OTA Geriatric OT 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client with age-related macular degeneration wants to continue reading. Which low-vision strategy should the OTA recommend?
- Reduce lighting to prevent eye strain
- Teach eccentric viewing using peripheral vision (Correct answer)
- Advise the client to stop reading to protect remaining vision
- Cover one eye while reading
Correct answer: Teach eccentric viewing using peripheral vision
Eccentric viewing trains clients to use their intact peripheral retina when central vision is lost due to macular degeneration.
Question 2: Which precaution is MOST important when providing therapeutic exercise to an older adult with osteoporosis?
- Avoid all weight-bearing activities
- Avoid high-impact activities and end-range spinal flexion (Correct answer)
- Limit sessions to 5 minutes to prevent fatigue
- Focus exclusively on passive range of motion
Correct answer: Avoid high-impact activities and end-range spinal flexion
High-impact loading and extreme spinal flexion increase vertebral fracture risk in osteoporosis; weight-bearing activities are actually beneficial.
Question 3: During a home visit, an OTA observes an older adult with multiple bruises in various healing stages and poor hygiene inconsistent with the client's history. The OTA should:
- Assume the bruises are from the client's frequent falls
- Document findings and report suspected elder abuse to the supervising OT and appropriate authority (Correct answer)
- Discuss suspicions directly with the family caregiver
- Wait to see if further signs appear before reporting
Correct answer: Document findings and report suspected elder abuse to the supervising OT and appropriate authority
OTAs are mandated reporters and must document and report suspected elder abuse to the supervising OT and relevant authorities promptly.
Question 4: A 78-year-old client complains of fatigue during morning self-care. To apply energy conservation principles, the OTA should teach the client to:
- Complete all tasks as quickly as possible
- Perform high-effort tasks after a period of rest (Correct answer)
- Eliminate all unnecessary ADL tasks
- Exercise intensely to build endurance
Correct answer: Perform high-effort tasks after a period of rest
Scheduling high-effort tasks after rest periods maximizes available energy and is a core energy conservation strategy.
Question 5: Which type of transfer is SAFEST for an elderly client who has right-sided weakness and is moving from bed to wheelchair?
- Position the wheelchair on the client's right side
- Position the wheelchair on the client's left (stronger) side (Correct answer)
- Have the client perform a stand-pivot transfer alone
- Use a Hoyer lift for every transfer regardless of ability
Correct answer: Position the wheelchair on the client's left (stronger) side
Positioning the wheelchair to the client's stronger side allows the stronger limbs to lead the transfer, improving safety.
Question 6: An OTA is providing dysphagia intervention for an older adult with thickened liquids ordered. The client refuses thickened beverages. The FIRST action is to:
- Allow the client thin liquids since they prefer them
- Document the refusal and notify the supervising OT (Correct answer)
- Discontinue dysphagia precautions from the plan
- Contact the physician to change the diet order
Correct answer: Document the refusal and notify the supervising OT
The OTA must document the refusal and inform the supervising OT, who will coordinate with the team regarding risk and informed consent.
Question 7: The term 'sundowning' in geriatric OT practice refers to:
- Increased confusion and agitation in dementia clients during late afternoon or evening (Correct answer)
- A phenomenon where elderly clients sleep excessively during the day
- Decreased appetite in the evening hours
- Visual hallucinations caused by low lighting
Correct answer: Increased confusion and agitation in dementia clients during late afternoon or evening
Sundowning describes increased confusion, agitation, and behavioral disturbances in dementia patients that typically worsen in the late afternoon and evening.
OTA Geriatric OT 3
A client with age-related macular degeneration wants to continue reading.
Which low-vision strategy should the OTA recommend?