Abstract
A 79-year-old female patient with an acute exacerbation of chronic congestive heart failure attended 7 sessions of physical therapy in 11 days at an acute care hospital. Treatment was provided by a physical therapist student under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was examined at the initial encounter with Manual Muscle Test, Timed Up and Go, Modified 30 Second Sit to Stand, Activity Measure of Post-Acute Care, 6 Minute Walk Test, and 36-Item Short Form Survey. A plan of care was established to address deficits in upper and lower extremity strength, lower extremity endurance, functional mobility, walking endurance, and quality of life. Main goals for the patient were to improve lower extremity strength and endurance and walking endurance. The patient’s goals were to ambulate from her bed to the kitchen and stand from a regular chair so she could enjoy a meal and work on puzzles at the kitchen table with family several times per day. Main interventions included task specific training, strengthening exercise, endurance training, gait training, and an independent exercise program. At the conclusion of the episode of care, the patient demonstrated improvements in goals related to lower extremity strength and endurance, functional mobility, walking endurance, and quality of life. The patient was discharged home with assistance from family, a home exercise program, and referral for home health physical therapy.