Question

A physical therapist may treat a patient for an injury or condition that is the subject of a prior referral if:

A. The physical therapist must notify the original referring healthcare personnel by telephone within five days, or by letter postmarked within five business days;
B. The physical therapy provided must not be for more than 20 treatment sessions or 30 consecutive calendar days, whichever occurs first. At the conclusion of this time or treatment, the physical therapist must confer with the referring healthcare personnel before continuing treatment;
C. The treatment can only be provided to a client/patient who received the referral not more than one year previously
D. The physical therapist providing treatment must have been licensed for one year. The physical therapist responsible for the treatment of the patient may delegate appropriate duties to another physical therapist having less than one year of experience or to a physical therapist assistant. A physical therapist licensed for more than one year must retain responsibility for and supervision of the treatment.
E. All of the above.
F. B, C, D

Answer 1

A physical therapist may treat a patient for an injury under specific guidelines such as notifying the original referrer, session or duration limits, and licensing requirements. The PT must provide appropriate supervision, and develop an effective plan to enhance the patient's physical capabilities and address muscle atrophy.

Step-by-step explanation:

A physical therapist (PT) is a highly trained professional with a master's degree or doctorate, specializing in the mechanics of body movements and often focusing on sports injuries. When treating a patient for an injury or condition previously referred by another healthcare professional, there are certain guidelines that a PT must follow. These include notifying the original referring healthcare personnel, limiting the number of treatment sessions or the duration of treatment before requiring a conference with the referring healthcare professional, and providing treatment only if the referral is not more than one year old. Additionally, a PT must have been licensed for at least one year to provide treatment, although they can delegate certain duties to those with less experience or to a physical therapist assistant. The experienced PT, however, must retain responsibility and supervision of the treatment. An appropriate physical therapy plan involves assessing factors like strength, balance, and endurance, and designing a program to enhance a patient's capabilities, which includes exercises to maintain muscles and prevent atrophy from various causes such as injury, disease, or aging.