OTC Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the OTC exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 OTC Exam Format at a Glance
📚 OTC Topics to Study (20)
✍️ Sample OTC Questions & Answers
1. Which of the following is the MOST significant factor contributing to thermal injury (burns) to the patient's skin during the application of a plaster cast?
The chemical reaction between plaster of Paris and water is exothermic, meaning it releases heat as it cures. Using water with a temperature greater than 24°C (75°F) dramatically increases the peak temperature of this reaction, significantly raising the risk of causing a thermal burn to the patient's underlying skin.
2. A wound left open to heal from the base upward through granulation tissue formation is healing by which method?
Secondary intention healing allows a wound to fill with granulation tissue from the bottom up when primary closure is not possible, such as in infected or contaminated wounds.
3. When applying skin traction to a patient's lower leg, which of the following areas requires careful padding to prevent a common nerve injury?
The head of the fibula, located on the outer side of the leg just below the knee, is where the common peroneal nerve is most superficial. Applying pressure here with traction straps or bandages can lead to nerve compression, resulting in foot drop and sensory deficits. Therefore, this area must be well-padded and the straps applied carefully to avoid this complication.
4. Which of the following describes the safest technique for an Orthopaedic Technologist to use when removing a cast with an oscillating cast saw?
A cast saw blade oscillates (vibrates back and forth) rather than spins. The correct and safest technique is to use a firm, plunging motion, pushing the blade through the cast material and then lifting it out before moving to the next adjacent spot. This method prevents the blade from dragging along the skin, which can cause friction burns or lacerations.
5. Which type of abnormal scar is characterized by excessive collagen growth that extends beyond the original wound boundary?
A keloid grows beyond the original wound margins due to excessive collagen deposition and does not regress spontaneously, unlike hypertrophic scars which stay within wound boundaries.
6. Before removing a surgical drain from a post-operative orthopaedic wound, what is the most important prerequisite action?
Drain removal must always be performed under a physician's order, as premature removal can lead to hematoma, seroma, or fluid accumulation.