Equipment Operation & Maintenance Flashcards

When training a new client to use a power wheelchair joystick, which hazard awareness topic should be addressed first?

Answer: Tipping risks on inclines and uneven terrain

Tipping hazards on inclines and uneven surfaces pose immediate injury risk and must be the first safety topic covered in power wheelchair training.

The primary reason environmental controls (e.g., voice-activated smart home devices) used as assistive technology require periodic firmware updates is:

Answer: To maintain compatibility, security patches, and access to feature improvements

Firmware updates patch security vulnerabilities and ensure the device remains compatible with other smart systems the client depends on.

A client's hearing aid is producing intermittent feedback (whistling). The first troubleshooting step should be:

Answer: Checking the earmold fit and cleaning the sound port

Feedback is most commonly caused by an improperly fitting earmold or a blocked sound port, which are simple to check before escalating to device replacement.

Which OSHA standard is most directly applicable to workers who regularly perform mechanical patient lifts?

Answer: Safe Patient Handling guidelines under the general duty clause

OSHA's general duty clause enforces Safe Patient Handling programs to reduce musculoskeletal injuries in caregivers who perform lifts.

A specialist notices a client's manual wheelchair tires are worn smooth on one side only. This uneven wear most likely indicates:

Answer: A wheel alignment or camber problem requiring adjustment

One-sided tire wear is a classic symptom of wheel misalignment or incorrect camber, which increases rolling resistance and can cause drift.

A newly delivered power scooter has not been used. Before a client's first ride, the specialist should confirm:

Answer: That the device has been properly programmed to the client's weight and speed preferences by an ATP

An Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) must program the device settings to the individual's physical needs before first use to ensure safe control.

When a specialist observes that a grab bar in a client's bathroom has pulled away slightly from the wall, the correct action is:

Answer: Remove it from use and have a licensed contractor re-anchor it properly

Grab bars must be anchored into studs or with appropriate wall anchors by a contractor to support the required 250-lb load rating; improper repair creates a fall hazard.