Heating an area of the body generally causes vasodilation lo…

Heating an area of the body generally causes vasodilation locally, and to a lesser extent in areas distant from the site of application.  This distant response can result in a decrease in cerebral blood flow enough to cause a patient to faint during the application of thermotherapy.  The appropriate response from the PTA treating the patient would be to:

A frail 75y/o female diagnosed with a right hip intertrochan…

A frail 75y/o female diagnosed with a right hip intertrochanteric fracture eight weeks status post open reduction and internal fixation with a metal plate and pinning.  The patient currently has pain with hip flexion and abduction.  Using a hot pack is an acceptable modality for this patient.