Occupational Therapist Test Intervention Planning 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) becomes dysregulated during transitions between classroom activities. The MOST appropriate OT intervention is:
- Eliminating all transitions to prevent dysregulation
- Implementing a visual schedule and transition warning system (Correct answer)
- Increasing academic demands to build tolerance
- Referring the child to a behavioral psychologist only
Correct answer: Implementing a visual schedule and transition warning system
Visual schedules and transition warnings are evidence-based sensory-regulatory strategies that help children with ASD anticipate and manage transitions.
Question 2: When grading an activity for a client recovering from a hand injury, which change represents UPGRADING the activity?
- Providing a larger handle to reduce grip demand
- Introducing fine motor manipulation with smaller objects (Correct answer)
- Allowing more rest breaks during task completion
- Reducing the weight of objects being handled
Correct answer: Introducing fine motor manipulation with smaller objects
Upgrading an activity increases its challenge; using smaller objects requires greater fine motor precision and increased hand function demand.
Question 3: A newly injured client with a C6 spinal cord injury wants to feed himself independently. The MOST appropriate adaptive equipment recommendation is:
- Universal cuff with a utensil slot (Correct answer)
- Dynamic splint for wrist extension
- Mobile arm support for shoulder weakness
- Ball-bearing feeder for proximal muscle control
Correct answer: Universal cuff with a utensil slot
A universal cuff allows a client with C6 SCI to hold utensils using tenodesis grip, enabling independent self-feeding.
Question 4: An OT working in a school setting identifies a student who struggles with written output despite adequate fine motor skills. The MOST likely area to target in intervention is:
- Grip strength and hand strengthening
- Visual-motor integration and handwriting fluency (Correct answer)
- Oral language and reading comprehension
- Gross motor coordination and balance
Correct answer: Visual-motor integration and handwriting fluency
When fine motor skills are intact but written output is poor, visual-motor integration and handwriting fluency are the likely underlying factors to address.
Question 5: Which intervention strategy BEST reflects a top-down approach to occupational therapy practice?
- Strengthening specific muscle groups before beginning functional tasks
- Starting with the client's identified occupational performance problems (Correct answer)
- Assessing range of motion and sensation before goal setting
- Treating underlying neurological deficits before addressing daily activities
Correct answer: Starting with the client's identified occupational performance problems
A top-down approach begins with the client's occupational performance concerns and works backward to identify underlying factors, rather than starting with component skills.
Question 6: A client with rheumatoid arthritis reports joint pain and fatigue that limit homemaking activities. The OT should FIRST address:
- Isometric strengthening of small hand joints
- Joint protection principles and work simplification techniques (Correct answer)
- Splinting all involved joints for 24-hour wear
- Referral to physical therapy for pain management
Correct answer: Joint protection principles and work simplification techniques
Joint protection and work simplification directly address the client's functional limitations while minimizing joint stress during daily activities.
Question 7: In planning intervention for a client with COPD who reports dyspnea during bathing, the OT should prioritize:
- Increasing aerobic exercise capacity through vigorous activity
- Teaching diaphragmatic breathing and seated bathing techniques (Correct answer)
- Recommending the client bathe less frequently
- Referring the client to pulmonology before any OT intervention
Correct answer: Teaching diaphragmatic breathing and seated bathing techniques
Diaphragmatic breathing techniques combined with seated bathing reduce energy expenditure and dyspnea during the high-demand ADL of bathing.
Occupational Therapist Test Intervention Planning 3
A child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) becomes dysregulated during transitions between classroom activities.
The MOST appropriate OT intervention is: