Early’s Physical Dysfunction Practice Skills for the OTA, 4th Ed.
Study Guide (2025/2026 Syllabus)
Chapter 1: The Occupational Therapy Process in Physical Dysfunction
1. What is the primary role of the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) in the
evaluation process?
ANSWER: ✓ The OTA's role is to contribute to the evaluation process by implementing
delegated assessments and gathering qualitative data on a client's occupational
performance, but the Occupational Therapist (OTR) is responsible for the interpretation
of evaluation results and developing the intervention plan.
2. List the five main components of the Occupational Therapy Process.
ANSWER: ✓ 1. Evaluation, 2. Intervention Planning, 3. Intervention Implementation, 4.
Intervention Review, 5. Outcomes.
3. During the intervention phase, what are the three general types of interventions
used by OT?
ANSWER: ✓ 1. Therapeutic use of self and activities, 2. Preparatory methods and tasks,
3. Education and training.
4. What is the key difference between occupation-based and purposeful activity?
ANSWER: ✓ Occupation-based activities are those that are meaningful and specific to
the client's life (e.g., making their own breakfast). Purposeful activities are goal-directed
but may not hold specific meaning for the client (e.g., sanding a block of wood to
promote shoulder strengthening).
5. Define "clinical reasoning" and provide one type used by OTAs.
ANSWER: ✓ Clinical reasoning is the process used by practitioners to plan, direct,
perform, and reflect on client care. One type is procedural reasoning, which focuses on
the client's physical condition and the performance skills required for tasks.
6. Why is documentation a critical skill for the OTA?
ANSWER: ✓ Documentation provides a legal record of care, communicates the client's
status and progress to the team, justifies the medical necessity of services, and
demonstrates the outcomes of occupational therapy intervention.
7. What is the OTA's responsibility regarding the intervention plan?
ANSWER: ✓ The OTA is responsible for implementing the intervention plan developed
, by the OTR, but may contribute to its development and must notify the OTR if the plan
needs modification.
8. According to the OTPF-4, what is the definition of "Occupation"?
ANSWER: ✓ Everyday personalized activities that people do as individuals, in families,
and with communities to occupy time and bring meaning and purpose to life.
9. Name the eight Occupations listed in the OTPF-4.
ANSWER: ✓ ADLs, IADLs, Health Management, Rest and Sleep, Education, Work, Play,
and Social Participation.
10. What is the significance of using a client-centered approach?
ANSWER: ✓ A client-centered approach ensures that the client's values, needs, and
goals are the primary focus of the intervention, leading to increased motivation,
relevance, and better outcomes.
Chapter 2: Safety, Ethics, and Professionalism
11. What are the four key principles of the AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of
Ethics?
ANSWER: ✓ Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Autonomy, Justice, Veracity, and Fidelity.
(There are six).
12. Define "Beneficence" as an ethical principle.
ANSWER: ✓ Beneficence is the duty to demonstrate concern for the well-being and
safety of recipients of services.
13. When must an OTA obtain informed consent?
ANSWER: ✓ While the OTR is ultimately responsible, the OTA must ensure the client
understands the intervention they are about to perform and consents to it, especially
when it is a new or potentially uncomfortable procedure.
14. What is the number one rule for proper body mechanics during transfers?
ANSWER: ✓ Keep your base of support wide and keep the client as close to your center
of gravity as possible.
15. List three common safety hazards in a physical rehabilitation setting.
ANSWER: ✓ Wet floors, loose rugs, poorly maintained equipment, cluttered pathways,
and improper use of transfer belts.
16. What is an OTA's duty if they suspect a colleague is impaired (e.g., by drugs or
alcohol) at work?
Study Guide (2025/2026 Syllabus)
Chapter 1: The Occupational Therapy Process in Physical Dysfunction
1. What is the primary role of the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) in the
evaluation process?
ANSWER: ✓ The OTA's role is to contribute to the evaluation process by implementing
delegated assessments and gathering qualitative data on a client's occupational
performance, but the Occupational Therapist (OTR) is responsible for the interpretation
of evaluation results and developing the intervention plan.
2. List the five main components of the Occupational Therapy Process.
ANSWER: ✓ 1. Evaluation, 2. Intervention Planning, 3. Intervention Implementation, 4.
Intervention Review, 5. Outcomes.
3. During the intervention phase, what are the three general types of interventions
used by OT?
ANSWER: ✓ 1. Therapeutic use of self and activities, 2. Preparatory methods and tasks,
3. Education and training.
4. What is the key difference between occupation-based and purposeful activity?
ANSWER: ✓ Occupation-based activities are those that are meaningful and specific to
the client's life (e.g., making their own breakfast). Purposeful activities are goal-directed
but may not hold specific meaning for the client (e.g., sanding a block of wood to
promote shoulder strengthening).
5. Define "clinical reasoning" and provide one type used by OTAs.
ANSWER: ✓ Clinical reasoning is the process used by practitioners to plan, direct,
perform, and reflect on client care. One type is procedural reasoning, which focuses on
the client's physical condition and the performance skills required for tasks.
6. Why is documentation a critical skill for the OTA?
ANSWER: ✓ Documentation provides a legal record of care, communicates the client's
status and progress to the team, justifies the medical necessity of services, and
demonstrates the outcomes of occupational therapy intervention.
7. What is the OTA's responsibility regarding the intervention plan?
ANSWER: ✓ The OTA is responsible for implementing the intervention plan developed
, by the OTR, but may contribute to its development and must notify the OTR if the plan
needs modification.
8. According to the OTPF-4, what is the definition of "Occupation"?
ANSWER: ✓ Everyday personalized activities that people do as individuals, in families,
and with communities to occupy time and bring meaning and purpose to life.
9. Name the eight Occupations listed in the OTPF-4.
ANSWER: ✓ ADLs, IADLs, Health Management, Rest and Sleep, Education, Work, Play,
and Social Participation.
10. What is the significance of using a client-centered approach?
ANSWER: ✓ A client-centered approach ensures that the client's values, needs, and
goals are the primary focus of the intervention, leading to increased motivation,
relevance, and better outcomes.
Chapter 2: Safety, Ethics, and Professionalism
11. What are the four key principles of the AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of
Ethics?
ANSWER: ✓ Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Autonomy, Justice, Veracity, and Fidelity.
(There are six).
12. Define "Beneficence" as an ethical principle.
ANSWER: ✓ Beneficence is the duty to demonstrate concern for the well-being and
safety of recipients of services.
13. When must an OTA obtain informed consent?
ANSWER: ✓ While the OTR is ultimately responsible, the OTA must ensure the client
understands the intervention they are about to perform and consents to it, especially
when it is a new or potentially uncomfortable procedure.
14. What is the number one rule for proper body mechanics during transfers?
ANSWER: ✓ Keep your base of support wide and keep the client as close to your center
of gravity as possible.
15. List three common safety hazards in a physical rehabilitation setting.
ANSWER: ✓ Wet floors, loose rugs, poorly maintained equipment, cluttered pathways,
and improper use of transfer belts.
16. What is an OTA's duty if they suspect a colleague is impaired (e.g., by drugs or
alcohol) at work?
