BRS Rehabilitation Techniques & Mobility Training 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which protective technique involves holding the arm across the body at waist height with the palm facing outward to protect the lower body when navigating unfamiliar environments?
- Upper-hand-and-forearm technique
- Lower-hand-and-forearm technique (Correct answer)
- Diagonal cane technique
- Touch technique
Correct answer: Lower-hand-and-forearm technique
The lower-hand-and-forearm technique protects the lower body by positioning the arm across the waist with the palm facing outward to detect obstacles below waist level.
Question 2: During Orientation and Mobility training, a client loses their orientation in an open area. The recommended first step is to:
- Ask a passerby for help immediately
- Stop, take a breath, and use environmental clues to reorient (Correct answer)
- Continue walking in the last known direction
- Call the O&M specialist for guidance
Correct answer: Stop, take a breath, and use environmental clues to reorient
When disoriented, the client should stop and systematically use available environmental cues such as sounds, terrain, and landmarks to reestablish orientation before moving.
Question 3: A BRS is working with a client who uses a long white cane. Which grip is considered standard for most adult cane users?
- Index finger extended along the shaft with thumb on top (Correct answer)
- Diagonal grip with all fingers wrapped around the handle
- Pencil grip with only index and thumb
- Overhand grip with wrist facing upward
Correct answer: Index finger extended along the shaft with thumb on top
The standard pencil-style grip with the index finger extended along the shaft provides optimal control and wrist movement for proper cane technique.
Question 4: In the two-point touch cane technique, the cane tip should contact the ground at which timing relative to foot placement?
- Same side, same time as the foot landing
- Opposite side, one step ahead of the advancing foot (Correct answer)
- Center of path, two steps ahead
- Opposite side, simultaneous with the advancing foot landing
Correct answer: Opposite side, one step ahead of the advancing foot
In two-point touch technique, the cane contacts on the opposite side one step ahead, ensuring the path is cleared before the foot steps into that area.
Question 5: When teaching a client to descend stairs independently using a long cane, the cane should be used to:
- Slide along the wall for balance only
- Locate the step edge before each foot descends (Correct answer)
- Sweep left to right across each stair tread
- Tap the railing for auditory feedback
Correct answer: Locate the step edge before each foot descends
On stair descent, the cane is extended to locate the edge of each step, verifying the drop before the client shifts weight forward.
Question 6: Which of the following is a primary advantage of the constant contact (sliding) cane technique over the two-point touch technique?
- Faster walking speed
- Better information about surface texture and drop-offs (Correct answer)
- Quieter operation in public settings
- More effective for detecting overhead obstacles
Correct answer: Better information about surface texture and drop-offs
Constant contact keeps the cane tip on the ground continuously, providing richer tactile feedback about surface changes, texture, and drop-offs that brief touch contacts miss.
Question 7: A visually impaired client is learning to cross a multi-lane street with a traffic signal. Which cue signals that it is safe to begin crossing?
- The sound of parallel traffic stopping (Correct answer)
- The sound of perpendicular traffic beginning to move
- The pedestrian crossing signal audible tone only
- The tactile vibration of the curb ramp
Correct answer: The sound of parallel traffic stopping
The surge of parallel traffic beginning to move (not stopping) indicates the signal has changed in the client's favor, making it safe to cross.
BRS Rehabilitation Techniques & Mobility Training 2
Which protective technique involves holding the arm across the body at waist height with the palm facing outward to protect the lower body when navigating unfamiliar environments?