SMS Postural Support and Positioning 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary goal of a seating intervention for a client with progressive neurological disease?
- Eliminate all movement
- Optimize function and minimize deformity (Correct answer)
- Maximize cushion thickness
- Prevent wheelchair use
Correct answer: Optimize function and minimize deformity
Seating interventions aim to optimize remaining function while minimizing secondary deformities.
Question 2: Which postural deviation is characterized by lateral curvature of the spine?
- Kyphosis
- Lordosis
- Scoliosis (Correct answer)
- Pelvic obliquity
Correct answer: Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine that can affect seated posture and seating system design.
Question 3: A client presents with a posterior pelvic tilt in sitting. Which intervention is most appropriate first?
- Add a recline feature
- Assess for hip flexor tightness or fixed deformity (Correct answer)
- Increase seat depth
- Recommend a power tilt system
Correct answer: Assess for hip flexor tightness or fixed deformity
Posterior pelvic tilt often results from hip flexor tightness or fixed deformity, which must be assessed before selecting interventions.
Question 4: What does 'windswept' hip deformity refer to in seating?
- Both hips abducted symmetrically
- One hip adducted and internally rotated while the other is abducted and externally rotated (Correct answer)
- Bilateral hip flexion contractures
- Hip dislocation due to spasticity
Correct answer: One hip adducted and internally rotated while the other is abducted and externally rotated
Windswept deformity occurs when both lower extremities are rotated to the same side, with asymmetric hip positioning.
Question 5: Which seating component most directly addresses lateral trunk instability?
- Headrest
- Lateral trunk supports (Correct answer)
- Anti-tip device
- Footrest extender
Correct answer: Lateral trunk supports
Lateral trunk supports (sometimes called thoracic supports) are positioned to provide lateral stability to the trunk.
Question 6: When positioning a client with significant kyphosis, which seating adjustment can help maintain upright head position?
- Increasing seat height
- Increasing back angle or using a recline/tilt feature (Correct answer)
- Adding medial knee supports
- Lowering footrest height
Correct answer: Increasing back angle or using a recline/tilt feature
Increasing back angle or using tilt/recline can accommodate thoracic kyphosis while maintaining head position.
SMS Postural Support and Positioning 1
What is the primary goal of a seating intervention for a client with progressive neurological disease?