KEISER UNIVERSITY
Course Control Document
COURSE TITLE:
COURSE NUMBER:
PREREQUISITES:
CREDIT HOURS:
CONTACT HOURS:
LECTURE/CREDIT
HOURS:
LABORATORY/CREDIT
HOURS:
TEXTBOOK TITLE:
PUBLISHER’S NAME:
AUTHOR’S NAME:
ISBN:
INSTRUCTOR
QUALIFICATIONS:






Tests and Measurements
PHT1261C
PHT1251C
4.0 semester credit hours
100
40 lecture hours/2 semester credit hours
 60 laboratory hours/2 semester credit hours
 Physical Rehabilitation: Assessment and Treatment, 5th edition
 PTA MACS—Fort Lauderdale Campus Only.
 Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Assessment Techniques, 2nd
Edition
 F.A. Davis
 Texas Physical Therapy Association
 Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
 O’Sullivan, S., Schmitz, Thomas
 Texas Alliance of PTA educators
 Palmer and Epler.
 9780803612471
 N/A
 9780781710077
 Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant licensed in
Florida (or Florida eligible) and a minimum of two years of clinical
practical experience.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Focuses on skills necessary to perform physical therapy test and
measurement procedures. Emphasis is on manual muscle testing,
muscle tone, muscle length, limb length, volume and girth,
sensation, coordination and balance, activities of daily living,
architectural barriers, pain, reflexes, gait and posture. In addition
theories of development and developmental sequence, prehension,
life span changes in the body systems, posture development
throughout the life span, primitive reflexes, righting reactions.
COURSE TOPICS:
1





Limb length, girth, volume
Height, weight
Sensation testing
Manual muscle testing
Muscle length testing
PHT1261C Course Control Document
Effective 10/28/2013
















COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Muscle tone
Coordination testing
Balance testing
Pain
Deep tendon reflexes (purpose only)
Righting reactions
Primitive/developmental reflexes
Gait/including abnormal
Posture/including abnormal
Clinical documentation of measurement/assessment
Theories of development
Developmental sequence
Prehension
Life span changes in body systems
Posture development – life span
Locomotion development – life span
 Upon completion of the course, students are able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the purposes for the
assessment based on the plan of care established by the physical
therapist, and if appropriate, any advantages, disadvantage,
indications, contraindications, precautions and normal values for
collection of data, including:
a. limb length
b. strength (MMT)
c. limb volume
d. muscle length
e. limb girth
f. height
g. weight
h. gait
i. posture
j. pain
k. primitive/developmental reflexes
l. muscle tone
m. coordination
n. sensation
o. equilibrium/righting reactions/balance
p. deep tendon reflexes (purpose only)
q. administration of standardized questionnaires to patients and
others for self-care, home management, and community or
work re-integration
2. Demonstrate competency in performing components of data
collection skills essential for carrying out the plan of care
2
PHT1261C Course Control Document
Effective 10/28/2013
established by the physical therapist, including:
a. demonstrating the ability to recognize both gross and fine
motor milestones.
b. demonstrating the ability to recognize righting and
equilibrium reactions.
3. Discuss the rationale for performing assessment procedures
utilizing the standard manner so the results are useful and
meaningful and how it relates to the effectiveness of the delivery
of physical therapy services.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and use of various methods of
questioning/communication to elicit pertinent information from
patients.
5. Identify and apply the components of a muscle test that produce
a valid and reliable assessment including the five grades and the
plus and minus system used in manual muscle testing.
6. Demonstrate competency in performing components of data
collection skills essential for carrying out the plan of care
established by the physical therapist including: using standard
procedure in an effective, accurate, safe, and timely manner
using correct body mechanics and appropriate patient
positioning/draping for:
a. limb length
b. strength (MMT)
c. limb volume
d. muscle length
e. limb girth
f. height
g. weight
h. gait
i. posture
j. pain
k. primitive/developmental reflexes
l. muscle tone
m. coordination
n. sensation
o. equilibrium/righting reactions/balance
p. deep tendon reflexes (purpose only)
q. administration of standardized questionnaires to patients
and others for self-care, home management, and
community or work re-integration
7. Communicate an understanding of the plan of care developed by
the physical therapist to achieve short and long term goals and
intended outcomes with reference to human development,
including:
3
PHT1261C Course Control Document
Effective 10/28/2013
a. defining the periods of development from prenatal to older
adulthood.
b. explaining the components of gross motor development
including major motor milestones.
c. explaining the components of fine motor skills, including
fine motor milestones.
d. describing the development of locomotion including
rolling, crawling and creeping, erect walking, running,
galloping, hopping and skipping.
e. demonstrating an understanding of the role of reflexes in
development of normal motor control.
8. Maintain appropriate communication with the PT including:
a. determining situations in which treatment intervention
should not be provided due to changes in patient status and
reporting this to the physical therapist.
b. explaining what changes in patient status would be
reported to the supervising physical therapist and reporting
those changes.
c. identifying when the direction to perform an intervention
is beyond that which is appropriate for a physical therapist
assistant and initiating clarification with the physical
therapist.
d. explaining a patient’s normal and abnormal responses to
treatment in order to adjust interventions within the plan of
care established by the physical therapist in response to
patient clinical indications and reporting this to the
supervising physical therapist in a timely manner.
e. explaining the role of the physical therapist assistant in the
participation in discharge planning and follow-up as
directed by the supervising physical therapist.
9. Complete thorough, accurate, logical, concise, timely, and
legible documentation that follows guidelines and
documentation formats required by state law, the practice setting
and/or other regulatory agencies.
10. Demonstrate the ability to perform educational activities
including:
a. communicating verbally and non-verbally during
simulation, with the patient (lab partner), the physical
therapist (instructor), health care delivery personnel
(instructor and/or another classmate) and others in an
effective, appropriate and capable manner. This includes
an appropriate introduction of self as an SPTA.
b. participating in educating patients and caregivers as
directed by the supervising physical therapist.
c. providing patient-related instruction to patients, family
4
PHT1261C Course Control Document
Effective 10/28/2013
members, and caregivers to achieve patient outcomes
based on the plan of care established by the physical
therapist.
11. Demonstrate knowledge of and apply safety procedures,
including:
a. safe use and maintenance of equipment
b. appropriate cleaning of equipment and environment for
infection control.
c. ensuring the student is treating the correct lab partner
through name identification
d. ensuring the clinical environment is safe.
e. identifying the appropriate action in an emergency situation
12. Demonstrate professional behavior by:
a. applying the role of the physical therapist assistant in given
situational activities using the appropriate standards of
practice and ethics of the PTA.
b. identifying continuing education courses that could be taken
by a physical therapist assistant to promote career
development and lifelong learning opportunities.
c. recognizing and respecting individual and cultural
differences of instructors and classmates and responding
appropriately.
d. exhibiting conduct that reflects a commitment to meet the
expectations and needs of consumers of healthcare and those
providing healthcare, through safe, ethical, legal and
knowledgeable performance.
e. explaining the role of the physical therapist assistant with
regards to social responsibility, citizenship and advocacy to
the community which involves participation in
community/service organizations and activities as well as
participation in the clinical education of physical therapist
assistant students.
Scope and Sequence
WEEK 1
Learning Objective(s): 1-4, 6-12
Assigned Reading: O’Sullivan: Chapters 5,8, 28; Palmer: Chapter 3
Suggested Learning Syllabus Review, Pre-test
Activities: Lecture: Developmental Reflexes; Developmental Sequence (1)
Readings: O’Sullivan: Chapter 8; Handouts
5
PHT1261C Course Control Document
Effective 10/28/2013
Lecture: Prehension; Human Development Across the Lifespan (1)
Readings: Handouts
Lecture: Limb length, girth and volume (2)
Lab: Limb length, girth, and volume
Readings: Handouts
Lecture: Sensation (2)
Lab: Limb length, girth and volume; sensation
Readings: O’Sullivan: Chapter 5 (sensation)
Lecture: Pain, Deep Tendon Reflexes [DTRs] (2)
Lab: Sensation, Pain
Readings: Handouts; O’Sullivan: Chapter 8, 28; Palmer: Chapter 3
Evaluation: Pre-Test, Written Exam and/or Quizzes or
projects/presentations/papers/homework as determined by the instructor.
WEEK 2
Learning Objective(s): 1-4, 6, 8-12
Assigned Reading: O’Sullivan: Chapters 7, 8, 10; Palmer: Chapters 2, 5-7, Handouts
Suggested Learning Competencies 1-2 (limb length, girth/volume, sensation, pain)
Activities: Lecture: Muscle tone (3)
Readings: O’Sullivan: Chapter 8
Lecture: Balance (3)
Lab: Balance
Readings: O’Sullivan: Chapter 8
Lecture: Coordination (3)
Lab: Finish balance, begin coordination (3)
Lecture: Gait (4)
Readings: O’Sullivan: Chapter 7, 10, Handouts
Lab: Continue coordination, gait
Readings: Handouts; Weaver: Chapter 12
Lecture: Muscle length (4)
Lab: UE Muscle length (4)
Readings: Palmer: Chapter: 2, 5-7, Handouts
Evaluation: Written Exam and/or Quizzes or projects/presentations/papers/homework
as determined by the instructor. Competencies 1-2
WEEK 3
Learning Objective(s): 1, 3-6, 8-12
6
PHT1261C Course Control Document
Effective 10/28/2013
Assigned Reading: Palmer: Chapters 2, 5-7, 9, 10, 12-14
Suggested Learning Competencies 3 (balance and coordination)
Activities: Lab:
LE/Spine muscle length
Readings: Palmer: Chapters 9, 10, 12-14; Handouts
Lecture: MMT (5)
Lab:
UE MMT (5)
Readings: Palmer: Chapters 2, 5-7
Competencies 4 (muscle length)
Lab:
Continue UE MMT
Readings: Palmer: Chapters 2, 5-7
Lab:
LE MMT
Readings: Palmer: Chapters 12-14
Evaluation: Written Exams and/or Quizzes or projects/presentations/papers/homework
as determined by the instructor. Competencies 3-4
WEEK 4
Learning Objective(s): 1, 3-6, 8-12
Assigned Reading: Palmer: Chapters 4, 5-7, 9, 10, 12-14, Handouts
Suggested Learning Lab: Continue LE MMT, begin spine MMT
Activities: Readings: Palmer: Chapters 9, 10, 12-14
Competency 5 (Upper Extremity MMT)
Lab:
Finish spine MMT
Readings: Palmer: Chapters 5-7
Lab:
Review LE/Spine MMT
Readings: Palmer: Chapters 9, 10, 12-14
Competencies 6 (LE and Spine MMT)
Lab:
Posture
Readings: Palmer: Chapter 4
Final Exam, Post-Test
Evaluation: Final Exam and/or Quizzes or projects/presentations/papers/homework as
determined by the instructor. Post-Test, Competencies 5-6
7
PHT1261C Course Control Document
Effective 10/28/2013
Course Evaluation Strategies (Methodologies)
Lecture
60 % Exams
10 % Projects/Presentations/Papers/ Homework/Quizzes
(individual assignment or multiple assignments
determined by instructor)
5% Post-Test
14 % Final Exam
Laboratory
6 % 6 Competencies (1% each)
Each competency examination must be passed with a
70% or higher in order to pass the course.
Professionalism
5% Professionalism rubric
100.0% TOTAL possible score
Students must earn a grade of 70% or higher in both the lecture section and the laboratory
section; should a 70% in either section not be achieved the student will receive a final
course grade of “F” and not be able to continue in the program.
Grading Scale
A final grade is determined using the following grading scale
90-100%  A
80-89.99%  B
70-79.99%  C
Less than 70%  F
Methods of Course Delivery: The subject matter in this course is presented in various
forms which may include lectures, class discussion, demonstrations, collaborative
activities, computer assignments, student projects and presentations, on-line research,
guest speakers or field trips.
Competencies for this class include:
Competency 1:
 UE limb length
 UE girth and volume
Competency 2:
 UE/LE superficial sensation assessment
 UE/LE deep and cortical sensation assessment
 Pain questionnaire/scales
Competency 3:
 Balance assessment
8
PHT1261C Course Control Document
Effective 10/28/2013
 Coordination assessment
Competency 4:
 UE muscle length
 LE/spine muscle length
Competency 5:
 UE manual muscle testing shoulder/shoulder girdle
 UE manual muscle testing elbow/wrist/hand
Competency 6:
 LE manual muscle testing hip/knee
 LE manual muscle testing ankle/foot/spine
9
PHT1261C Course Control Document
Effective 10/28/2013
KEISER UNIVERSITY
Course Control Document – Evidence of Understanding
Course: PHT1261C Tests and Measurements
By signing below, I affirm that I have received, read and understand the information
provided in the above course control document; and the grade which I must achieve to
pass the course.
Print Name: ____________________________________________
Signature: _____________________________________________
Date: __________________________________________________
Instructor: _____________________________________________
10 PHT1261C Course Control Document
Effective 10/28/2013