California Occupational Therapy
Assistant Licensing Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. An OTA is working with a client recovering from a stroke who has
difficulty dressing due to left-sided weakness. Which strategy is MOST
appropriate to promote independence?
• Use a button hook for all shirts
• Instruct the client to dress the affected side first
• Encourage maximal assistance for safety
• Avoid all fasteners
Instructing the client to dress the affected side first promotes
independence by reducing the effort required to dress that limb and
increasing functional use of the unaffected side.
2. Which frame of reference focuses on changing a person’s thoughts
and beliefs to improve occupational performance?
• Biomechanical
, • Sensory Integration
• Cognitive Behavioral
• Developmental
Cognitive Behavioral Frame of Reference focuses on changing negative
thought patterns and promoting positive behaviors to support
participation in daily life.
3. An OTA documents that a client required 25% assistance to complete
grooming tasks. What level of assistance does this indicate?
• Dependent
• Maximal assistance
• Moderate assistance
• Minimal assistance
Minimal assistance refers to the patient performing 75% or more of the
task independently.
4. An OTA working in a skilled nursing facility is providing services under
Medicare Part A. What is a key documentation requirement?
• Daily billing summaries
• Treatment minutes and progress toward goals
• Verbal orders from MD only
• Discharge notes only
Medicare Part A requires detailed documentation of skilled intervention
minutes and measurable progress toward established goals.
, 5. What is the primary focus of occupational therapy intervention in
acute care?
• Long-term skill development
• Stabilization and early mobilization
• Return to work training
• Community reintegration
In acute care, OT aims to support stabilization and functional recovery for
discharge planning.
6. When fabricating a resting hand splint, what position should the MCP
joints be placed in?
• Full extension
• 45–60 degrees of flexion
• Neutral
• Hyperextension
MCPs are generally placed in a functional flexed position (45–60°) to
maintain joint alignment and prevent contractures.
7. A 3-year-old child is struggling with fine motor tasks. Which activity is
MOST appropriate to promote development?
• Tracing dotted lines
• Holding a pencil to write letters
• Stringing large beads
• Copying a square
, Stringing beads develops hand-eye coordination and pincer grasp
appropriate for a 3-year-old.
8. A client with Parkinson’s disease has bradykinesia. Which technique
would be MOST effective?
• Encourage multitasking
• Use rhythmic auditory cues during movement
• Suggest high-intensity activities
• Provide weighted utensils
Rhythmic cues help initiate and maintain movement in individuals with
bradykinesia.
9. An OTA observes that a client with dementia is becoming agitated
during bathing. What is the MOST appropriate response?
• Proceed quickly to finish
• Turn off all lights
• Use a calm tone and simplify instructions
• Provide detailed explanations
Simple instructions and a calm demeanor help reduce confusion and
agitation.
10. An OTA working in pediatrics is planning a session using the
Sensory Integration approach. What is a key principle?
• Child-led activities in a playful context
• Therapist-directed tasks for compliance
• Standardized sensory testing
Assistant Licensing Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. An OTA is working with a client recovering from a stroke who has
difficulty dressing due to left-sided weakness. Which strategy is MOST
appropriate to promote independence?
• Use a button hook for all shirts
• Instruct the client to dress the affected side first
• Encourage maximal assistance for safety
• Avoid all fasteners
Instructing the client to dress the affected side first promotes
independence by reducing the effort required to dress that limb and
increasing functional use of the unaffected side.
2. Which frame of reference focuses on changing a person’s thoughts
and beliefs to improve occupational performance?
• Biomechanical
, • Sensory Integration
• Cognitive Behavioral
• Developmental
Cognitive Behavioral Frame of Reference focuses on changing negative
thought patterns and promoting positive behaviors to support
participation in daily life.
3. An OTA documents that a client required 25% assistance to complete
grooming tasks. What level of assistance does this indicate?
• Dependent
• Maximal assistance
• Moderate assistance
• Minimal assistance
Minimal assistance refers to the patient performing 75% or more of the
task independently.
4. An OTA working in a skilled nursing facility is providing services under
Medicare Part A. What is a key documentation requirement?
• Daily billing summaries
• Treatment minutes and progress toward goals
• Verbal orders from MD only
• Discharge notes only
Medicare Part A requires detailed documentation of skilled intervention
minutes and measurable progress toward established goals.
, 5. What is the primary focus of occupational therapy intervention in
acute care?
• Long-term skill development
• Stabilization and early mobilization
• Return to work training
• Community reintegration
In acute care, OT aims to support stabilization and functional recovery for
discharge planning.
6. When fabricating a resting hand splint, what position should the MCP
joints be placed in?
• Full extension
• 45–60 degrees of flexion
• Neutral
• Hyperextension
MCPs are generally placed in a functional flexed position (45–60°) to
maintain joint alignment and prevent contractures.
7. A 3-year-old child is struggling with fine motor tasks. Which activity is
MOST appropriate to promote development?
• Tracing dotted lines
• Holding a pencil to write letters
• Stringing large beads
• Copying a square
, Stringing beads develops hand-eye coordination and pincer grasp
appropriate for a 3-year-old.
8. A client with Parkinson’s disease has bradykinesia. Which technique
would be MOST effective?
• Encourage multitasking
• Use rhythmic auditory cues during movement
• Suggest high-intensity activities
• Provide weighted utensils
Rhythmic cues help initiate and maintain movement in individuals with
bradykinesia.
9. An OTA observes that a client with dementia is becoming agitated
during bathing. What is the MOST appropriate response?
• Proceed quickly to finish
• Turn off all lights
• Use a calm tone and simplify instructions
• Provide detailed explanations
Simple instructions and a calm demeanor help reduce confusion and
agitation.
10. An OTA working in pediatrics is planning a session using the
Sensory Integration approach. What is a key principle?
• Child-led activities in a playful context
• Therapist-directed tasks for compliance
• Standardized sensory testing
