CMC Needs Assessment & Intake Forms 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During an intake assessment, a client reports intermittent dizziness when standing. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
- Document the symptom and proceed with the assessment
- Refer the client to a physician before continuing the mobility evaluation (Correct answer)
- Recommend a walker to prevent falls
- Measure the client's blood pressure
Correct answer: Refer the client to a physician before continuing the mobility evaluation
Intermittent dizziness upon standing may indicate orthostatic hypotension or another medical condition requiring physician clearance before a mobility assessment proceeds.
Question 2: Which component of the intake form captures the client's ability to perform daily activities without assistance?
- Medical history section
- Functional status and ADL inventory (Correct answer)
- Insurance verification section
- Environmental checklist
Correct answer: Functional status and ADL inventory
The functional status and ADL (Activities of Daily Living) inventory documents the client's current independence level for tasks such as bathing, dressing, and mobility.
Question 3: A caregiver accompanies a client with cognitive impairment to an intake appointment. When gathering history, the CMC should:
- Rely solely on the caregiver's account
- Exclude the caregiver and interview the client alone
- Gather information from both the client and caregiver while respecting the client's dignity (Correct answer)
- Postpone the assessment until legal guardianship is confirmed
Correct answer: Gather information from both the client and caregiver while respecting the client's dignity
Best practice is to involve both the client and caregiver to obtain accurate history while preserving the client's autonomy and dignity.
Question 4: Which measurement is MOST critical when assessing a client for a manual wheelchair during intake?
- Shoulder width
- Seated hip width (Correct answer)
- Standing height
- Arm span
Correct answer: Seated hip width
Seated hip width is the primary dimension used to determine wheelchair seat width to ensure proper fit and pressure distribution.
Question 5: An intake form includes a section on 'living situation.' Why is this information relevant to mobility equipment selection?
- It determines insurance eligibility
- It identifies environmental barriers that affect equipment choice (Correct answer)
- It establishes the client's income level
- It is required only for pediatric clients
Correct answer: It identifies environmental barriers that affect equipment choice
Living situation data reveals barriers such as stairs, narrow doorways, or carpet that directly influence which mobility device will be functional in the client's home.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of capturing a client's prior mobility equipment history on the intake form?
- To bill insurance for previous equipment
- To avoid recommending a device the client has already tried unsuccessfully (Correct answer)
- To determine the client's financial status
- To complete the manufacturer's warranty records
Correct answer: To avoid recommending a device the client has already tried unsuccessfully
Knowing what equipment was previously tried—and why it failed—prevents recommending ineffective solutions and guides a more tailored recommendation.
Question 7: During needs assessment, a CMC observes that a client's skin appears reddened over bony prominences. This finding should prompt:
- Immediate referral to a wound care specialist and documentation of the finding (Correct answer)
- Continuing the assessment without interruption
- Recommending a firmer seat cushion
- Scheduling a follow-up appointment in 30 days
Correct answer: Immediate referral to a wound care specialist and documentation of the finding
Redness over bony prominences is an early sign of pressure injury, requiring prompt referral and thorough documentation to prevent tissue breakdown.
CMC Needs Assessment & Intake Forms 2
During an intake assessment, a client reports intermittent dizziness when standing.
What is the most appropriate immediate action?