Occupational Therapist Test Occupational Therapist 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of splint is used to prevent flexion contractures of the wrist in a patient with spasticity following a stroke?
- Resting hand splint (volar) (Correct answer)
- Dynamic flexion splint
- Ulnar deviation splint
- Thumb spica splint
Correct answer: Resting hand splint (volar)
A volar resting hand splint positions the wrist and fingers in extension and functional alignment to counteract spastic flexor tone and prevent contracture.
Question 2: An OT is completing a driver rehabilitation evaluation. Which cognitive deficit would most immediately disqualify a client from returning to driving?
- Severe impulsivity with inability to inhibit responses (Correct answer)
- Mild short-term memory difficulty
- Reduced processing speed with intact safety awareness
- Mild visual field deficit compensated by head turning
Correct answer: Severe impulsivity with inability to inhibit responses
Severe impulsivity that prevents response inhibition poses an immediate safety risk in driving, as the driver cannot reliably stop dangerous actions.
Question 3: When grading an activity for a client with low endurance, which modification reflects downgrading the task?
- Allowing the client to sit rather than stand during the activity (Correct answer)
- Increasing the number of repetitions required
- Adding resistance to the task
- Requiring the client to complete the task faster
Correct answer: Allowing the client to sit rather than stand during the activity
Allowing sitting reduces the postural demands and energy expenditure, making the activity less taxing for a client with low endurance.
Question 4: A client with COPD is learning energy conservation techniques. Which principle is MOST important for the OT to teach?
- Exhale during exertion and pace activities with rest breaks (Correct answer)
- Perform all activities in the morning when energy is highest
- Avoid any activity that causes breathlessness
- Increase walking speed to finish tasks quickly and rest longer
Correct answer: Exhale during exertion and pace activities with rest breaks
Exhaling during exertion reduces intrathoracic pressure and combines with pacing strategies to help clients with COPD manage breathlessness during daily tasks.
Question 5: Which frame of reference guides OT intervention when the goal is to restore underlying neurological function after brain injury?
- Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) / Bobath approach (Correct answer)
- Biomechanical frame of reference
- Cognitive-behavioral frame of reference
- Compensatory/adaptive frame of reference
Correct answer: Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) / Bobath approach
NDT aims to normalize tone and movement patterns to facilitate neuroplasticity and restore function, rather than simply compensating for deficits.
Question 6: A pediatric OT notices a 4-year-old cannot yet skip. According to developmental norms, how should the OT interpret this finding?
- This is within normal limits; skipping typically develops around age 5 (Correct answer)
- This indicates a significant gross motor delay requiring immediate referral
- This suggests a vestibular processing disorder
- This is a red flag for autism spectrum disorder
Correct answer: This is within normal limits; skipping typically develops around age 5
Skipping is a developmental milestone typically achieved around age 5, so its absence at age 4 is within normal developmental expectations.
Question 7: An OT is assessing work-related musculoskeletal risk. Which ergonomic factor most contributes to repetitive strain injury?
- Highly repetitive movements combined with forceful exertion (Correct answer)
- Occasional heavy lifting with proper body mechanics
- Use of a standing desk for part of the workday
- Working in a temperature-controlled environment
Correct answer: Highly repetitive movements combined with forceful exertion
The combination of high repetition and forceful exertion significantly increases cumulative trauma to tendons and muscles, leading to repetitive strain injuries.
Occupational Therapist Test Occupational Therapist 3
Which type of splint is used to prevent flexion contractures of the wrist in a patient with spasticity following a stroke?