Occupational Therapist Test Geriatric Care 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 66-year-old reports difficulty sleeping and increasing social isolation after retiring. This BEST describes which geriatric condition?
- Mild cognitive impairment
- Role loss and occupational deprivation (Correct answer)
- Major depressive disorder
- Normal aging adjustment
Correct answer: Role loss and occupational deprivation
Retirement can cause significant role loss, leading to occupational deprivation — a state in which the loss of meaningful activity contributes to isolation, sleep disruption, and reduced well-being.
Question 2: Which positioning strategy BEST prevents pressure injuries in a bedbound 85-year-old with limited mobility?
- 30-degree lateral tilt repositioning every 2 hours (Correct answer)
- Supine positioning with a pillow under the knees
- Prone positioning for 4-hour intervals
- Semi-Fowler's position maintained throughout the day
Correct answer: 30-degree lateral tilt repositioning every 2 hours
The 30-degree lateral tilt reduces peak pressure on bony prominences compared to a full side-lying position and should be alternated every 2 hours to prevent tissue ischemia.
Question 3: An OT screens an older adult and suspects elder abuse. What is the FIRST required action?
- Discuss suspicions with the family before reporting
- Document observations and report to Adult Protective Services (Correct answer)
- Consult with the physician before any action
- Confront the suspected abuser directly
Correct answer: Document observations and report to Adult Protective Services
OTs are mandated reporters; upon reasonable suspicion of elder abuse, they must document their observations and report immediately to Adult Protective Services without delay.
Question 4: Which principle of motor learning BEST supports gait training in a 73-year-old with hip replacement?
- Massed practice in a single long session
- Variable practice in different environments (Correct answer)
- Blocked practice on a smooth, even surface only
- Errorless learning with therapist-guided movement
Correct answer: Variable practice in different environments
Variable practice across different environments enhances motor generalization and prepares the patient to navigate real-world conditions encountered at home.
Question 5: A 71-year-old with macular degeneration wants to continue reading. What is the BEST low-vision OT intervention?
- Recommend stopping all reading activities
- Teach eccentric viewing and provide a magnifier (Correct answer)
- Refer solely to ophthalmology
- Increase room lighting only
Correct answer: Teach eccentric viewing and provide a magnifier
Teaching eccentric viewing uses peripheral retina to compensate for central scotoma, and a magnifier increases image size — together these maximize residual functional vision for reading.
Question 6: When completing a home safety evaluation for a 78-year-old with balance deficits, which bathroom modification is HIGHEST priority?
- Replace the toilet with a comfort-height model
- Install grab bars at the toilet and in the tub/shower (Correct answer)
- Add a non-slip bathmat outside the tub
- Place a shower chair in the bathroom
Correct answer: Install grab bars at the toilet and in the tub/shower
Grab bars at the toilet and in the bathing area address the highest-risk transfer and bathing tasks where falls most commonly occur in older adults.
Question 7: An OT observes that a 76-year-old with early dementia is no longer cooking safely. What is the BEST initial approach?
- Immediately restrict all kitchen access
- Simplify recipes and use appliance safety devices (Correct answer)
- Discharge from OT as the patient is no longer independent
- Recommend immediate placement in a memory care unit
Correct answer: Simplify recipes and use appliance safety devices
Simplifying meal preparation tasks and adding safety devices (e.g., stove knob covers, automatic shut-off) allows the client to continue participating in a meaningful IADL while mitigating hazards.
Occupational Therapist Test Geriatric Care 4
A 66-year-old reports difficulty sleeping and increasing social isolation after retiring.
This BEST describes which geriatric condition?