OT Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield OT facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What on the list below does not belong to the sternum? → Zygomatic process
2. What is the normal range of MCP joint flexion measured with a goniometer? → 85–90°
3. Which patient-reported outcome measure is MOST commonly used to assess upper extremity disability in musculoskeletal conditions? → DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) questionnaire
4. The SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests) primarily assesses: → Sensory processing and praxis abilities in children ages 4-8
5. Which reflex, if persistent beyond 6 months in infants, interferes with rolling and bilateral hand use? → Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)
6. Which stage of recovery from a sports injury is functional integration? → Phase three
7. Two vertebral bodies, a disc, facet joints, and ligaments make up the smallest functional spinal unit at each level of the spine, with the exception of - → C1-C2
8. Which intervention is CONTRAINDICATED during the acute inflammatory phase of a musculoskeletal injury? → Resistive strengthening exercises
9. You spot a woman with a "clawed hand" in the mall. Her distal phalanges are flexible. The injured nerve and most likely area are both . → the ulnar nerve, lateral to the pisiform bone
10. Which OT model specifically guides understanding of how habits and routines support mental health recovery? → Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) — habituation subsystem
11. A client with major depressive disorder declines to participate in morning ADL routines. The BEST OT strategy is: → Begin with brief, achievable tasks within the client's capacity and build gradually
12. Which type of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device uses pre-programmed vocabulary organized by topic pages? → Speech-generating device (SGD) with dynamic display
13. Which cognitive perceptual deficit causes a client to be unable to recognize familiar faces after a right hemisphere stroke? → Prosopagnosia
14. When recommending a power wheelchair, the seating evaluation MUST address which factor FIRST? → Postural support and pressure relief needs
15. the syndrome of autosomal recessive family cancer is → Ataxia-telangiectasia
16. Which work rehabilitation approach is used when a client with mental illness needs to build work skills in a real, paid employment setting? → Supported Employment (Individual Placement and Support model)
17. Special sensory cranial nerve components are not connected to: → Vagus nerve
18. The COPM (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure) is most useful in mental health OT because it: → Identifies client-perceived occupational performance problems and satisfaction
19. Flex the shoulder from an extended posture and check to see if the humerus is moving on the scapula or the other way around. → Humerus is moving on the scapula
20. The brain's Brodmann's region No. 4 stands for - → Primary motor cortex area
21. A client with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) presents with progressive upper and lower extremity weakness. The OT's PRIORITY should be: → Energy conservation and adaptive equipment to maintain independence
22. A patient is 4 weeks post-Colles' fracture. Which intervention is MOST appropriate at this stage? → Active range of motion exercises within pain tolerance
23. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) includes: → 18 activities
24. A client with spastic cerebral palsy has difficulty with eating due to involuntary arm movements. Which adaptive equipment is MOST helpful? → Weighted utensils and non-slip plate guard
25. Which recovery-oriented principle should guide OT practice in mental health settings? → Self-determination and client-directed goal setting
26. The quickest method to resynthesize ATP while exercising is - → Phosphocreatine breakdown
27. What bone has the moniker "atlas"? → The first cervical vertebra
28. An OT is treating a child with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Which seating modification is MOST important for improving upper extremity function? → Pelvis and trunk stabilization with proper hip angle
29. A twelve-month-old is being evaluated by a therapist in a clinical setting. Which of the following landmarks is not likely to have materialized? → Controls walking by starting and stopping with intention
30. The role of OT in an assistive technology evaluation is BEST described as: → Assess client needs and match to AT devices; train in use and monitor outcomes