PTA 114 - Fundamentals of Tests and Measures

Credits: 3
Covers the role of the physical therapist assistant in collecting subjective data, preparing for treatment, communication skills, performing and developing the skills of collecting objective data, and the clinical reasoning process. These tests and measures include mental functions, components of mobility and function, and musculoskeletal examination.

Enrollment Requirement: PTA 104 with a grade of 2.0 or higher.

Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

Describe and provide examples of the interview process, verbal and nonverbal communication and the uniqueness of each patient and their functional status.
Describe and provide examples of how to perform a chart review and gather appropriate subjective information and prepare for interventions and data collection.
Perform goniometry measurements accurately and efficiently of the extremities and document findings.
Perform safe, efficient and effective manual muscle testing skills in the appropriate position with gravity diminished and against gravity.
Describe and provide examples of the grading scale for gross muscle testing, manual muscle testing, and muscle length testing.

Program Outcomes

Implement plans of care developed by physical therapists.
Provide care in a safe, legal and ethical manner.
Instruct patients, families and other health care providers using techniques consistent with the level of the audience.
Transition to successful employment as PTA.

College-wide Outcomes

Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.
Responsibility - Responsibility encompasses those behaviors and dispositions necessary for students to be effective members of a community. This outcome is designed to help students recognize the value of a commitment to those responsibilities which will enable them to work successfully individually and with others.
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning - Quantitative Reasoning encompasses abilities necessary for a student to become literate in today’s technological world. Quantitative reasoning begins with basic skills and extends to problem solving.