Practice Questions NBCOT EXAM And
Answers.
A sixth grader with a diagnosis of athetoid cerebral palsy needs an adapted computer
for communication. Her upper extremity control is poor because of fluctuating muscle
tone. The COTA suggests that the BEST way for her to operate her computer is to use
a:
A. single pressure switch, firmly mounted within easy reach
B. lightweight keyboard placed at midline.
C. low-resistance mouse and pad.
D. mercury switch headband set to respond to minimal movement. -
\A. single pressure switch, firmly mounted within easy reach.
A child with fluctuating muscle tone lacks
A COTA observes that a 10-month-old child is able to sit alone by propping himself
forward on his arms, but consistently loses his balance when reaching for a toy. This
behavior MOST likely indicates:
A. a developmental delay.
B. unintegrated primitive reflexes.
C. normal development.
D. advanced development. -
\A. a developmental delay.
Typically developing children (answer C) should be able to sit unsupported for several
minutes by the age of 8 to 9 months; therefore, this child demonstrates delayed
development (answer A). The ability to sit while propped forward on his arms indicates
primitive reflexes have been integrated (answer B). Sitting unsupported earlier than 8
months could indicate advanced development (answer D).
An individual demonstrates the ability to pick up a penny from a flat surface. This
represents which of the following prehension patterns?
A. Lateral
B. Palmar
C. Tip
D. Three-jaw chuck -
\C. Tip.
Tip prehension is accomplished by flexing the IP joint of the thumb, and the PIP and
DIP joints of the finger, and bringing the tips of the thumb and finger together. This type
of prehension is used to pick up objects such as a pin, nail, or coin. Lateral prehension
pattern is used for holding a pen, utensil, or key. Palmar prehension (answer B), also
known as three-jaw chuck (answer D), is formed by positioning the thumb in opposition
,to the tips of the index and middle fingers, forming a pad-to-pad opposition. This form of
prehension is commonly used to lift objects from a flat surface and to tie a shoelace.
In screening a child who has been referred to OT, the PRIMARY goal of the OT
practitioner is to:
A. obtain necessary information for an occupational therapy consultation with teachers
or parents.
B. test a wide variety of developmental behaviors
C. establish an information base for the occupational therapy treatment plan
D. determine the need for further evaluation. -
\D. determine the need for further evaluation.
The purpose of screening is to determine whether further assessments are needed and,
if so, which tests would be appropriate for that child. A screening test is not designed for
planning programs (answer C) or consultation (answer A), and they do not test any
skills (answer B) in a comprehensive way.
A supermarket employee with obsessive-compulsive disorder takes an hour to stock 24
soup cans on the shelf. He reports that once he has placed all the cans on the shelf, he
removes them all and starts over because "all the labels were not lined up exactly in the
same direction." Which of the following methods would MOST effectively evaluate this
individual's work performance?
A. Functional assessment of work-related skills, such as carrying and opening cartons
and shelving items
B. Cognitive assessment using the Allen's Cognitive Levels evaluation
C. Verbal interview focusing on the requirements of the individual's job
D. Task evaluation using a "clean" medium like a puzzle -
\A. Functional assessment of work-related skills, such as carrying and opening cartons
and shelving items.
Observation of the individual performing actual job responsibilities will provide more
objective and measureable information about the individual's strengths and weaknesses
in the area of job performance than a verbal interview (answer C) or task evaluation
(answer D). Although a "dirty" medium may be contraindicated when initially working
with an individual with OCD of the washing type, it would not be an issue for this
individual because his OCD is of the checking type. There is nothing to indicate the
individual has cognitive deficits, therefore a cognitive evaluation (answer B) would not
be indicated.
A person with functional limitations in shoulder abduction and external rotation is
performing self-care activities. Which of the following is MOST essential for the COTA to
assess?
A. Buttoning a shirt
B. Combing the hair
C. Tucking in a shirt in the back
D. Tying a shoe -
, \B. Combing the hair.
An individual normally abducts and externally rotates the shoulder to comb his or her
hair; therefore, the individual is more likely to have difficulty in this area than any of the
others. Shoulder abduction is not required for buttoning a shirt (answer A) or tying a
shoe (answer D). Tucking in a shirt in the back (answer C) requires shoulder abduction
and internal rotation. Tying shoelaces (answer D) is less dependent on shoulder motion
than on hip and spine flexibility.
When evaluating sensation of an individual with hemiplegia, the COTA should FIRST:
A. apply the stimuli distally to proximally
B. test the involved area then the uninvolved area
C. present test stimuli in an organized pattern to improve reliability during retesting
D. apply the stimuli to the uninvolved area proximally to distally in a random pattern -
\D. apply the stimuli to the uninvolved area proximally to distally in a random pattern
The COTA is selecting activities for an 8-year-old child with Dechenne's muscular
dystrophy. Which of the following developmental issues is MOST important to consider
when identifying activities for this child?
A. Establishment of basic trust
B. Freedom to use his initiative
C. Development of self-identity
D. Reinforcement of competence -
\D. Reinforcement of competence.
According to Erikson, an 8-year old child is usually at the stage of industry versus
inferiority, during which time he or she develops a sense of competency. For a client
who is expected to lose motor function gradually, a treatment plan that will provide an
ongoing sense of competence (possibly in other areas) is especially relevant. Answers
A, B, and C describe other developmental issues identified by Erikson that are typically
achieved at other ages; basic trust (answer A) in infancy; initiative (answer B) during the
toddler years; and self-identity (answer C) during adolescence.
A school-age child with multiple handicaps is beginning to develop some controlled
movement in the upper extremities. It would be MOST appropriate to introduce switch
operated assistive technology when the child:
A. develops tolerance of an upright sitting posture
B. can reach and point with accuracy
C. demonstrates any reliable, controlled movement
D. develops isolated finger control -
\C. Demonstrates any reliable, controlled movement.
As long as the child can produce any reliable, controlled movement, switches can be
adapted to meet positioning and mobility needs. Accurate reach and pointing (answer
B) or isolated finger control (answer D) are not necessary to use simple pressure
Answers.
A sixth grader with a diagnosis of athetoid cerebral palsy needs an adapted computer
for communication. Her upper extremity control is poor because of fluctuating muscle
tone. The COTA suggests that the BEST way for her to operate her computer is to use
a:
A. single pressure switch, firmly mounted within easy reach
B. lightweight keyboard placed at midline.
C. low-resistance mouse and pad.
D. mercury switch headband set to respond to minimal movement. -
\A. single pressure switch, firmly mounted within easy reach.
A child with fluctuating muscle tone lacks
A COTA observes that a 10-month-old child is able to sit alone by propping himself
forward on his arms, but consistently loses his balance when reaching for a toy. This
behavior MOST likely indicates:
A. a developmental delay.
B. unintegrated primitive reflexes.
C. normal development.
D. advanced development. -
\A. a developmental delay.
Typically developing children (answer C) should be able to sit unsupported for several
minutes by the age of 8 to 9 months; therefore, this child demonstrates delayed
development (answer A). The ability to sit while propped forward on his arms indicates
primitive reflexes have been integrated (answer B). Sitting unsupported earlier than 8
months could indicate advanced development (answer D).
An individual demonstrates the ability to pick up a penny from a flat surface. This
represents which of the following prehension patterns?
A. Lateral
B. Palmar
C. Tip
D. Three-jaw chuck -
\C. Tip.
Tip prehension is accomplished by flexing the IP joint of the thumb, and the PIP and
DIP joints of the finger, and bringing the tips of the thumb and finger together. This type
of prehension is used to pick up objects such as a pin, nail, or coin. Lateral prehension
pattern is used for holding a pen, utensil, or key. Palmar prehension (answer B), also
known as three-jaw chuck (answer D), is formed by positioning the thumb in opposition
,to the tips of the index and middle fingers, forming a pad-to-pad opposition. This form of
prehension is commonly used to lift objects from a flat surface and to tie a shoelace.
In screening a child who has been referred to OT, the PRIMARY goal of the OT
practitioner is to:
A. obtain necessary information for an occupational therapy consultation with teachers
or parents.
B. test a wide variety of developmental behaviors
C. establish an information base for the occupational therapy treatment plan
D. determine the need for further evaluation. -
\D. determine the need for further evaluation.
The purpose of screening is to determine whether further assessments are needed and,
if so, which tests would be appropriate for that child. A screening test is not designed for
planning programs (answer C) or consultation (answer A), and they do not test any
skills (answer B) in a comprehensive way.
A supermarket employee with obsessive-compulsive disorder takes an hour to stock 24
soup cans on the shelf. He reports that once he has placed all the cans on the shelf, he
removes them all and starts over because "all the labels were not lined up exactly in the
same direction." Which of the following methods would MOST effectively evaluate this
individual's work performance?
A. Functional assessment of work-related skills, such as carrying and opening cartons
and shelving items
B. Cognitive assessment using the Allen's Cognitive Levels evaluation
C. Verbal interview focusing on the requirements of the individual's job
D. Task evaluation using a "clean" medium like a puzzle -
\A. Functional assessment of work-related skills, such as carrying and opening cartons
and shelving items.
Observation of the individual performing actual job responsibilities will provide more
objective and measureable information about the individual's strengths and weaknesses
in the area of job performance than a verbal interview (answer C) or task evaluation
(answer D). Although a "dirty" medium may be contraindicated when initially working
with an individual with OCD of the washing type, it would not be an issue for this
individual because his OCD is of the checking type. There is nothing to indicate the
individual has cognitive deficits, therefore a cognitive evaluation (answer B) would not
be indicated.
A person with functional limitations in shoulder abduction and external rotation is
performing self-care activities. Which of the following is MOST essential for the COTA to
assess?
A. Buttoning a shirt
B. Combing the hair
C. Tucking in a shirt in the back
D. Tying a shoe -
, \B. Combing the hair.
An individual normally abducts and externally rotates the shoulder to comb his or her
hair; therefore, the individual is more likely to have difficulty in this area than any of the
others. Shoulder abduction is not required for buttoning a shirt (answer A) or tying a
shoe (answer D). Tucking in a shirt in the back (answer C) requires shoulder abduction
and internal rotation. Tying shoelaces (answer D) is less dependent on shoulder motion
than on hip and spine flexibility.
When evaluating sensation of an individual with hemiplegia, the COTA should FIRST:
A. apply the stimuli distally to proximally
B. test the involved area then the uninvolved area
C. present test stimuli in an organized pattern to improve reliability during retesting
D. apply the stimuli to the uninvolved area proximally to distally in a random pattern -
\D. apply the stimuli to the uninvolved area proximally to distally in a random pattern
The COTA is selecting activities for an 8-year-old child with Dechenne's muscular
dystrophy. Which of the following developmental issues is MOST important to consider
when identifying activities for this child?
A. Establishment of basic trust
B. Freedom to use his initiative
C. Development of self-identity
D. Reinforcement of competence -
\D. Reinforcement of competence.
According to Erikson, an 8-year old child is usually at the stage of industry versus
inferiority, during which time he or she develops a sense of competency. For a client
who is expected to lose motor function gradually, a treatment plan that will provide an
ongoing sense of competence (possibly in other areas) is especially relevant. Answers
A, B, and C describe other developmental issues identified by Erikson that are typically
achieved at other ages; basic trust (answer A) in infancy; initiative (answer B) during the
toddler years; and self-identity (answer C) during adolescence.
A school-age child with multiple handicaps is beginning to develop some controlled
movement in the upper extremities. It would be MOST appropriate to introduce switch
operated assistive technology when the child:
A. develops tolerance of an upright sitting posture
B. can reach and point with accuracy
C. demonstrates any reliable, controlled movement
D. develops isolated finger control -
\C. Demonstrates any reliable, controlled movement.
As long as the child can produce any reliable, controlled movement, switches can be
adapted to meet positioning and mobility needs. Accurate reach and pointing (answer
B) or isolated finger control (answer D) are not necessary to use simple pressure
