OTC Orthopaedic Technologist Certification 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following BEST describes a Salter-Harris Type II fracture?
- Fracture through the physis only
- Fracture through the physis and metaphysis (Correct answer)
- Fracture through the physis and epiphysis
- Fracture through the epiphysis into the joint
Correct answer: Fracture through the physis and metaphysis
Salter-Harris Type II fractures cross through the physis and extend into the metaphysis, making them the most common physeal fracture type.
Question 2: When padding a cast, bony prominences such as the fibular head should receive:
- No additional padding to maintain cast conformity
- Extra padding to prevent pressure sores (Correct answer)
- A felt donut pad only if pain is reported
- Rigid plastic padding to distribute load
Correct answer: Extra padding to prevent pressure sores
Bony prominences are at high risk for pressure necrosis and must receive extra cast padding to prevent skin breakdown.
Question 3: A patellar tendon-bearing (PTB) cast or brace is used primarily for fractures of the:
- Distal femur
- Proximal tibia
- Tibial shaft (Correct answer)
- Distal tibia
Correct answer: Tibial shaft
PTB functional bracing transfers weight-bearing load through the patellar tendon and soft tissues, most commonly used for tibial shaft fractures.
Question 4: Which position is recommended for the wrist when applying a cock-up wrist splint for carpal tunnel syndrome?
- 10-20 degrees of flexion
- Neutral to slight extension (0-10 degrees) (Correct answer)
- 30-40 degrees of extension
- Full pronation with neutral wrist
Correct answer: Neutral to slight extension (0-10 degrees)
A neutral to slight extension position minimizes pressure within the carpal tunnel and reduces median nerve compression.
Question 5: Hip spica casts are most commonly applied in pediatric patients for management of:
- Femoral shaft fractures and developmental dysplasia of the hip (Correct answer)
- Patellar fractures
- Ankle fractures with significant swelling
- Isolated tibial fractures
Correct answer: Femoral shaft fractures and developmental dysplasia of the hip
Hip spica casts encompass the abdomen and one or both lower extremities and are used for femoral fractures and post-reduction stabilization of hip dysplasia in children.
Question 6: The 'unhappy triad' of the knee involves injury to the:
- PCL, LCL, and lateral meniscus
- ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus (Correct answer)
- ACL, PCL, and LCL
- MCL, LCL, and lateral meniscus
Correct answer: ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus
The unhappy triad (O'Donoghue's triad) classically describes combined injury to the ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus from a valgus force with external rotation.
Question 7: When setting plaster of Paris casting material, the exothermic reaction can reach temperatures high enough to cause burns. To reduce this risk, the OT should:
- Use warm water to accelerate setting
- Use cool water and avoid excess plaster thickness (Correct answer)
- Apply the cast over wet stockinette only
- Pre-soak rolls in hot water for uniform setting
Correct answer: Use cool water and avoid excess plaster thickness
Cool water slows the setting reaction and reduces peak temperature; thick sections also trap more heat, so excessive layers should be avoided.
OTC Orthopaedic Technologist Certification 4
Which of the following BEST describes a Salter-Harris Type II fracture?