NBCOT Questions with Answers for
OTRs.
An OTR® is evaluating a new client and notes that the client has a bluish tinge to the
skin and lips. The client also presents with significant edema. Which medical condition
is this client MOST likely to have?
A. Emphysema
B. Chronic bronchitis
C. Cystic fibrosis
D. Cirrhosis of the liver -
\B. Chronic bronchitis - poor oxygenation, resulting in a bluish tinge to skin and lips,
along c edema
A. Emphysema - pinkish skin
C. Cystic fibrosis - yellowing of skin
D. Cirrhosis of liver - orange tint to skin
Over whom does the AOTA Ethics Commission have jurisdiction?
A. All AOTA members
B. All graduates of accredited OT and OTA programs
C. Licensed OTs and OTAs but not occupational therapy educators
D. OTAs and OTs with AOTA membership at the time of an alleged incident -
\D. The AOTA Ethics Commission does not have jurisdiction over occupational therapy
practitioners who were never AOTA members or who were not members when the
incident in question occurred.
A, B, C: Not all OTs and OTAs are AOTA members
A softball player sustained a deep partial-thickness burn to the anterior aspect of the
right arm from the wrist, proximal to the ulnar styloid process, to the mid-upper arm. A
split-thickness skin graft from thigh to mid-forearm was performed 3 days postinjury. To
minimize the risk of graft rejection in the initial phase (7 days postinjury), in what should
the client be instructed?
A. Daily active pronation and supination exercises at least 5 times per day
B. Desensitization using ice to gently -
\D. During the initial phase post-skin graft operation, it is important to maintain
immobilization for 2-7 days or per the physician's specific instruction.
Which occupational therapy group would benefit MOST from a highly directive and
authoritative leadership style?
A. A group of preschool children exploring sensory experiences
,B. A group of adolescents attending a gang prevention group in an alternative education
setting in which they have been placed for behavioral issues stemming from a diagnosis
of oppositional defiant disorder
C. A group of middle-aged clients in an outpatient day treatment setting who are
learning to manage their depression -
\B:Adolescents, particularly those diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder, need
boundaries, and an authoritative leadership style is critical to successfully managing this
group.
D incorrect: Although elements of a voluntary group for well elders may require the
OTR® to be more directive at times, such as during an exercise session, overall the
group focus should be client centered.
A client was referred to occupational therapy because of persistent pain in the neck and
shoulder and the recent onset of paresthesia in the right index and middle fingers. The
OTR® decides that the symptoms may be work related and proceeds with an onsite
ergonomic assessment. During the ergonomic assessment, the OTR® observes that
the client uses the mouse 80% of the time. What will the OTR® MOST likely
recommend?
A. Using a vertical mouse and placing it at desktop level
B. Changing to a lap -
\C: Frequent stretches and movements away from the static posture and prolonged use
of a mouse is another strategy to prevent repetitions and muscle strain.
A: Putting the mouse at regular desktop height is usually too high for most workers and
can lead to shoulder tension.
B: From an ergonomic standpoint, using a laptop without modifying the level of the
monitor screen or the keyboard may lead to other musculoskeletal symptoms.
D: Job changes are usually not part of the recommendations after an ergonomic
assessment.
An OTR® is performing an initial evaluation of a client with an acute full-thickness burn
to the dorsum hand involving all digits. The OTR® is applying Boutonniére precaution
and avoiding having the patient form active or passive composite flexion of the fingers.
What is the MOST APPROPRIATE clinical reasoning for this approach?
A. The tensile strength of the burned skin will not allow for composite flexion of the
fingers.
B. A bulky dressing on the hand will limit the ability to form composi -
\D: The extensor dorsal hood lies superficially at the proximal interphalangeal joint and
will likely be damaged in a full-thickness burn to the dorsum hand. Until the integrity of
the extensor dorsal hood is verified, Boutonniére precaution should be applied during
evaluation and intervention.
A: If the integrity of the dorsal hood has been verified, then it is important to stretch the
dorsal burn area by doing active composite flexion of the fingers.
, B: If the integrity of the dorsal hood has been verified, bulky dressing might limit the
composite movement of fingers but should not be preventing active or passive
movement to prevent contracture development.
C: Unless it is during the initial post-skin graft period, total immobilization is not needed
in a postburn management program.
An OTR® is working with a client diagnosed with fibromyalgia who is experiencing
disturbed sleep patterns. Which cognitive areas of functioning are disturbed sleep
patterns MOST likely to interfere with?
A. Arousal and orientation
B. Sequencing and categorization
C. Initiation of movement and language
D. Attention span and short-term memory -
\D. Nonrestorative sleep, fatigue, and pain interfere with the client's ability to pay
attention and remember day-to-day events.
A, B, C: Arousal and orientation, sequencing and categorization, and initiation of
movement and language are cognitive deficits and are most likely to be the result of
traumatic brain injury or cerebrovascular accident, not fibromyalgia.
An OTR®; wants to find an evidence-based rationale for using a sensory integration
intervention with at-risk youths. What must the OTR do FIRST to construct an evidence
base for practice?
A. Access available databases to search the literature for evidence regarding sensory
integration and at-risk youths.
B. Evaluate whether peer-reviewed articles from five journals support using a sensory
integration intervention with at-risk youths.
C. Develop a question to guide a literature search for inform -
\C: The first step in systematically integrating research evidence into practice is writing
an "answerable" question that can guide a literature review.
A: An "answerable" question must be written before searching the literature.
B: The existing literature cannot be gathered or evaluated until an "answerable"
question has been written to guide the literature review.
D: An "answerable" question must be developed and answered to guide the literature
review before evidence can be applied to practice.
A client's family purchased an ultra lightweight wheelchair (K0005) for the client. It has
the correct seat height, seat width, and seat depth, but the client has difficulty propelling
it. The OTR® asks the client to demonstrate moving the chair forward. What two
potential problems would the OTR® FIRST focus on?
A. Location of the axle in relation to the client's center of gravity, seat-back height
B. Height of seat back, position of leg rests
C. Position of leg rests, location of axle in rela -
\A: If the axle is behind the client's center of gravity, the client may not be able to grasp
enough of the pushrim during propulsion, making movement less efficient; if the seat
OTRs.
An OTR® is evaluating a new client and notes that the client has a bluish tinge to the
skin and lips. The client also presents with significant edema. Which medical condition
is this client MOST likely to have?
A. Emphysema
B. Chronic bronchitis
C. Cystic fibrosis
D. Cirrhosis of the liver -
\B. Chronic bronchitis - poor oxygenation, resulting in a bluish tinge to skin and lips,
along c edema
A. Emphysema - pinkish skin
C. Cystic fibrosis - yellowing of skin
D. Cirrhosis of liver - orange tint to skin
Over whom does the AOTA Ethics Commission have jurisdiction?
A. All AOTA members
B. All graduates of accredited OT and OTA programs
C. Licensed OTs and OTAs but not occupational therapy educators
D. OTAs and OTs with AOTA membership at the time of an alleged incident -
\D. The AOTA Ethics Commission does not have jurisdiction over occupational therapy
practitioners who were never AOTA members or who were not members when the
incident in question occurred.
A, B, C: Not all OTs and OTAs are AOTA members
A softball player sustained a deep partial-thickness burn to the anterior aspect of the
right arm from the wrist, proximal to the ulnar styloid process, to the mid-upper arm. A
split-thickness skin graft from thigh to mid-forearm was performed 3 days postinjury. To
minimize the risk of graft rejection in the initial phase (7 days postinjury), in what should
the client be instructed?
A. Daily active pronation and supination exercises at least 5 times per day
B. Desensitization using ice to gently -
\D. During the initial phase post-skin graft operation, it is important to maintain
immobilization for 2-7 days or per the physician's specific instruction.
Which occupational therapy group would benefit MOST from a highly directive and
authoritative leadership style?
A. A group of preschool children exploring sensory experiences
,B. A group of adolescents attending a gang prevention group in an alternative education
setting in which they have been placed for behavioral issues stemming from a diagnosis
of oppositional defiant disorder
C. A group of middle-aged clients in an outpatient day treatment setting who are
learning to manage their depression -
\B:Adolescents, particularly those diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder, need
boundaries, and an authoritative leadership style is critical to successfully managing this
group.
D incorrect: Although elements of a voluntary group for well elders may require the
OTR® to be more directive at times, such as during an exercise session, overall the
group focus should be client centered.
A client was referred to occupational therapy because of persistent pain in the neck and
shoulder and the recent onset of paresthesia in the right index and middle fingers. The
OTR® decides that the symptoms may be work related and proceeds with an onsite
ergonomic assessment. During the ergonomic assessment, the OTR® observes that
the client uses the mouse 80% of the time. What will the OTR® MOST likely
recommend?
A. Using a vertical mouse and placing it at desktop level
B. Changing to a lap -
\C: Frequent stretches and movements away from the static posture and prolonged use
of a mouse is another strategy to prevent repetitions and muscle strain.
A: Putting the mouse at regular desktop height is usually too high for most workers and
can lead to shoulder tension.
B: From an ergonomic standpoint, using a laptop without modifying the level of the
monitor screen or the keyboard may lead to other musculoskeletal symptoms.
D: Job changes are usually not part of the recommendations after an ergonomic
assessment.
An OTR® is performing an initial evaluation of a client with an acute full-thickness burn
to the dorsum hand involving all digits. The OTR® is applying Boutonniére precaution
and avoiding having the patient form active or passive composite flexion of the fingers.
What is the MOST APPROPRIATE clinical reasoning for this approach?
A. The tensile strength of the burned skin will not allow for composite flexion of the
fingers.
B. A bulky dressing on the hand will limit the ability to form composi -
\D: The extensor dorsal hood lies superficially at the proximal interphalangeal joint and
will likely be damaged in a full-thickness burn to the dorsum hand. Until the integrity of
the extensor dorsal hood is verified, Boutonniére precaution should be applied during
evaluation and intervention.
A: If the integrity of the dorsal hood has been verified, then it is important to stretch the
dorsal burn area by doing active composite flexion of the fingers.
, B: If the integrity of the dorsal hood has been verified, bulky dressing might limit the
composite movement of fingers but should not be preventing active or passive
movement to prevent contracture development.
C: Unless it is during the initial post-skin graft period, total immobilization is not needed
in a postburn management program.
An OTR® is working with a client diagnosed with fibromyalgia who is experiencing
disturbed sleep patterns. Which cognitive areas of functioning are disturbed sleep
patterns MOST likely to interfere with?
A. Arousal and orientation
B. Sequencing and categorization
C. Initiation of movement and language
D. Attention span and short-term memory -
\D. Nonrestorative sleep, fatigue, and pain interfere with the client's ability to pay
attention and remember day-to-day events.
A, B, C: Arousal and orientation, sequencing and categorization, and initiation of
movement and language are cognitive deficits and are most likely to be the result of
traumatic brain injury or cerebrovascular accident, not fibromyalgia.
An OTR®; wants to find an evidence-based rationale for using a sensory integration
intervention with at-risk youths. What must the OTR do FIRST to construct an evidence
base for practice?
A. Access available databases to search the literature for evidence regarding sensory
integration and at-risk youths.
B. Evaluate whether peer-reviewed articles from five journals support using a sensory
integration intervention with at-risk youths.
C. Develop a question to guide a literature search for inform -
\C: The first step in systematically integrating research evidence into practice is writing
an "answerable" question that can guide a literature review.
A: An "answerable" question must be written before searching the literature.
B: The existing literature cannot be gathered or evaluated until an "answerable"
question has been written to guide the literature review.
D: An "answerable" question must be developed and answered to guide the literature
review before evidence can be applied to practice.
A client's family purchased an ultra lightweight wheelchair (K0005) for the client. It has
the correct seat height, seat width, and seat depth, but the client has difficulty propelling
it. The OTR® asks the client to demonstrate moving the chair forward. What two
potential problems would the OTR® FIRST focus on?
A. Location of the axle in relation to the client's center of gravity, seat-back height
B. Height of seat back, position of leg rests
C. Position of leg rests, location of axle in rela -
\A: If the axle is behind the client's center of gravity, the client may not be able to grasp
enough of the pushrim during propulsion, making movement less efficient; if the seat
