If a patient presents with contagious symptoms, what is the recommended action in a PT clinic?

If a patient presents with contagious symptoms, what is the recommended action in a PT clinic?

• A. Isolate and refer for medical evaluation
• B. Proceed with therapy with no restrictions
• C. Only use masks but continue
• D. Ignore symptoms and proceed.

Answer: (D)

When someone shows contagious symptoms, protecting others in the clinic and addressing the illness first is the main idea. The patient should be isolated from others and referred for medical evaluation to determine the cause and whether any PT should be postponed or modified. In the clinic, follow infection-control practices: perform hand hygiene, use appropriate PPE, and clean and disinfect equipment and surfaces between patients. If you must see the patient, do so in a designated area with extra precautions and ensure the patient is cleared before returning to regular sessions. Actions like continuing therapy without restrictions, relying only on masks, or ignoring symptoms would risk spreading illness to staff and other patients and are not appropriate.