OTC Orthopaedic Technologist Certification 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The primary purpose of stockinette applied beneath a cast is to:
- Provide additional structural rigidity
- Protect the skin and provide a smooth inner surface (Correct answer)
- Reduce the weight of the cast
- Prevent moisture from entering the cast
Correct answer: Protect the skin and provide a smooth inner surface
Stockinette protects the skin from plaster or fiberglass abrasion and is folded back over the cast edges to create a smooth, padded border.
Question 2: A Colles' fracture is best described as a:
- Distal radius fracture with volar angulation
- Distal radius fracture with dorsal angulation and radial shortening (Correct answer)
- Fracture of the ulnar styloid only
- Intra-articular fracture of the distal radius
Correct answer: Distal radius fracture with dorsal angulation and radial shortening
A Colles' fracture is a distal radius fracture with dorsal angulation, producing the classic 'dinner fork' deformity and often radial shortening.
Question 3: During cast removal, the cast saw should be moved in which motion to minimize skin injury?
- Continuous sweeping side-to-side motion
- Up-and-down plunge motion without lateral sweeping (Correct answer)
- Circular rotating motion
- Single straight cut from proximal to distal
Correct answer: Up-and-down plunge motion without lateral sweeping
The cast saw oscillates and should be used with an up-and-down plunge technique rather than dragging to avoid heat buildup and skin lacerations.
Question 4: Which fracture pattern is most commonly associated with child abuse in pediatric patients?
- Greenstick fracture
- Transverse mid-shaft fracture
- Classic metaphyseal lesion (bucket-handle fracture) (Correct answer)
- Torus fracture
Correct answer: Classic metaphyseal lesion (bucket-handle fracture)
Classic metaphyseal lesions, also called corner or bucket-handle fractures, are highly specific for non-accidental trauma in infants and young children.
Question 5: When a patient is in a long leg cast and reports extreme pain, swelling, and a foul odor, the OT should first:
- Reassure the patient and schedule a follow-up appointment
- Immediately notify the supervising physician (Correct answer)
- Administer analgesics and observe for 24 hours
- Bivalve the cast to relieve pressure without physician notification
Correct answer: Immediately notify the supervising physician
These signs may indicate infection or compartment syndrome, both of which are emergencies requiring immediate physician evaluation.
Question 6: The Ottawa Ankle Rules help clinicians determine the need for:
- Immobilization type for confirmed fractures
- Radiographic imaging after ankle injury (Correct answer)
- Surgical referral criteria
- Weight-bearing restrictions post-fracture
Correct answer: Radiographic imaging after ankle injury
The Ottawa Ankle Rules are clinical decision tools that identify which ankle and foot injuries require X-rays to rule out fracture.
Question 7: A figure-of-eight brace is most commonly used for fractures of the:
- Humerus
- Clavicle (Correct answer)
- Scapula
- Sternum
Correct answer: Clavicle
Figure-of-eight braces retract the shoulders posteriorly to maintain alignment of midshaft clavicle fractures.
OTC Orthopaedic Technologist Certification 3
The primary purpose of stockinette applied beneath a cast is to: