CDS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CDS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. The 'interactive process' required under ADA accommodation law involves: → A good-faith dialogue between employer and employee to identify effective accommodations
2. Which of the following is NOT a feature of a text-to-speech software? → Converts speech into written text.
3. A client with MRSA is being assisted with personal care. Which PPE combination is required? → Gloves and gown
4. What is the primary purpose of regulatory compliance in professional practice? → To protect public safety and ensure minimum standards of care
5. A client with a disability requires assistance with oral care. To reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia, which technique is MOST effective? → Suctioning secretions before and after oral care
6. Which of the following is an example of assistive technology for communication? → Speech-generating device.
7. Which entity typically has authority to establish practice standards? → State licensing boards and professional regulatory bodies
8. How do case managers ensure service coordination is effective? → By maintaining consistent communication between the individual and providers.
9. What is a key consideration when assessing disability severity? → The degree to which it affects daily living activities.
10. A battery-powered communication device shows significantly reduced talk time between charges. This symptom most likely indicates: → Battery degradation requiring replacement
11. Which factor most commonly causes power wheelchair joystick drift (the chair moves without user input)? → Joystick calibration offset due to damage or wear
12. Which anatomical term describes the position of the elbow relative to the wrist when the arm is in anatomical position? → Proximal
13. Which of the following best describes 'supported employment' for individuals with significant disabilities? → Competitive integrated employment with ongoing support services
14. A client experiences spasticity following a stroke. This condition involves: → Velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone due to upper motor neuron damage
15. A specialist must transport a client in a wheelchair through a facility. Which safety measure is MOST critical? → Locking the wheelchair wheels before the client transfers
16. The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) primarily expanded the law by: → Broadening the definition of 'disability' to cover more conditions
17. Which environmental modification BEST reduces fall risk for a client with lower extremity weakness in the bathroom? → Installing a raised toilet seat with armrests
18. Which OSHA standard is most directly applicable to workers who regularly perform mechanical patient lifts? → Safe Patient Handling guidelines under the general duty clause
19. A case manager suspects that a client with a cognitive disability is being financially exploited by a family member. What is the required action? → Report the suspected abuse to Adult Protective Services as mandated by law
20. A prosthetic limb user reports that the socket feels loose after recent weight change. The appropriate response is to: → Refer the client to their prosthetist for socket refitting
21. Why is it important to use standardized terminology in documentation? → It ensures consistent understanding across all readers and reduces ambiguity
22. A client with HIV requires routine personal care assistance. Which statement BEST reflects current infection control standards? → Standard precautions are sufficient because HIV is not casually transmitted
23. What should be done if an error is discovered in existing records? → Draw a single line through the error, note the correction, date, and initial
24. How does maintaining proper credentials demonstrate regulatory compliance? → It proves the practitioner has met all requirements for legal practice
25. Which of the following best describes the role of the thalamus in sensory processing relevant to pain management in disability care? → It acts as a relay station routing sensory signals to the appropriate cortical areas
26. A client's hearing aid is producing intermittent feedback (whistling). The first troubleshooting step should be: → Checking the earmold fit and cleaning the sound port
27. The Olmstead v. L.C. Supreme Court decision established that: → States must provide disability services in the most integrated setting appropriate
28. Why is it important to create a care plan for individuals with disabilities? → To provide a structured approach to addressing the individual’s needs.
29. What document outlines the specific rehabilitation goals, services, and responsibilities agreed upon by the client and their VR counselor? → Individual Plan for Employment (IPE)
30. When completing a community integration assessment, which domain should a CDS specialist prioritize when evaluating a client's functional abilities? → The client's daily living skills within their natural environment