Occupational Therapy Assistant Flashcards

Which of the following does reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) of the hand not manifest as?

Answer: Absence of sensation

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), now commonly known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), is characterized by chronic pain, swelling, and changes in skin color and temperature. Patients typically experience hypersensitivity (allodynia or hyperalgesia) to touch, rather than an absence of sensation. Therefore, a lack of sensation is not a typical manifestation of RSD; instead, heightened and often excruciating pain is a hallmark symptom.

Which of the following could be used to reduce spasticity?

Answer: Slow rocking

Slow, rhythmic, and sustained movements, such as slow rocking or gentle rotation, are inhibitory techniques used to reduce spasticity. These types of movements provide calming vestibular input and can help to relax hypertonic muscles by decreasing neural excitability. Conversely, techniques like icing, tapping the muscle belly, or using vibration are typically facilitatory and can increase muscle tone or arousal, making them less suitable for reducing spasticity.

When working on feeding with a child, which of the following can cause lip closure?

Answer: Brushing the lips

Brushing the lips, particularly with a soft brush or a gloved finger, provides tactile input that can stimulate the oral motor muscles responsible for lip closure. This sensory stimulation helps to increase awareness and facilitate muscle activation around the mouth, improving a child's ability to achieve and maintain lip closure during feeding. This technique directly targets the motor control needed for effective feeding.

Which frame of reference should be used in a patient who is post-distal radius fracture to increase wrist extension?

Answer: Biomechanical

The biomechanical frame of reference is most appropriate for a patient post-distal radius fracture aiming to increase wrist extension. This frame focuses on restoring physical function by addressing underlying deficits in range of motion, strength, and endurance. Interventions would involve exercises, stretching, and potentially modalities to improve joint mobility and muscle power, directly targeting the physical limitations caused by the fracture.

A 38-year-old man who sustained a burn to his right hand has requested that you make a resting hand splint for him from your supervision OTR. What does the splint serve as?

Answer: To prevent deformity of the hand

For a burn to the hand, a resting hand splint is crucial for positioning the hand in a functional and anti-deformity position. Burns can lead to significant scarring and contractures, which can pull the hand into non-functional positions (e.g., a claw hand deformity). The splint helps maintain the hand in a position that counteracts these forces, such as wrist extension, MCP flexion, and IP extension, thereby preventing long-term deformities and preserving future hand function.

Often interfering with prosthesis training or use is a sort of felt discomfort in the amputated limb known as:

Answer: phantom pain

Phantom pain is a common and often debilitating sensation experienced by individuals after an amputation, where they perceive pain in the part of the limb that is no longer physically present. It is distinct from phantom sensations, which are non-painful feelings of the missing limb. Phantom pain can significantly interfere with prosthesis training and daily activities, making it a major challenge in rehabilitation.

Which of the following represents restitution for a decreased balance?

Answer: Spreading the feet apart

Spreading the feet apart widens the base of support, which is a fundamental compensatory strategy to increase stability and improve balance. A wider base of support provides a larger area for the body's center of gravity to move within before it falls outside the boundaries, making it more difficult to lose balance. This is a common and effective method individuals use to maintain equilibrium when experiencing decreased balance.