National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

What should a physical therapist assistant do first upon finding a patient on the floor with an injury and a distressed caregiver?

1. Get the patient off the floor and take vital signs.

2. Call the home health agency and report the incident.

3. Call 911 and leave the patient with the caregiver.

4. Call 911 and the home health agency for medical support.

The correct answer is: Call 911 and the home health agency for medical support.

The correct response emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of the patient in a potentially critical situation. In circumstances where a patient is found injured on the floor, the first priority is to address their immediate medical needs. Calling 911 ensures that professional emergency medical services can assess, stabilize, and transport the patient if necessary. Simultaneously alerting the home health agency is also essential, as they can provide additional context about the patient’s health, coordinate follow-up care, and support the caregiver during the emergency. This dual approach of seeking immediate medical help while also informing the appropriate support system helps to create a comprehensive response to the situation. Addressing the other possible actions reveals their limitations. Getting the patient off the floor and taking vital signs does not prioritize immediate medical assistance from trained professionals who can handle potential injuries effectively. Reporting to the home health agency without calling emergency services potentially delays critical medical intervention. Similarly, leaving the patient with the caregiver while calling 911 does not ensure that the patient receives the prompt attention they may require, which could exacerbate their condition. Overall, ensuring that emergency services are en route while also providing the home health agency with situational awareness is the most prudent course of action in this scenario.