New Jersey Physical Therapy Assistant Continuing Education

• Describe the the etiology, incidence and prevalence of CTS and list 5 risk factors
• Identify the anatomy of the carpal tunnel and describe its contents
• Outline, describe and differentiate 3 provocative maneuvers for diagnosing CTS
• List and describe 3 conservative treatment interventions for CTS and the advantages of each technique
• Describe and differentiate open vs. endoscopic CT release along with possible complications

• Define and explore Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Enumerate and differentiate 3 symptoms
• Describe 5 therapy examination tools
• Examine and summarize 3 surgical options
• Outline and examine therapy treatment interventions

• This contains all courses with the educational objectives listed from Breathing Essentials 201 through Breathing Essentials 207

Cardiopulmonary 103:

• Discuss how smoking impacts the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems
• Describe how lung dysfunction leads to cardiac dysfunction
• Describe how cardiac dysfunction leads to lung dysfunction
• Differentiate obstructive from restrictive pulomary pathology and the manifestations of each
• Name 5 factors that precipitate an asthma attack
• List 3 risk factors of coronary artery disease
• Describe the process of artherosclerosis
• Discuss rheumatoid arthritis and its impact on specific organs

Cardiopulmonary 104:

• Identify anatomic structures and key topographic landmarks of the chest
• Describe various chest wall configurations
• Differentiate peripheral and central cyanosis
• Differentiate normal bronchial breath sounds from abnormal bronchial breath sounds
• Identify various components of a chest examination
• List 2 causes of decreased breath sounds
• List the steps involved to ausculatate lung sounds

Hour 1 and 2

• Describe the components of the core and the function of the core.
• Describe the function of the diaphragm as it relates to posture, muscular relationships and stability of the spine.
• Describe the function and structure of the superficial muscle system of the body.
• Describe two concepts of spinal stability. 

Hour 3

• Demonstrate how to determine the length of quadratus lumborum and erector spinae. 
• Demonstrate how to evaluate Transversus abdominus function
• Demonstrate how to facilitate the core and initiate a core training program

Hour 4

• List three pathologies related to less than optimal core function.
• Describe three postural strategies that the patient may develop when the core is in dysfunction.
• Describe how weakness of the abdominals can alter diaphragm contractions.
• Explain how respiratory fatigue can alter core control.

• Define edema 
• List 3 key features of different types of edema 
• Differentiate between different types of edema 
• Examine and explain how to identify different types of edema 
• Describe three treatment approaches for various types of edema

• Identify the goal of professional ethics activity.
• Describe the basic idea of a caring response and some ways this response in a professional relationship is distinguished from expressions of care in other types of relationships.
• Identify three component parts of any ethical problem.
• Describe what an agent is and, more importantly, what it is to be a moral agent.
• Name the three prototypical ethical problems.
• Describe the role of emotions in ethical distress.
• Distinguish between two varieties of ethical distress.
• Compare the fundamental difference between ethical distress and an ethical dilemma.
• Define ethical paternalism or parentalism.
• Describe a type of ethical dilemma that challenges a professionals desire (and duty) to treat everyone fairly and equitably.
• Identify the fundamental difference between distress or dilemma problems and locus of authority problems.
• Identify four criteria that will assist you in deciding who should assume authority for a specific ethical decision to achieve a caring response.
• Become familiar with AOTA and APTA Code of Ethics
• Become familiar with the Guide to Professional Conduct for PT
• Indiana PTs - become familiar with the IN PT Rules and Practice Act
• Texas PTs - become familiar with the TX PT Rules and Practice Act
• Utah PTs - become familiar with the UT PT Rules and Practice Act

The Analysis of Ethical Problems in Professional life

• Identify six steps in the analysis of ethical problems encountered in everyday professional life and how each plays a part in arriving at a caring response.
• Describe the central role of narrative and virtue theories in gathering relevant information for a caring response.
• List four areas of inquiry that will be useful when gathering relevant information to make sure you have the story straight.
• Describe the role of conduct-related ethical theories and approaches in arriving at a caring response.
• Describe why imagination is an essential aspect of seeking out the practical alternatives in an ethically challenging situation.
• Discuss how courage assists you in a caring response.
• Identify two benefits of taking time to reflect on and evaluate the action afterward.
• Become familiar with AOTA and APTA Code of Ethics
• Become familiar with the Guide to Professional Conduct for PT's

Ethics of Confidential Information

• Define the terms confidential information and confidentiality.
• Identify the relationship of a patient's legal right to privacy with his reasonable expectations regarding confidential information.
• Describe how the telling and keeping of secrets is relevant to understanding the importance of confidentiality.
• Discuss the ethical norms involved in keeping and breaking professional confidences.
• Name five general legal exceptions to the professional standard of practice that confidences should not be broken.
• Consider practical options that a professional can take when faced with the possibility of breaking a confidence.
• Discuss some important aspects of documentation that affect confidentiality.
• Compare ethical issues of confidentiality traditionally conceived with those that have arisen because of computerized medical records and patient care information systems.
• Describe the key ethical strengths and challenges of the recent U.S. federal regulations related to privacy considerations (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996).
• Become familiar with AOTA and APTA Code of Ethics
• Review and become familiar with the TX PT Rules
• Read case scenarios illustrating ethical decision making

Informed Consent

• Describe three basic legal concepts that led to the doctrine of informed consent.
• Describe three approaches to determining the disclosure standard for judging that a patient or client has been informed.
• Discuss three major aspects of the process of obtaining informed consent.
• Distinguish "general consent" from "special consent" documents.
• Differentiate between the never-competent and once-competent patient or client and the challenges posed by each in regard to informed consent.
• Compare informed consent as it is used in health care practice and in human studies research.
• Describe some considerations one must always take into account to be sure one is being culturally competent and honoring cultural difference when informed consent is the standard.

Hour 1 - 2

• Understand, identify and describe the significance of the lateral epicondyle and the common extensor tendon
• Explain 3 causative factors that may lead to developing LE
• Identify the main movements or activities that put someone at risk for LE
• Describe the pathophysiology involved in LE
• Describe 5 conservative treatment interventions for LE
• Outline and describe post-operative rehab protocols following surgery and list 3 possible complications
• Discuss what prolotherapy is, what it does, how it works and what the research says
• State 2 indications for surgical intervention
• Outline the basic principles of surgery and list 3 operative techniques
• Discuss research findings and the efficacy of elbow surgery and the efficacy of treatment techniques

Hour 3

• Describe the 3 joints that make up the elbow and explain static and dynamic forces that stabilize the elbow
• Define the boundaries of the cubital tunnel and explain the route of the ulnar nerve as it travels around the elbow
• List and describe the phases involved in throwing and how this activity places stress on the medial aspect of the elbow
• List and describe 5 conditions that produce medial-sided elbow pain including presenting signs and symptoms and how each condition is diagnosed
• Consider differential diagnosis and list 2 conditions that result in anterior, posterior and lateral elbow pain

• Define lymphedema 
• Summarize the 4 components of complete decongestive therapy (CDT) 
• Recite 3 indications for CDT 
• Recall 3 contraindications for CDT 
• Explain the course of treatment for lymphedema with CDT

• This contains all courses with the educational objectives listed from Physical Diagnosis 166 through Physical Diagnosis 169

• Compare the difference between angular and linear motion.
• List the limiting factors necessary for stability in respect to linear motion.
• List and describe the function of the limiting structures of the atlantooccipital joint and the atlantoaxial joint.
• Describe the path of the vertebral artery from the subclavian artery to the basilar artery
• List the three types of Atlantooccipital fractures.
• Describe five diseases that may compromise the stability of the cervical region and how.
• List and elaborate on the immune specific diseases that can affect the atlantoaxial joint.
• Summarize the normal growth of the cervical spine and craniovertebral region in children.
• Outline the details of IFOMPT Framework for Red Flags.
• Demonstrate three stability tests of the cervical region and interpret the results.
• Demonstrate a neurological scan to clear spinal cord and neurological dysfunction in the cervical spine.
• Apply a vigorous mandatory scan for all patients to rule out serious pathology of the cervical spine and the neurological system and be able to interpret the results.

• Enumerate three physical / clinical examination findings associated with rupture of the quadriceps tenon.
• List 3 patient specific factors that need to be considered when following a rehabilitation program following repair of the quadriceps or patella tendon.
• Recall three goals during phase 1 (0-2 weeks) of a rehabilitation program following repair of the quadriceps or patella tendon.
• Identify three goals during phase 3 of a rehabilitation program following repair of the quadriceps or patella tendon.
• Cite five return to play criteria that need to be met following repair of the quadriceps or patella tendon.

Part I:

• Briefly outline the 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga 
• Enumerate classification of asanas 
• List 5 benefits of asanas or yogic postures 
• Understand the application of asanas with therapy 
• List 5 Asanas for low back pain 
• List 3 Asanas for hip stretches 
• Name 5 poses/ asanas for upper extremity strengthening 
• Recite contraindications for all poses