NBCOT PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ALL
CORRECT ANSWERS
B correct answer -In reading a client's medical chart, the COTA® notes
that the client has a history of postprandial orthostatic hypotension. What
activity precautions should the COTA give the client?
A. Limit standing to 30 minutes while completing an occupation such as
cooking.
B. Avoid a positional change from lying down to standing within 30 minutes of
eating a meal.
C. Take several minutes to move from lying down to sitting and then to
standing after being in bed all night.
D. Avoid leaning the head too far forward, for example, bending over to tie
shoes while sitting.
C, D, F correct answer -A newly certified COTA® is working a first job on
an inpatient rehabilitation unit. The OTR® instructs the COTA to teach a bath
bench transfer to a patient while the OTR goes to another room to evaluate a
new patient. The COTA never completed a bath bench transfer before. What
ethical principles should guide the student in this situation? Select the 3 BEST
choices.
A. Autonomy
B. Veracity
C. Beneficence
D. Nonmaleficence
E. Fidelity
F. Justice
B correct answer -A client with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS) presents with a stiff forward-flexed neck that is at risk for developing a
contracture and impairing social participation. Which intervention would the
COTA® use to BEST prevent a contracture?
A. A physical agent modality, such as diathermy or ultrasound, to minimize
contractures
,B. Caregiver training on gentle neck stretching and how to help the client don
a soft cervical collar
C. A home exercise program of isometric neck exercises in all planes
D. Patient and caregiver education on proper positioning at rest and during
functional tasks
C correct answer -A COTA® is working with a client who has sustained a
low ulnar nerve injury to the hand. The client has been instructed in visual
protection of the hand. Over the weekend, the client experiences burns to the
injured hand. What area of the hand would have been burned?
A. Thenar side of the hand
B. Thumb and index fingers
C. Hypothenar side of the hand
D. Index and middle fingers
A correct answer -A COTA® is working with a 2½-year-old child on age-
appropriate fine motor skills. Which activity would be most appropriate to
support development?
A. Unbuttoning large buttons
B. Lacing a shoe
C. Cutting out shapes with scissors
D. Drawing shapes
C correct answer -The COTA®'s next client has macular degeneration in
both eyes. To prepare the treatment environment for this client, which course
of action should the COTA® take?
A. Close the blinds and the curtains
B. Sit directly in front of the client
C. Increase lighting and avoid glare
D. Place dark objects on a black table
A correct answer -A 4-year-old child with arthrogryposis is being
evaluated for ADLs. The child needs to use utensils that are angled to be able
to put food into the mouth. Which characteristic of clients with this condition
provides the rationale behind the use of these adapted utensils?
,A. Joint contractures in the arms and hands
B. Spasticity in the arms and hands
C. Hypotonia in the arms and hands
D. Decreased sensation in the arms and hands
D correct answer -A client with a learning disability is interested in
exploring work opportunities after high school graduation. The client has
difficulty sequencing more than three-step directions and lacks attention to
detail. Which option would be considered a component of the student's
transitional program plan?
A. Completion of a transition-related evaluation by a vocational rehabilitation
counselor to identify the student's strengths, weaknesses, and interests
B. Completion of a job site analysis with physical demands to determine the
feasibility of the client's performing specific tasks
C. Provision of written directions to complete a three-step task and use of
samples to promote problem solving
D. Situational observation, interview, and activity analysis to determine a
match between the client's abilities and expected performance
B correct answer -A COTA® is working on postoperative discharge plan
for a school-age child with neurofibromatosis. The COTA® recommends that
the parents move the child's clothes from the top drawer so that the child can
access them independently. Why might the COTA® make this
recommendation?
A. Children with neurofibromatosis have weakened shoulder girdles and
reduced upper-extremity strength.
B. Children with neurofibromatosis are of short stature and have skeletal
anomalies.
C. Children with neurofibromatosis have decreased sensation and often drop
things.
D. Children with neurofibromatosis have difficulty initiating routines.
C correct answer -To facilitate participation in familiar daily living tasks by
clients with dementia, what would be an appropriate INITIAL stage of
intervention?
A. Recommend home modifications.
, B. Provide caregiver education.
C. Develop strategies to simplify familiar tasks.
D. Establish appropriate daily routines.
C correct answer -Because information-processing speed may affect a
driver's on-road performance, which is the BEST compensatory approach the
COTA® can use?
A. Discuss with the supervising OTR® the client's driving cessation.
B. Instruct the client in proper visual search patterns and efficient scanning
techniques.
C. Limit driving to familiar areas, simple traffic scenes, and roads with reduced
speed limits.
D. Educate the client in rules of the road and signs of the road.
D, E, F correct answer -A COTA® is working with a client with traumatic
brain injury who is displaying decorticate rigidity. What clinical
characteristics can the COTA expect to find? Select the 3 BEST choices.
A. Upper extremities are flaccid, with internal rotation.
B. Upper extremities are spastic, with external rotation.
C. Upper extremities are flaccid, with external rotation.
D. Upper extremities are spastic, with shoulder internal rotation and elbow
flexion.
E. Lower extremities are spastic, with hip internal rotation.
F. Lower extremities are spastic, with ankle plantar flexion.
D correct answer -A client who uses an ultra lightweight wheelchair asks
whether the chair can accommodate a wraparound lapboard. The COTA® is
not familiar with this type of lapboard. Who on the rehabilitation team would
be the BEST person for the COTA® to consult to obtain this information?
A. An OTR®
B. A physical therapist
C. A rehabilitation engineer
D. A medical equipment supplier
CORRECT ANSWERS
B correct answer -In reading a client's medical chart, the COTA® notes
that the client has a history of postprandial orthostatic hypotension. What
activity precautions should the COTA give the client?
A. Limit standing to 30 minutes while completing an occupation such as
cooking.
B. Avoid a positional change from lying down to standing within 30 minutes of
eating a meal.
C. Take several minutes to move from lying down to sitting and then to
standing after being in bed all night.
D. Avoid leaning the head too far forward, for example, bending over to tie
shoes while sitting.
C, D, F correct answer -A newly certified COTA® is working a first job on
an inpatient rehabilitation unit. The OTR® instructs the COTA to teach a bath
bench transfer to a patient while the OTR goes to another room to evaluate a
new patient. The COTA never completed a bath bench transfer before. What
ethical principles should guide the student in this situation? Select the 3 BEST
choices.
A. Autonomy
B. Veracity
C. Beneficence
D. Nonmaleficence
E. Fidelity
F. Justice
B correct answer -A client with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS) presents with a stiff forward-flexed neck that is at risk for developing a
contracture and impairing social participation. Which intervention would the
COTA® use to BEST prevent a contracture?
A. A physical agent modality, such as diathermy or ultrasound, to minimize
contractures
,B. Caregiver training on gentle neck stretching and how to help the client don
a soft cervical collar
C. A home exercise program of isometric neck exercises in all planes
D. Patient and caregiver education on proper positioning at rest and during
functional tasks
C correct answer -A COTA® is working with a client who has sustained a
low ulnar nerve injury to the hand. The client has been instructed in visual
protection of the hand. Over the weekend, the client experiences burns to the
injured hand. What area of the hand would have been burned?
A. Thenar side of the hand
B. Thumb and index fingers
C. Hypothenar side of the hand
D. Index and middle fingers
A correct answer -A COTA® is working with a 2½-year-old child on age-
appropriate fine motor skills. Which activity would be most appropriate to
support development?
A. Unbuttoning large buttons
B. Lacing a shoe
C. Cutting out shapes with scissors
D. Drawing shapes
C correct answer -The COTA®'s next client has macular degeneration in
both eyes. To prepare the treatment environment for this client, which course
of action should the COTA® take?
A. Close the blinds and the curtains
B. Sit directly in front of the client
C. Increase lighting and avoid glare
D. Place dark objects on a black table
A correct answer -A 4-year-old child with arthrogryposis is being
evaluated for ADLs. The child needs to use utensils that are angled to be able
to put food into the mouth. Which characteristic of clients with this condition
provides the rationale behind the use of these adapted utensils?
,A. Joint contractures in the arms and hands
B. Spasticity in the arms and hands
C. Hypotonia in the arms and hands
D. Decreased sensation in the arms and hands
D correct answer -A client with a learning disability is interested in
exploring work opportunities after high school graduation. The client has
difficulty sequencing more than three-step directions and lacks attention to
detail. Which option would be considered a component of the student's
transitional program plan?
A. Completion of a transition-related evaluation by a vocational rehabilitation
counselor to identify the student's strengths, weaknesses, and interests
B. Completion of a job site analysis with physical demands to determine the
feasibility of the client's performing specific tasks
C. Provision of written directions to complete a three-step task and use of
samples to promote problem solving
D. Situational observation, interview, and activity analysis to determine a
match between the client's abilities and expected performance
B correct answer -A COTA® is working on postoperative discharge plan
for a school-age child with neurofibromatosis. The COTA® recommends that
the parents move the child's clothes from the top drawer so that the child can
access them independently. Why might the COTA® make this
recommendation?
A. Children with neurofibromatosis have weakened shoulder girdles and
reduced upper-extremity strength.
B. Children with neurofibromatosis are of short stature and have skeletal
anomalies.
C. Children with neurofibromatosis have decreased sensation and often drop
things.
D. Children with neurofibromatosis have difficulty initiating routines.
C correct answer -To facilitate participation in familiar daily living tasks by
clients with dementia, what would be an appropriate INITIAL stage of
intervention?
A. Recommend home modifications.
, B. Provide caregiver education.
C. Develop strategies to simplify familiar tasks.
D. Establish appropriate daily routines.
C correct answer -Because information-processing speed may affect a
driver's on-road performance, which is the BEST compensatory approach the
COTA® can use?
A. Discuss with the supervising OTR® the client's driving cessation.
B. Instruct the client in proper visual search patterns and efficient scanning
techniques.
C. Limit driving to familiar areas, simple traffic scenes, and roads with reduced
speed limits.
D. Educate the client in rules of the road and signs of the road.
D, E, F correct answer -A COTA® is working with a client with traumatic
brain injury who is displaying decorticate rigidity. What clinical
characteristics can the COTA expect to find? Select the 3 BEST choices.
A. Upper extremities are flaccid, with internal rotation.
B. Upper extremities are spastic, with external rotation.
C. Upper extremities are flaccid, with external rotation.
D. Upper extremities are spastic, with shoulder internal rotation and elbow
flexion.
E. Lower extremities are spastic, with hip internal rotation.
F. Lower extremities are spastic, with ankle plantar flexion.
D correct answer -A client who uses an ultra lightweight wheelchair asks
whether the chair can accommodate a wraparound lapboard. The COTA® is
not familiar with this type of lapboard. Who on the rehabilitation team would
be the BEST person for the COTA® to consult to obtain this information?
A. An OTR®
B. A physical therapist
C. A rehabilitation engineer
D. A medical equipment supplier
