A physical therapist receives a referral for a two-month-old infant diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta. After completing the examination, the therapist discusses the physical therapy plan of care with the infant's parents. The PRIMARY goal of therapy is to:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Promote safe handling and positioning. For a two-month-old infant with osteogenesis imperfecta, the primary goal of therapy is to ensure safe handling and positioning to prevent fractures and injuries due to the fragile bones characteristic of the condition. This is crucial in the early stages to promote proper development and prevent complications. Improving muscle strength and diminishing tone (A) may not be appropriate at this stage due to the fragile nature of the bones. Facilitating protected weight bearing (B) is not suitable for an infant of this age with this condition. Diminishing pulmonary secretions (D) is not the primary concern in this case.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because a T12 spinal cord injury typically results in intact upper extremity function, allowing the patient to use crutches for ambulation with bilateral KAFOs for stability. Choice B is incorrect as a single-point cane is not typically sufficient for this level of injury. Choice C is incorrect as T12 injury usually allows for some level of independence in mobility. Choice D is incorrect as requiring a power wheelchair for community mobility is less likely with a T12 injury.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Terminal knee extensions. This exercise specifically targets the VMO due to the positioning of the knee at the end range of extension, where the VMO is most activated. This helps to strengthen and stabilize the patella. Straight leg raises (A) mainly target the hip flexors. Short arc quadriceps exercises (B) primarily activate the entire quadriceps muscle group. Step-down exercises (C) focus on overall lower limb strength and control, not specifically targeting the VMO. Thus, terminal knee extensions are the most appropriate choice to isolate and strengthen the VMO in the context of patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The primary purpose of performing light palpation during an abdominal examination is to evaluate surface characteristics and tenderness. This technique allows the examiner to feel for any abnormalities in the skin, muscles, and superficial organs. Light palpation is not used to detect deep masses (A), which would require deeper palpation. Organ enlargement (B) is better assessed through deep palpation or percussion. Assessing bowel motility (D) is typically done through auscultation rather than palpation. Therefore, choice C is correct as it aligns with the standard procedure for light palpation during an abdominal examination.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the 'plan' portion of the clinical record typically includes details about the intended course of action for the patient's treatment or management. In this case, providing a referral to a social worker is a specific plan of action to address the patient's needs beyond medical treatment. Choices A, C, and D provide information about the patient's current condition or symptoms, which would typically be recorded in the 'assessment' or 'subjective' portions of the clinical record.