OTA Geriatric OT 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An OTA is working with an 80-year-old with moderate dementia who resists morning ADL care. Which approach is MOST appropriate?
- Use physical guidance to complete the task quickly
- Break tasks into single steps with simple verbal cues (Correct answer)
- Postpone ADLs until the client is more cooperative
- Ask family members to perform all ADL care
Correct answer: Break tasks into single steps with simple verbal cues
Breaking tasks into single steps with simple verbal cues reduces cognitive demands and decreases resistance in clients with dementia.
Question 2: Which standardized assessment is commonly used by OTAs to screen for cognitive impairment in older adults?
- Berg Balance Scale
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (Correct answer)
- Functional Independence Measure (FIM)
- Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment
Correct answer: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
The MMSE is a widely used, standardized tool to screen for cognitive impairment in geriatric populations.
Question 3: A geriatric client has difficulty gripping utensils due to rheumatoid arthritis. The BEST adaptive equipment recommendation is:
- Standard metal fork and spoon
- Built-up handled utensils (Correct answer)
- Finger foods only at mealtimes
- Weighted utensils to improve tremor control
Correct answer: Built-up handled utensils
Built-up handled utensils increase the diameter of the grip surface, reducing strain on inflamed joints in rheumatoid arthritis.
Question 4: When educating a caregiver about preventing pressure injuries in a bedbound elderly client, the OTA should recommend repositioning at least every:
- 30 minutes
- 1 hour
- 2 hours (Correct answer)
- 4 hours
Correct answer: 2 hours
Current evidence and guidelines recommend repositioning bedbound clients at least every 2 hours to prevent pressure injuries.
Question 5: A 75-year-old client with Parkinson's disease has a festinating gait. Which strategy BEST addresses this during functional mobility?
- Encourage the client to take larger, deliberate steps (Correct answer)
- Advise the client to walk faster to gain momentum
- Recommend bed rest to prevent falls
- Use a wheelchair for all mobility
Correct answer: Encourage the client to take larger, deliberate steps
Cueing strategies that encourage larger, deliberate steps help counteract festination in Parkinson's disease.
Question 6: Which environmental modification MOST directly reduces fall risk for an older adult with low vision living at home?
- Installing carpet throughout all flooring
- Adding high-contrast tape to step edges (Correct answer)
- Removing all rugs and furniture
- Keeping lights dim to avoid glare
Correct answer: Adding high-contrast tape to step edges
High-contrast tape on step edges improves depth perception and visibility for individuals with low vision, reducing fall risk.
Question 7: An OTA notices a cognitively intact elderly client appears withdrawn, loses interest in activities, and reports sleep disturbance. The OTA should FIRST:
- Immediately increase the client's activity schedule
- Document observations and report to the supervising OT (Correct answer)
- Reassure the client that sadness is normal with aging
- Recommend the client request antidepressants
Correct answer: Document observations and report to the supervising OT
The OTA must document and report changes in the client's mental status to the supervising OT, who can initiate further screening and intervention.
OTA Geriatric OT 2
An OTA is working with an 80-year-old with moderate dementia who resists morning ADL care.
Which approach is MOST appropriate?