NBCOT Assistive Technology and Adaptive Equipment — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When selecting assistive technology for a client, which factor should be the PRIMARY consideration?
- The cost of the device
- The client's goals and functional abilities (Correct answer)
- The ease of use for the caregiver
- The aesthetic appearance of the device
Correct answer: The client's goals and functional abilities
AT selection must be driven by the client's functional goals, performance skills, and personal preferences to ensure adoption and meaningful use. Cost, caregiver ease, and aesthetics are secondary considerations.
Question 2: A client with severe motor impairments has only reliable voluntary head movement. Which AAC access method is MOST appropriate?
- Direct selection using hands
- Eye gaze technology
- Switch scanning with a head switch (Correct answer)
- Sip-and-puff
Correct answer: Switch scanning with a head switch
A head switch with scanning allows the client to activate a switch with reliable head movement to navigate a scanning interface. Eye gaze requires good ocular motor control; direct selection requires hand use; sip-and-puff relies on oral motor function.
Question 3: A client with ALS is losing upper extremity function but retains functional voice. Which environmental control unit feature would MOST benefit this client?
- Touchscreen interface
- Voice-activated control (Correct answer)
- Single-switch scanning
- Remote control with large buttons
Correct answer: Voice-activated control
Voice activation allows the client to control environmental systems without motor input, compensating for progressive UE weakness. As ALS progresses voice may also decline, but it is the most functional current solution given retained speech.
Question 4: A client is discharged home with a new manual wheelchair. During AT training, the OT should address which skill FIRST?
- Wheelchair maintenance and cleaning
- Propulsion techniques on level surfaces (Correct answer)
- Transfers from the wheelchair to various surfaces
- Loading the wheelchair into a vehicle
Correct answer: Propulsion techniques on level surfaces
Basic propulsion on level surfaces is the foundational mobility skill that enables all other wheelchair-related activities. Safety and independence with basic mobility must be established before progressing to transfers, ramps, or vehicle loading.
Question 5: Which funding source would MOST likely cover assistive technology for a working-age adult whose TBI resulted from a motor vehicle accident?
- Medicare Part B
- Medicaid waiver
- Auto insurance or personal injury settlement (Correct answer)
- Vocational Rehabilitation
Correct answer: Auto insurance or personal injury settlement
AT costs resulting from a vehicle accident are typically covered by auto insurance or pursued through personal injury litigation. VR focuses on employment-related AT; Medicare/Medicaid have specific medical necessity requirements with separate eligibility criteria.
Question 6: A client with rheumatoid arthritis reports difficulty opening jars. The OT recommends a dycem mat and a built-up-handle jar opener. These items are BEST classified as:
- High-tech assistive technology
- Adaptive equipment for instrumental ADLs (Correct answer)
- Environmental modifications
- Orthotic interventions
Correct answer: Adaptive equipment for instrumental ADLs
Jar openers and dycem mats are low-tech adaptive equipment designed to compensate for reduced grip strength during IADLs such as meal preparation. They are not high-tech, do not alter the environment structurally, and are not orthoses.
NBCOT Assistive Technology and Adaptive Equipment
When selecting assistive technology for a client, which factor should be the PRIMARY consideration?