)15 to 30 minutes.
C)30 to 45 minutes.
D)1 hour.

Question 19

If a pressure area is not corrected,it may result in

A)infection.
B)paralysis.
C)numbness.
D)crutch palsy.

Question 20

After immersing a patient's foot in a hot soak,the medical assistant should

A)ask the patient how the temperature feels.
B)increase the temperature of the water.
C)add crushed ice.
D)instruct the patient to wiggle his or her toes.

Question 21

A short leg walker can be used to assist in the healing of

A)torn ligaments in the knee.
B)a stress fracture of the tibia.
C)a fracture of the femur.
D)bursitis.

Question 22

After removing a cast,it is normal for the extremity to appear

A)thin and flabby.
B)red and swollen.
C)slightly deformed.
D)shorter than the other extremity.

Question 23

Walkers are used primarily by _____ patients.

A)pediatric
B)prenatal
C)geriatric
D)psychiatric

Question 25

Which of the following gaits is the most stable and slowest crutch gait?

A)Two-point
B)Four-point
C)Three-point
D)Swing-through

Question 26

Which of the following is an advantage of forearm crutches?

A)The patient can use his or her hands.
B)They make it easier to move around in a crowd.
C)They are inexpensive.
D)They fold up when not in use.

Question 27

Which of the following can be used to support and immobilize a fractured wrist?

A)Splint
B)Brace
C)Ace bandage
D)Sling

Question 28

If axillary crutches have been fitted properly

A)the shoulders are bent over the crutches.
B)two fingers can be inserted between the top of the crutch and the axilla.
C)the elbow is flexed at an angle of 45 degrees.
D)the shoulder rest presses lightly against the axilla.

Question 29

Forearm crutches are often used by patients with

A)cerebral palsy.
B)a fracture of a lower extremity.
C)an amputated leg.
D)paralysis on one side of the body.

Question 30

Canes are used most frequently for individuals with

A)an amputated lower extremity.
B)weakness on one side of the body.
C)poor muscular coordination.
D)paralysis of the lower extremities.

Question 31

What is the name of the crutch stance that is used before crutch walking?

A)Two-point position
B)Quad position
C)Four-point position
D)Tripod position

Question 32

All of the following should be relayed to the patient regarding crutch use except to

A)wear well-fitting flat shoes with nonskid soles.
B)support the weight of the body with the hands.
C)take steps that are at a safe and comfortable distance.
D)look down at his or her feet when taking a step.

Question 33

How long does it usually take for a fracture to heal?

A)2 to 4 weeks
B)4 to 6 weeks
C)10 to 12 weeks
D)6 months

Question 34

All of the following indicates that a cast is too tight or that an infection is developing except

A)itching.
B)chills or fever.
C)foul odor or drainage.
D)numbness or tingling of the fingers or toes.
E)fiberglass casts should not be signed.

Question 35

Incorrectly fitted crutches may cause

A)carpal tunnel syndrome.
B)sciatic nerve damage.
C)crutch palsy.
D)tendinitis.

Question 36

Which of the following factors is taken into consideration before an ambulatory assistive device is prescribed?

A)The age of the patient
B)The patient's muscular coordination
C)The type of disability
D)The amount of support required
E)All of the above

Question 37

The three-point gait is used for which of the following conditions?

A)Leg fracture
B)Muscular dystrophy
C)Multiple sclerosis
D)Paraplegia

Question 38

A cane should be held

A)on the strong side of the body.
B)with the cane handle 2 inches above the greater trochanter.
C)on the weak side of the body.
D)with the elbow flexed at a 45-degree angle.

Question 39

Match each definition with its medical term.

A)Ambulation
B)Brace
C)Compress
D)Edema
E)Erythema
F)Exudate
G)Maceration
H)Orthopedist
I)Soak
J)Splint
K)Sprain
L)Strain
M)Suppuration

1.A discharge produced by the body's tissues
2.An overstretching of a muscle caused by trauma
3.A soft,moist,absorbent cloth that is folded in several layers and applied to a part of the body in the local application of heat or cold
4.Walking or moving from one place to another
5.The direct immersion of a body part in water or a medicated solution
6.The retention of fluid in the tissues,resulting in swelling
7.An orthopedic device used to support
8.Reddening of the skin caused by dilation of superficial blood vessels in the skin
9.Trauma to a joint that causes injury to the ligaments
10.The process of pus formation
11.A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal system
12.The softening and breaking down of the skin as a result of prolonged exposure to water
13.An orthopedic device used to support and immobilize a part of the body