What was the original statement of PT diagnosis in the definition?

• A. It limits PT from performing an evaluation
• B. It states that the limitation on determining a differential diagnosis shall not limit PT from performing an evaluation
• C. It requires diagnosis to be substantiated by physician
• D. It changed the evaluation process

Answer: (B)

At the heart of this is understanding what a physical therapist can do under Direct Access. The original definition made it clear that restrictions on determining a medical differential diagnosis do not stop a PT from performing an evaluation. In other words, a PT can examine a patient, gather history, and perform tests to identify impairments and functional limitations to guide PT care, even though the medical diagnosis itself is not issued by the PT. The medical diagnosis remains in the physician’s domain, but the PT can still trigger and guide the treatment plan through a proper evaluation.

This interpretation reflects why the correct statement is the best choice: it directly mirrors the idea that the limitation on differential diagnosis does not prevent a PT from conducting an evaluation. The other ideas—that evaluation is limited, that a physician-substantiated diagnosis is required, or that the evaluation process itself was changed—do not describe the original wording.