PTA 231 - Comprehensive Pathology of Human Body Systems

1. Integrate prior knowledge of anatomy and physiology, disease pathology, and aging to optimize client/patient well-being and functional independence (CAPTE 7D1, 7D2, 7D3; PG3).

2. Comply with national, state, and local laws and ethical standards (CAPTE 7D4, 7D5, 7D6, 7D7, 7D8, 7D9, 7D10, 7D11; PG4, PG5)

3. Use the ICF to describe a patient’s impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions (CAPTE 7D1; PG2)

4. Describe appropriate interventions to address airway clearance, aerobic capacity, endurance testing, strength, proprioception, etc. as applicable to various pathology (CAPTE 7D2, 7D3; PG1)

5. Recognize medications prescribed to control systemic pathology (CAPTE 7D1, 7D8; PG3)

6. Perform appropriate aerobic capacity and endurance tests to establish baseline when provided case scenarios for patients with systemic pathology (CAPTE 7D2, 7D3; PG1)

7. Identify changes in a patient’s state of arousal, mentation, or cognition (CAPTE 7D1, 7D2, 7D7; PG2, PG3)

8. Identify assistive and augmentative devices used to facilitate patient function, safety, or communication (CAPTE 7D1, 7D7; PG2)

9. Integrate evidence-based interventions to support critical clinical judgment (CAPTE 7D1, 7D2, 7D3, 7D6; PG1)

10. Compare and Contrast etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, interventions, and outcomes of various pathological presentations (CAPTE 7D2, 7D3; PG3).

11. Identify safety considerations and environmental factors that may impact patient performance to ensure optimal patient outcomes (CAPTE 7D7; PG3, PG5).

12. Integrate knowledge of health system disparities and social determinants of health to promote patient-centered care (CAPTE 7D11; PG2, PG5)

Specific Unit Objectives  

Geriatric unit objectives:

1. Describe common functional problems for the elderly and identify practical suggestions for ADL problems.
2. Describe normal and pathological changes in communication experienced among the elderly.
3. Explain the changes that occur in the sensory system with aging.
4. Describe the changes that occur in each of the body systems with age and their clinical implications.
5. Explain the effects of external variables on the elderly population.
6. Define the process of dying and the stages of grieving.
7. Demonstrate skills appropriate for communicating with the dying patient.

Ergonomics and environmental modifications objectives:

1. Explain the role of physical therapy in the workplace.
2. Define ergonomics.
3. Describe a functional capacity evaluation (7D23d).
4. Recognized environmental modifications required to a home or personal workspace to maximize functional and equal participation for an individual with a disability (7D23d, 7D24m).

Adolescence & young adulthood unit objectives: 

1. Describe the psychological and physical developmental changes associated with these two groups.
2. Explain how the developmental changes may affect that person’s physical therapy treatment.

 Pelvic health unit objectives:

1. Describe the possible sources of pelvic pain. 
2. Explain the psychosocial factors that may impact pelvic pain. 
3. Identify signs of physical abuse and describe appropriate notification and intervention procedures. 
4. Define the role of physical therapy in the treatment of this population. 
5. Identify appropriate exercises to improve pelvic floor strength and/or flexibility. 
6. Describe types of urinary incontinence and identify treatment modifications to decrease aggravation of pelvic floor symptoms. 

 Integumentary unit objectives: 

1. Explain the stages of normal healing.
2. Identify components and purpose of a sterile field (7D23i)
3. Describe how to evaluate a wound: size, shape, location, color, tissue, odor, drainage, skin integrity, temperature and limb girth, pain scale.
4. Identify appropriate techniques for wound care: hydrotherapy, e-stim, debridement, medication, dressings, drainage, orthotics/compression, personal protective equipment (7D23i)
5. Explain the effect of a burn on homeostasis.
6. Describe the role of physical therapy in the evaluation and treatment of a burn survivor.
7. Compare and contrast venous and arterial wounds and their appropriate treatments.
8. Utilize the Wagner Scale for Ulcer Classification
9. Identify positions that may aggravate or relieve integumentary stress and pain minimize contractures (7D24f)

 Total joint replacement and arthritis unit objectives:

1. Identify the pathological conditions most commonly associated with total joint replacements
2. Describe the surgical procedure of a total joint replacement.
3. Explain the role of physical therapy in evaluating and treating a person who has received a total joint replacement (pre and post surgery).
4. Integrate an appropriate treatment protocol for a post-op arthroplasty.
5. Explain THR precautions and demonstrate patient education and training.

 Acute care unit objectives:

1. List the equipment that a practitioner must be aware of when working with a patient in an acute care setting.
2. Identify the body systems that must be monitored in the acute care setting.
3. Describe how you would move a patient from the bed to the gym for physical therapy treatment.
4. Explain the role of physical therapy in the evaluation and treatment of this population as well as the various rehabilitation services available in the U.S. health care system. Justify your recommendation of a particular service or services using your knowledge of the patient’s functional status, care needs and responsibilities, financial and social situation.

Amputation, Prosthetics, & Orthotics unit objectives: 

1. Describe at risk conditions for traumatic and non-traumatic amputations
2. Describe the different surgical techniques for a limb amputation.
3. Explain the biomechanical relationship between the residual limb and prosthetic device.  
4. Describe the education involved for hygienic care of a residual limb and prosthetic appliances.
5. Explain the training of the principles of correct bandaging techniques for the residual limb: surgical site inspection and protection, compression, shaping, and desensitization.
6. Explain the role of physical therapy in the pre and post management in surgical amputations.
7. Demonstrate post-op limb care, exercise and stretching.
8. Explain the sequence of events followed for functional training in the use of prosthesis.
9. Identify possible anatomical and/or prosthetic causes for gait deviation and pain (7D24e).
10. Explain the psychosocial changes patients may encounter following loss of limb
11. Demonstrate examination techniques for limb length, girth, and skin integrity.
12. Identify various orthopedic and postural deficits requiring orthosis.
13. Describe contraindications and precautions for orthotic use.

Oncology Unit Objectives:

1. Explain the oncologic pathogenesis from normal cell differentiation to malignancy
2. Identify indications and contraindications of physical therapy for the patient population receiving radiation, chemotherapy, or surgical intervention.
3. Recall movement precautions following mastectomy.
4. Describe the function and dysfunction of the lymphatic system, to include lymphedema
5. Compare and contrast manual lymphatic drainage technique from traditional muscular massage

Metabolic Disorders Unit Objectives:

1. Identify anatomical components of the endocrine system.
2. Describe endocrine system pathogenesis including physiological manifestations
3. Investigate effective physical therapy interventions that can be utilized in the population managing endocrine system pathology
4. Recognize components of risk management and safety precautions for individuals with endocrine system dysfunction

Osteoporosis Unit Objectives:

1. Describe the bone remodeling process
2. Recognize indications and contraindications for physical therapy interventions associated with osteoporosis
3. Relate postural changes associated with osteoporosis to other pathology
4. Design a brief treatment plan using appropriate physical therapy interventions for an individual with underlying osteoporosis