Arizona Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Practice Exam

During a re-evaluation, which aspect of the patient’s status must be assessed?

1. The patient's financial status

2. The patient's progress

3. The patient's employment status

4. The patient's social history

The correct answer is: The patient's progress

During a re-evaluation, assessing the patient's progress is crucial because it provides insights into the effectiveness of the treatment plan and allows for appropriate adjustments to be made. The core purpose of a re-evaluation is to determine how much the patient has improved since the last assessment, including changes in their functional abilities, pain levels, and overall status related to physical therapy goals. Monitoring progress helps the therapist confirm whether the interventions are successful and if the patient's goals are being met. This ongoing assessment is essential as it ensures that the care provided continues to be effective and relevant to the patient's evolving needs. While aspects like financial status, employment status, and social history can be relevant to some extent, they do not directly pertain to the clinical outcomes or progress related to the physical therapy treatment. Re-evaluations focus primarily on the patient's condition and recovery trajectory rather than external factors. Thus, tracking progress is the primary focus during this assessment phase.