A physical therapist checks the water temperature of the hot pack machine after several patients report the heat being very strong. Which of the following temperatures would be acceptable?
 
1.      64 degrees Celsius (147 degrees Fahrenheit)
2.      71 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit)
3.      83 degrees Celsius (181 degrees Fahrenheit)
4.      94 degrees Celsius (201 degrees Fahrenheit)

Transcript

Welcome back to the Scorebuilders’ Question and Answer Podcast! This podcast provides members of the Scorebuilders’ team with the opportunity to explore challenging multiple-choice examination questions with students actively preparing for the licensing examination. My name is Scott Giles and I will be your host for today’s journey.

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A physical therapist checks the water temperature of the hot pack machine after several patients report the heat being very strong. Which of the following temperatures would be acceptable?
 
1.      64 degrees Celsius (147 degrees Fahrenheit)
2.      71 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit)
3.      83 degrees Celsius (181 degrees Fahrenheit)
4.      94 degrees Celsius (201 degrees Fahrenheit)

Hot Packs

Warning!

The question indicates that several patients have reported that the heat from the hot pack is very strong. However, the question is asking, which of the presented temperatures would be acceptable, Failure to recognize this important fact could lead to an unnecessary test tasking mistake.

Let’s explore each of the options:

Option 1 – 64 degrees Celsius (147 degrees Fahrenheit)

64 degrees Celsius (147 degrees Fahrenheit) would be less than the recommended water temperature in the hot pack unit. As a result, the hot pack would not possess the necessary thermal energy with the traditional number of towel layers. 

Option 2 – 71 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit)

71 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit) is consistent with the recommended range of water temperature and therefore the hot pack will possess the requisite amount of thermal energy. 

Option 3 – 83 degrees Celsius (181 degrees Fahrenheit)

83 degrees Celsius (181 degrees Fahrenheit) would be greater than the recommended water temperature and therefore may create a potential safety risk for the patient without adding additional towel layers. 

Option 4 – 94 degrees Celsius (201 degrees Fahrenheit)

94 degrees Celsius (201 degrees Fahrenheit) would be significantly greater than the recommended water temperature and would place the patient at significant risk for a superficial burn.

The correct answer is Option 2.

24% of students selected Option 1 - 64 degrees Celsius (147 degrees Fahrenheit) 
66% of students selected Option 2 - 71 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit) – the correct response
8% of students selected Option 3 - 83 degrees Celsius (181 degrees Fahrenheit)
2% of students selected Option 4 - 94 degrees Celsius (201 degrees Fahrenheit)

System Classification
This question is a Non-Systems question which represents approximately 14% of all exam items.

Content Outline Classification
This question is an Equipment, Devices, and Technologies; Therapeutic Modalities question which represents approximately 6% of all exam items.

Level Classification
This question is a Level 1 question since the question requires students to possess basic foundational academic knowledge. Remediation of Level 1 questions occurs through academic review of entry-level content using textbooks, review books, Basecamp, and flash cards.

Academic Focus Area
Looking to review related academic content? Check out pages 724-725 in PTEXAM: The Complete Study Guide.

Thanks for joining us on the Scorebuilders Q and A podcast! See you next week!