Free Occupational Therapy Assistant Question and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following could help triceps that are considered to be Poor minus?
- Using a Thera-band for resistance to extend the elbow while standing or in a seated position
- Wearing an arm skate to perform flexion and extension while seated at a table or lying supine on a mat table (Correct answer)
- Performing active triceps extensions against gravity
- Lying supine to perform triceps extensions with 1 lb. weight
Correct answer: Wearing an arm skate to perform flexion and extension while seated at a table or lying supine on a mat table
A 'Poor minus' muscle grade indicates that the triceps can complete less than half of its range of motion in a gravity-eliminated plane. An arm skate significantly reduces friction and eliminates the effect of gravity, making it easier for weakened muscles to move the limb. This allows the patient to perform elbow extension exercises with minimal resistance, facilitating muscle activation and strength building before progressing to more challenging activities against gravity.
Question 2: A hemiplegic patient should be supported as follows when lying supine in a bed:
- A pillow should be placed under the feet to prevent edema in the lower extremities
- A pillow should be placed under the low back and under the knees
- A pillow should be placed under the affected shoulder and under the affected hip (Correct answer)
- A pillow should be placed under the unaffected shoulder and under the unaffected hip
Correct answer: A pillow should be placed under the affected shoulder and under the affected hip
For a hemiplegic patient lying supine, proper positioning of the affected side is crucial to prevent common complications like contractures and shoulder subluxation. Placing a pillow under the affected shoulder helps to maintain slight protraction and prevent retraction, while a pillow under the affected hip prevents external rotation. This positioning promotes comfort, maintains joint integrity, and helps manage spasticity.
Question 3: When measuring wrist extension, where should the goniometer's axis be located?
- The dorsal aspect of the wrist joint in between the radius and the ulna
- The styloid process of the radius (Correct answer)
- The ulnar styloid
- The CMC joint of the first digit
Correct answer: The styloid process of the radius
When measuring wrist extension with a goniometer, the axis (fulcrum) should be placed over the lateral aspect of the wrist, specifically aligning with the styloid process of the radius. This anatomical landmark serves as a consistent pivot point for accurate measurement of the joint's range of motion. The stationary arm aligns with the lateral midline of the forearm, and the moving arm aligns with the lateral midline of the hand.
Question 4: Which exercise is best for a patient who has recovered from a myocardial infarction three weeks ago?
- Walking for 20 minutes on a treadmill (Correct answer)
- Shoveling snow off the driveway
- Walking up and sown stadium stairs
- Spending 30 minutes in a sauna
Correct answer: Walking for 20 minutes on a treadmill
Three weeks post-myocardial infarction, a patient is in the early stages of cardiac rehabilitation and requires carefully monitored, low-to-moderate intensity aerobic activity. Walking for 20 minutes on a treadmill provides a controlled and safe way to improve cardiovascular endurance without excessive strain. Activities like shoveling snow, climbing stadium stairs, or using a sauna are too strenuous or pose risks due to uncontrolled intensity, sudden exertion, or extreme temperatures for a recovering heart.
Question 5: Which sensory system will receive more input if a client is placed on a platform swing during a ball activity?
- Tactile
- Olfactory
- Vestibular (Correct answer)
- Proprioceptive
Correct answer: Vestibular
A platform swing provides significant movement and changes in head position, which directly stimulates the vestibular system. This sensory system, located in the inner ear, is responsible for processing information about head movement, gravity, and spatial orientation, playing a key role in balance and coordination. Engaging in activities on a swing enhances vestibular input, which is often used therapeutically to help clients regulate their responses to movement.
Question 6: When working with a client who has decreased seated balance, which of the following modifications to an activity will raise the balance challenge?
- Making object smaller
- Incorporating reach into the activity (Correct answer)
- Providing a stable surface to work on
- Adding weights to the activity
Correct answer: Incorporating reach into the activity
Incorporating reach into an activity requires the client to shift their center of gravity and engage their core muscles to maintain balance. This dynamic movement challenges their postural control and stability, thereby increasing the difficulty and therapeutic benefit for improving seated balance. It forces the client to actively adjust their body position to prevent a fall, directly targeting balance skills.
Question 7: She complains of pain in her left lower extremities while receiving care from a client who is two weeks post-CVA. When you touch her left leg, she cries out in pain, and when you passively flex her foot, she complains of pain. Additionally, the extremity's edema is visible. What ought to be done?
- Report the findings to a nurse or physician (Correct answer)
- Report the findings to her physical therapist when you get a chance
- Call 911
- Try to have client work through the pain
Correct answer: Report the findings to a nurse or physician
The client's symptoms of pain, increased pain with passive movement, and visible edema in the left lower extremity post-CVA are highly indicative of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a serious medical condition that requires immediate medical evaluation and intervention to prevent potentially life-threatening complications like a pulmonary embolism. As an OTA, recognizing these signs and promptly reporting them to a nurse or physician is a critical safety measure.
Free Occupational Therapy Assistant Question and Answers
Which of the following could help triceps that are considered to be Poor minus?