CMC Mobility Solutions & Product Knowledge 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client with ALS is transitioning from manual to power mobility. Which power wheelchair drive wheel configuration is preferred when trunk control is declining but upper extremity function remains?
- Rear-wheel drive
- Mid-wheel drive (Correct answer)
- Front-wheel drive
- Omni-directional drive
Correct answer: Mid-wheel drive
Mid-wheel drive power wheelchairs offer the tightest turning radius, which is advantageous for indoor navigation as trunk control declines.
Question 2: When fitting a client with a tilt-in-space manual wheelchair, what is the primary therapeutic goal of tilt?
- Improving visual field orientation
- Pressure redistribution off ischial tuberosities without changing hip angle (Correct answer)
- Increasing wheelchair propulsion efficiency
- Reducing lower extremity edema
Correct answer: Pressure redistribution off ischial tuberosities without changing hip angle
Tilt-in-space shifts the weight-bearing surface without changing the hip flexion angle, effectively redistributing pressure from the ischials.
Question 3: A CMC consultant is assessing a van conversion for a client with high-level SCI who drives from their power wheelchair. Which feature is mandatory for safe driving position?
- Spinner knob on the steering wheel
- Certified WTORS (Wheelchair Tie-Down and Occupant Restraint System) compliant securement (Correct answer)
- Panoramic rearview camera
- Extended side mirrors
Correct answer: Certified WTORS (Wheelchair Tie-Down and Occupant Restraint System) compliant securement
WTORS-compliant tie-down and occupant restraint systems are mandatory to safely secure the wheelchair and protect the driver in a crash.
Question 4: Which caster wheel size is best suited for a manual wheelchair user who frequently navigates outdoor uneven terrain?
- 3-inch hard plastic casters
- 5-inch pneumatic casters (Correct answer)
- 2-inch swivel casters
- 4-inch rigid polyurethane casters
Correct answer: 5-inch pneumatic casters
Larger pneumatic casters absorb shock and roll more easily over uneven outdoor surfaces compared to smaller hard casters.
Question 5: A driver with right hemiplegia needs to operate a vehicle safely. Which adaptation addresses steering with one functional hand?
- Left-foot accelerator
- Steering wheel spinner knob (Correct answer)
- Voice-activated ignition
- Panoramic mirror system
Correct answer: Steering wheel spinner knob
A spinner knob allows single-hand steering control, enabling the driver to turn the wheel fully with their functional hand.
Question 6: Which mobility device is most appropriate for a client with Parkinson's disease experiencing freezing of gait episodes on level indoor surfaces?
- Standard quad cane
- U-step rollator with laser line cueing feature (Correct answer)
- Hemi walker
- Wheeled walker without brakes
Correct answer: U-step rollator with laser line cueing feature
The U-step rollator's laser cueing line provides visual stepping cues that help interrupt freezing episodes common in Parkinson's disease.
Question 7: A bariatric client weighing 450 lbs requires a power wheelchair. Beyond weight capacity, which additional specification is most important to verify?
- Color and aesthetic options
- Seat width, depth, and structural frame reinforcement (Correct answer)
- Bluetooth accessory compatibility
- Battery brand and country of manufacture
Correct answer: Seat width, depth, and structural frame reinforcement
Seat dimensions and frame structural integrity must accommodate the client's body size and weight distribution, not just meet the stated weight limit.
CMC Mobility Solutions & Product Knowledge 3
A client with ALS is transitioning from manual to power mobility.
Which power wheelchair drive wheel configuration is preferred when trunk control is declining but upper extremity function remains?