CAPE Disability Classification & Conditions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Before a student with Down syndrome participates in gymnastics or contact sports, an adapted PE teacher should ensure screening has been completed for which cervical condition?
- Cervical stenosis due to bone overgrowth
- Spinal muscular atrophy progression
- Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) (Correct answer)
- Cervical disc herniation from joint hypermobility
Correct answer: Atlantoaxial instability (AAI)
Atlantoaxial instability occurs in approximately 15% of individuals with Down syndrome; excessive cervical flexion or extension can compress the spinal cord, so activities involving these movements require medical clearance.
Question 2: Which condition is characterized by abnormally brittle bones resulting from a genetic defect in collagen production?
- Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) (Correct answer)
- Osteoporosis from calcium deficiency
- Fibromyalgia with widespread musculoskeletal pain
- Rickets from vitamin D deficiency
Correct answer: Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
Osteogenesis imperfecta is caused by mutations affecting type I collagen synthesis, resulting in bones that fracture easily with minimal or even no apparent trauma.
Question 3: During physical education class, a student with Type 1 diabetes becomes shaky, pale, and confused. The MOST likely cause is?
- Hyperglycemia (abnormally elevated blood sugar)
- Hypoglycemia (abnormally low blood sugar) (Correct answer)
- Exercise-induced dehydration
- Heat exhaustion from thermal overload
Correct answer: Hypoglycemia (abnormally low blood sugar)
Exercise increases muscle glucose uptake; if insulin is not adjusted accordingly, blood glucose can drop, producing classic hypoglycemic symptoms including trembling, pallor, and altered mental status.
Question 4: A student with spina bifida myelomeningocele at the L4-L5 level is MOST likely to require which mobility assistance?
- No assistive devices — full independent community ambulation is expected
- Power wheelchair for all mobility needs
- Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) and forearm crutches for household and community ambulation (Correct answer)
- Bilateral hip disarticulation prosthetics for standing and walking
Correct answer: Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) and forearm crutches for household and community ambulation
L4-L5 lesions preserve hip flexion and partial knee extension but impair ankle/foot control; most individuals can ambulate short distances with AFOs and crutches but often use wheelchairs for longer distances.
Question 5: In Paralympic classification for visual impairments, the B1 category is designated for athletes who have?
- Mild visual impairment with visual acuity better than 6/60
- Moderate impairment with visual acuity between 6/60 and 2/60
- Severe impairment with some usable vision (VA < 2/60 or VF < 10°)
- Total blindness or no more than minimal light perception without form recognition (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Total blindness or no more than minimal light perception without form recognition
B1 is the most severely impaired visual class, including athletes who are completely blind or can perceive light only but cannot distinguish shapes or forms.
Question 6: An adapted PE teacher working with a student who has sickle cell trait should MOST closely monitor for which exercise-related warning sign?
- Signs of exertional sickling such as muscle pain, cramping, swelling, or sudden weakness (Correct answer)
- Joint pain during passive stretching exercises
- Delayed-onset muscle soreness appearing 24-48 hours after activity
- Mild shortness of breath during moderate-intensity exercise
Correct answer: Signs of exertional sickling such as muscle pain, cramping, swelling, or sudden weakness
Exertional sickling occurs when red blood cells sickle under physiologic stress of intense exercise, potentially causing rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, or sudden cardiac death if unrecognized.
Question 7: A student with Prader-Willi syndrome in physical education MOST requires monitoring and management related to?
- Excessive caloric restriction leading to malnutrition and low body weight
- Hyperactivity and impulsive behavior during unstructured activity
- Hyperphagia (compulsive overeating) and associated obesity management (Correct answer)
- Cardiac arrhythmias triggered by aerobic exercise
Correct answer: Hyperphagia (compulsive overeating) and associated obesity management
Prader-Willi syndrome involves hypothalamic dysfunction causing insatiable appetite (hyperphagia) and metabolic inefficiency, making PE a critical venue for calorie expenditure and food access control.
CAPE Disability Classification & Conditions 2
Before a student with Down syndrome participates in gymnastics or contact sports, an adapted PE teacher should ensure screening has been completed for which cervical condition?