National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

When should a physical therapist withhold resistive exercise for a patient whose test result shows what?

1. Platelet count of 18,000/mm3

2. White blood cell count of 8000/mm3

3. Hemoglobin of 12 g/dL

4. International normalized ratio (INR) of 1

The correct answer is: Platelet count of 18,000/mm3

Withholding resistive exercise based on specific lab values is crucial for patient safety, especially when considering the risk of bleeding or injury during physical activities. A platelet count of 18,000/mm3 is significantly below the normal range, which typically lies between 150,000 to 450,000/mm3. When a patient has thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), there is a heightened risk of uncontrolled bleeding, especially during activities that could lead to injury or require increased physical exertion. In this scenario, resistive exercise can pose a significant risk due to the potential for trauma or strain that could lead to bleeding complications. Therefore, when a patient presents with such a critically low platelet count, it is prudent for the physical therapist to withhold resistive exercises to prevent any adverse events. The other test results mentioned, such as a white blood cell count of 8000/mm3, hemoglobin of 12 g/dL, and an INR of 1, indicate stable and acceptable levels for safe participation in exercise programs. A white blood cell count of 8000/mm3 is within the normal range, which suggests there's no acute infection or significant immune compromise. A hemoglobin level of 12 g/dL indicates that the patient is