PHTA 2185 PTA Fundamentals IV Syllabus 010 Fall 2026

Credit Hours 5.00 Lecture Hours 3 Clinical/Lab Hours 4
Type of Credit
CIP Code
51.0806
Course Meeting Time
  • Monday/Wednesday from 8-12:20 pm (Lecture)
  • Tuesday/Thursday from 8:00-2:00 pm (Laboratory)
Course Description
This course requires students to apply previously learned concepts and skills to selected cardiac, vascular, pulmonary, and integumentary conditions with integration of other systems as applicable. Laboratory practice will allow hands-on application of selected data collection skills including: aerobic capacity and endurance; assistive, adaptive, orthotic, and prosthetic devices; integumentary integrity; postural alignment; and ventilation and respiration examination. In addition, students will apply therapeutic interventions including, but not limited to: prosthetic and orthotic functional training; sterile techniques; wound management; and establishment and implementation of a HEP. Students will develop the ability to safely and effectively implement, progress, adjust, and document interventions to patient conditions across the life span utilizing critical thinking while following the established plan of care developed by the physical therapist.
Prerequisites

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Regina VanDeVelde
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
1-815-802-8817
Faculty Office Number
M132
Faculty Student Support Hours

Monday 12:20-2:20 pm

Wednesday 12:20-1:20 pm

*faculty also available for skills lab and tutoring by appointment

Faculty Information

Faculty

Lead Instructor:

Regina VanDeVelde, PT, DPT 
P: 815-802-8817 
E: rvandevelde@kcc.edu

Instructor:

Jill Hills, PTA

E: jhills@kcc.edu

Lab Assistant:

Megan Arpin, PT, DPT

E: marpin@kcc.edu

Course Information

Textbook/s and Course Materials

Textbook(s)/ Resources

Author

Title

Edition

Year

ISBN

Publisher

  1. Fulk GD, Chui K
Physical Rehabilitation

8th

2024

9781719646918

F.A. Davis

  1. Kisner and Colby

Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques

(students will have this book from the Manual Therapy course)

8th

2023

9781719640473

F.A. Davis

  1. PhysioU

Evidenced Based PT Clinical Guide: Online Membership

- https://www.physiou.health/

Program will purchase this

 

 

 

 

  1. EHRgo
Program will purchase this

 

 

 

 

Required Equipment/Tools/Materials

  1. Computer/internet access
Methods of Evaluation

Evaluation

Methods of Assessment

Attendance/ Class ParticipationXIndividual Projects and Presentations 
Case Study/ScenariosXPractical DemonstrationX
Exams/TestsXWritten AssignmentsX
Group Projects and PresentationsXQuizzesX
PapersXOtherX

Grading Standard

Please refer to the PTA Student Guidebook for PTA program grading standards.

A final grade of 75% or higher is mandatory for continuation in the Physical Therapist Assistant program.

  • The following standardized grading scale will apply to all PTA core (suffix PHTA) courses:

93 – 100% A

84 – 92% B

75 – 83% C___passing___

66 - 74% D

Below 66% F

As pertains to grades, the following are expectations of all PTA students to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress:

  • Students who earn less than 80% on written exams are required to complete the remediation process. See remediation policy in your student guidebook.
  1. Students must earn at least 80% of the total points on each practical exam (in courses with a patient skills component) with demonstrated proficiency on all required skills for each core course.
  2. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” for each PTA core course after exams/tests, practical exams and all other graded activities are averaged together.
Course Policies

Entry-Level Skills Checklist:

In courses with a patient skills component, an Entry-Level Skills Checklist is used to evaluate each student’s knowledge, skill and safety in basic procedures and overall competency in that skill; successful completion is required prior to participating in the laboratory practical, and absolutely before participating in clinical education experiences. Entry-level Skills Checklists are not graded, thus allowing for critical feedback from peers and the faculty on the student’s current skill level. It is the student’s responsibility to see that the skill is assessed/evaluated and completed by the designated date (typically the end of the unit) and turned in completed by the respective laboratory practical exam. The Entry-Level Skills Checklists are retained in the student’s file in the PTA program.

  • Anthropometric Characteristics
  • Cardiac Dysfunction
  • Donning/Doffing Isolation Clothing – Aseptic Isolation
  • Donning/Doffing Sterile Gloves
  • Dressing Change
  • Orthotic/Prosthetic Devices
  • Pulmonary Dysfunction
  • Vital Signs

Simulation Lab Activities:

All pertinent information for simulation lab activities should be reviewed prior to entering the simulation lab. Full participation, engagement and respect for peers are required during simulation activities.

Online Lectures:

Some online recorded video lectures will be available for you on CANVAS throughout this course. If an online lecture is on CANVAS, the expectation is that you have listened to the lecture prior to class. The class time will be spent applying the learned material. The purpose of an online lecture is:

1. To assist students with guiding their reading

2. To allow increased time for application in the classroom

 

Lab:

Any portions of the lab unable to be completed during lab time will need to be completed and submitted to Canvas by the listed due date. Active participation and engagement are very important during lab, and anyone found not to be participating in lab will have 5 points deducted from their total lab grade for that lab.

Assignments:

All assignments must be submitted by the designated due date. Assignments submitted more than two (2) days after the due date listed in Canvas will not be accepted or graded and will receive a zero (0). Students are encouraged to submit their highest-quality work, as revisions, corrections, or resubmissions will not be considered for grade changes.

Quizzes:

Quizzes are meant to assist with your review of the chapter and material. You are allowed multiple attempts on these quizzes, and your highest score will be taken. The Lung Volumes and Capacities Quiz is a single attempt quiz and is not included with the chapter quizzes.

EBP Article Reviews:

Please make sure each article review includes a title with the article name. The article must also be attached to the article review. You should also relate the article back to clinical practice and previous experience in the summary. The article should be cited in AMA format. You may be asked to present your summary in class.

Planning for Student Success:

For every hour you spend in class, you will need to spend 2-3 hours outside of class, depending on your ability to comprehend and recall content. This time will be spent completing assignments and reviewing content outside of class meeting time for optimal results.

Course Policies

The policies and procedures of this course will follow the policies and standards outlined in the College Catalog as well as the PTA Student Guidebook. All work should reflect the student’s efforts. Group collaboration is encouraged; however, each student must demonstrate personal competence and individual expression in all work submitted to be graded.

Expectations for Classroom and Online Behavior

See Course Policies and PTA Student Guidebook

Course Calendar

Topical Outline

  • Vascular, Lymphatic, and Integumentary Disorders and Management
  • Amputations and Prosthetics
  • Orthotics
  • Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Assessment
  • Vital Signs and Lab Values
  • Health and Wellness
  • Principles of Aerobic Conditioning
  • Pulmonary Disease and Dysfunction and Management
  • Heart (Cardiac) Disease and Dysfunction and Management

 

Assessment Criteria/Tentative Course Calendar:

Mode of Delivery: Face to Face

This course is delivered in-person and includes both lecture and laboratory components.

* Students will be required to participate in additional lab time for the purpose of demonstrating proficiency in Entry-Level Skills.

DateTOPIC

Week 1

Mon

Aug 17

LECTURE: Vascular, Lymphatic, and Integumentary Disorders (Chapter 14 pgs. 469-485, 487, 489, 491-492, 496-502, 506-516)

LECTURE: Burns (Chapter 24 pgs. 939-954, 958-964)

 

**Please make sure to listen to all posted Online Lectures prior to class throughout Fundamentals IV**

Listen to Online recorded lectures for Vascular and Integumentary Disorders and Burns

 

In class lectures:

Lymphedema, Rachel Lucas PT, DPT, CLT (9:30 am)

Rule of Nines

LAB:

Lymphedema and Anthropometric lab

Rule of Nines Worksheet

Assignments: Vascular, Lymphatic and Integumentary Disorders Quiz, Management of Lymphatic Disorders Quiz, Burns Quiz, Burns Outline Worksheet

Other: Complete RMC Olie Modules

Tuesday

Aug 18

Prior to Class: Watch PPE PhysioU Videos

Start of class: Donning/Doffing PPE, Sterile gloves

 

Lecture: Physical Therapy Wound Care

Guest: Suzie Klimowski, PT- 9:00 am-12:00 am

LAB: Wound Management, Dressing Changes

 

To do: Wound Care Patient Scenarios- review and answer questions for discussion in lab during Thursdays lab

Additional resources on Canvas to use during Lab:

1)Dressing type, Exudate, Debridement charts

2)Wound Types Chart

Wednesday

Aug 19

Wound Care Clinic ICE (RMC Wound Center- Jennifer Leonard, Leslie Malone and Rachel Denault Or Advocate Christ Medical Center Physical Therapy Wound Care Center- Mary Maurer)

-turn in Clinical Site Visit Report

Outcomes Vascular, Lymphatic, Integumentary and Burn Outline- review this document

Assignment: Turn in Burns Outline Worksheet

Thursday

Aug 20

Prior to Class: Read Case Study on Patient with Burns

Lab:

-Wound Care Patient Scenarios Review

-Discussion of Wound Care Clinic Visits

-Guiding questions for Burn Case Study (submit answers to Dropbox)

-Exam 1 Review (as time allows)

 

Written Exam 1: Wound Care and Integumentary- to end class-W110

 

After class:

ELSC: Anthropometric Characteristics (immediately following class)

ELSC: Donning/Doffing Isolation Clothing (submit video to Dropbox)

 

Week 2

Monday

Aug 24

 

Instructor: Jill Hills

LECTURE: Orthotic/Prosthetics (Chapters 30 and 31)

 

Online Lecture Recordings: Amputation and Prosthetics, Orthotics

 

After Class:

ELSC: Dressing change

ELSC: Donning/Doffing sterile gloves- sterile technique

-45 minutes per student

 

Tuesday

Aug 25

 

 

Instructor: Jill Hills

EBP Article Review: Orthotic, Prosthetics, Amputations- due at 8 am

LAB: Orthotics/Prosthetics

 

ELSC- Orthotics and Prosthetics (also on Thursday)

Wednesday

Aug 26

 

 

Instructor: Regina VanDeVelde

 

 

LECTURE: Vital Signs (Physical Rehab, Ch. 2)

LECTURE:Promoting Health and Wellness and Principles of Aerobic Exercise (Physical Rehab: Chapter 29 and Kisner and Colby: Ch. 2 (Health and Wellness) and Kisner and Colby: Ch. 7 (Aerobic Exercise))

 

Online Lecture Recordings: Vital Signs and Principles of Aerobic Exercise

Case Studies: Lab Values

 

Assignments:

EBP: Supplemental Oxygen Utilization in Physical Therapy

Health and Wellness Review

Examination of Vital Signs Quiz

Promoting Health and Wellness Quiz

Principles of Aerobic Exercise Quiz

Thursday

Aug 27

 

Instructor: Jill Hills

LAB: Orthotics/Prosthetics

ELSC-Orthotic/Prosthetic Devices

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 3

Monday

August 31

 

Lab,

Class, time change: 8:00-2:00 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exam 2: Orthotics and Prosthetics-W110

 

LAB:

Prior to Lab: Watch Vitals are Vital Videos, Read article on the 6-min walk test, Download the app: iWalkAssess (University of Toronto)

In lab: Vital Signs Lab, Assessment of Vital Signs (ELSC in Class) and

Aerobic Exercise & Conditioning Lab

During/after lab: Case Studies: Vital Signs Assessment

 

Tuesday

Sept 1

 

Lecture,

Class time change:

8-12:20

Review of Cardiopulmonary Anatomy-PhysioU- due at start of class

LECTURE:Chronic Pulmonary Dysfunction (Physical Rehab, Ch. 12 and Kisner and Colby, Ch. 27-pg. 1092-1093); Clinical Decision Making in Acute Care

 

Online Recorded Lectures: Pulmonary Dysfunction

 

Quizzes:

Chronic Pulmonary Dysfunction Quiz

Cardiovascular System: ABGs

EBP Supplemental Oxygen Utilization in Physical Therapy due today

Health and Wellness Outcomes Worksheet due today

Wednesday

Sept 2

 

 

Lab,

Class time change: 8:00-2:00 pm

Pulmonary Pre-Lab activity due at beginning of lab: PhysioU

 

Lung Volumes and Capacities Quiz (single attempt quiz to start class)

LAB: Assessment and Treatment ofPulmonary Dysfunction

LAB skills: chest mobility, lung sounds/auscultation, breathing exercises and ventilatory training, cough techniques and secretion mobilization, postural drainage-percussion and vibration, postural assessment

Quizzes:

Pulmonary System: Airway Clearance Techniques

Pulmonary System: Breathing Exercises

 

Thursday

Sept 3

 

 

Lecture,

Class time change:

8:00-12:20 pm

 

LECTURE: Heart Disease and Dysfunction (Physical Rehab, Ch. 13 and Kisner and Colby, Ch. 7, pgs. 264-265)

 

Online Recorded Lectures: Cardiovascular

Additional Topic Areas:

ECG/EKG

Common Cardiac Medications

Assignment:

Cardiovascular Review Sheet

Week 4

Monday

Sept 7

Monday, Sept 7th, Campus is closed for Labor Day Holiday

 

 

Tuesday

Sept 8

 

Written Exam 3: Pulmonary Disorders-W110

LAB:

  1. Simulation Lab:

-Collaboration and mentoring with 1st year students: transfers/line management

  • Complete feedback form for 1st year students

-Pulmonary patient treatment session/skills: Family training, vital signs, breathing techniques, incentive spirometer, etc. (see Canvas for additional details)

  • Complete documentation for Pulmonary Patient/ELSC and submit to Canvas
  1. Begin Examination and Management of Cardiac Conditions Lab

ELSC: Pulmonary Dysfunction

 

 

Wednesday

Sept 9

Respiratory Program/PTA Collaboration (see tentative schedule) 9:00 am-12:00 am

-Review objectives and both cases for Simulation prior to class this day and be prepared to discuss your treatment plan from 8-9am

 

-PTA Student Presentation for Respiratory Students during Collaboration (as assigned)

-Complete documentation for both patients and submit to Dropbox on Canvas

-Complete evaluation of the simulation experience and reflection assignment afterwards

 

Thursday

Sept 10

LAB: Examination and Management of Cardiac Conditions

 

Assignments:

Cardiovascular Review Sheet Due

EKG Review-PhysioU

Quiz:

Physical Rehabilitation Text PTA: Heart Disease

Week 5

Monday

Sept 14

Onsite Clinical at Riverside (Michelle Meyers): Turn in Clinical Site Visit Report afterwards

-See schedule on Canvas

 

ELSC:Cardiac Dysfunction- TBD

Tuesday

Sept 15

EBP Article Review Due: Cardiovascular- due at 8 am

LAB: Comprehensive Scenarios Practice

ELSC: Cardiac Dysfunction-TBD

Wednesday

Sept 16

FINAL COMPREHENSIVE WRITTEN EXAM-W110

Thursday

Sept 17

Comprehensive Practical Exam (Simulation Lab)

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.