PHTA 1040 - Physical Agents Theory and Practice

Academic Division:

Health Sciences

Academic Discipline:

Physical Therapist Assistant

Assistant Dean: Leesa Cox, MBA, PTA

4 Credit(s)
The course will cover the clinical application of physical agents to be administered by the physical therapist assistant. Included are the presentation of basic physiology and theory of vital signs, patient positioning, body mechanics, transfers, sterile procedures, massage, wound care, heat, cold, hydrotherapy, pneumatic compression, ultrasound, light, and motorized traction electrical safety as well as physiology, theory, and application of ultrasound, various forms of therapeutic electrical stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and biofeedback. Bed traction and patient instruction will also be included. Semesters available: Day - Fa UG

2 Lecture Hour(s);

Required Concurrent Course(s): Take PHTA 1010 , PHTA 1070 PHTA 1040L , PHTA 1040T

College Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Learning Outcome	Assessments - - How it is met & When it is met
Communication – Written
Communication – Speech
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence
Critical Thinking
Information Literacy
Quantitative Literacy

Student Learning Outcomes for Course

Outcomes	Assessments – How it is met & When it is met
1. Demonstrate the ability to accurately assess and record vital signs which, include girth, length, weight, and height measurements in technically correct manner.	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams Lab skills checklist and follow up Practical Exams
2. Recognizes absent or altered sensation, normal and abnormal integumentary changes, activities,positioning, and postures that aggravate or relieve, pain or altered sensations, or that can produce associated skin trauma and viable versus nonviable tissue.	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams
3. Administers standardized questionnaires, graphs, behavioral scales, or visual analog scales for pain recognizes activities, positioning, and postures that aggravate or relieve pain or altered sensations.	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams
4. Adjusts interventions within the plan of care established by the physical therapist in response to patient clinical indications and reports this to the supervising physical therapist.	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams
5. Apply in a technically correct manner, dressings for simulated open wounds.	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams
6. Distinguishes any changes in the patient’s status to the supervising physical therapist	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams
7. Identifies when the direction to perform an intervention is beyond that which is appropriate for a physical therapist assistant and initiates clarification with the physical therapist.	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams
8. Contributes in educating patients and caregivers as directed by the supervising physical therapist.	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams
9. Completes thorough, accurate, logical, concise, timely, and legible documentation that follows guidelines and specific documentation formats required by state practice acts, the practice setting, and other regulatory agencies.	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams by providing a S.O.A.P note
10. Identify purpose and use of pneumatic compression	Written final exam
11. Demonstrate edema control in a technically correct manner	Lab skills checklist
12. Employ in a technically correct manner, athermal agent, biofeedback, compression therapies, cryotherapy, electrotherapeutic agents, hydrotherapy, superficial and deep thermal agents and traction interventions used in simulated patient scenarios	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams
13. Identify and respond constructively and respectfully to various individual and cultural differences, i.e. deafness, non-English speaking, etc. in stimulated patient scenarios.	Midterm and final practical exams
14. Interpret indications, precautions, and contraindications for interventions covered.	Midterm and final practical exams and lecture midterm and final exams
15. Identify and differentiate between isolation techniques and universal precautions	Written midterm and final exams along with lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams
16. Practice principles of proper body mechanics in simulated patient scenarios	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams
17. Apply principles of patient positioning in simulated patient scenarios	Written midterm and final exams along with lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams
18. Explain electrical safety in laboratory setting.	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams
19. Interpret and collaborate with supervising PT when simulated interventions within plan of care are withheld, altered, or questioned.	Midterm and final practical exams
20. Examine and monitor simulated patient response to identified physical agent or intervention	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams
21. Explain and collaborate with supervising PT to determine proper parameters for simulated physical agents or interventions	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams
22. Summarize physiological effects, parameters, indications, and contraindications for identified physical agents	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams
23. Demonstrate technically correct application of identified physical agents, intervention, procedur	Lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exam
24. Collect and accurately record simulated patient response to physical agent or intervention for comparison to patients’ expected outcomes in simulated plan of care.	SOAP note assignment at midterm and final lab practical exam
25. Apply behavior that is consistent with the understanding of laws, rules, ethics, and desired professional behavior in lab and community situations	Written midterm and final exams along with lab mini tests throughout term and midterm and final practical exams

Standard Grading Scale
93-100 A

90 - 92 A-

87- 89 B+

83 - 86 B

80 -82 B-

77- 79 C+

73 - 76 C

70 -72 C-

67- 69 D+

63 - 66 D

60 -62 D-

00- 59 F

Statement on Diversity
North Central State College believes that every student is a valued and equal member of the community.* Every student brings different experiences to the College, and all are important in enriching academic life and developing greater understanding and appreciation of one another. Therefore, NC State College creates an inclusive culture in which students feel comfortable sharing their experiences. Discrimination and prejudice have no place on the campus, and the College takes any complaint in this regard seriously. Students encountering aspects of the instruction that result in barriers to their sense of being included and respected should contact the instructor, assistant dean, or dean without fear of reprisal.

*Inclusive of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin (ancestry), military status (past, present or future), disability, age (40 years or older), status as a parent during pregnancy and immediately after the birth of a child, status as a parent of a young child, status as a foster parent, genetic information, or sexual orientation,

Standard NCSC Course Policies
Important information regarding College Procedures and Policies can be found on the syllabus supplement located at this link