CPMA Physical Therapy (PT) Practice Test 2026 - Free PT Practice Questions and Study Guide

In physical therapy, estimating prognosis is about forecasting how much and how quickly a patient can improve with the planned treatment. This step looks at the diagnosis, the patient’s overall health and factors like motivation and support, and then predicts the likely course of recovery if the prescribed interventions are followed. This prognosis guides the plan of care: setting realistic goals, deciding how often and how long therapy will be needed, and determining the needed home program and resources. It’s the bridge between knowing what’s wrong (the diagnosis) and taking action (the intervention). Documentation records the results and progress along the way, while the intervention is the work you actually perform.