OTA Ultimate Occupational Therapy Assistant 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An OTA is working with a client who has hemiplegia following a stroke. Which frame of reference BEST guides upper extremity strengthening and task retraining?
- Biomechanical frame of reference
- Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) frame of reference (Correct answer)
- Psychodynamic frame of reference
- Model of Human Occupation (MOHO)
Correct answer: Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) frame of reference
The NDT frame of reference focuses on normalizing movement patterns and inhibiting abnormal tone, making it most appropriate for hemiplegia rehabilitation.
Question 2: Under the supervision of an OT, which of the following tasks is within the OTA's scope of practice?
- Developing the initial occupational profile
- Interpreting evaluation results to establish a diagnosis
- Implementing a pre-established intervention plan (Correct answer)
- Determining the discharge plan without OT input
Correct answer: Implementing a pre-established intervention plan
OTAs implement intervention plans established by the supervising OT; they do not independently evaluate, diagnose, or determine discharge without OT collaboration.
Question 3: A client with rheumatoid arthritis reports joint pain during ADLs. Which energy conservation principle should the OTA teach FIRST?
- Work at a fast pace to finish tasks quickly
- Plan and prioritize activities throughout the day (Correct answer)
- Avoid all strenuous activity permanently
- Use the strongest joints whenever possible
Correct answer: Plan and prioritize activities throughout the day
Planning and prioritizing tasks distributes energy demands across the day, reducing fatigue and joint stress for clients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Question 4: When documenting an OTA's intervention session using SOAP note format, where would the client's self-report of pain be recorded?
- Objective (O)
- Assessment (A)
- Subjective (S) (Correct answer)
- Plan (P)
Correct answer: Subjective (S)
The Subjective section records what the client says about their own experience, including self-reported symptoms like pain.
Question 5: An OTA uses the Cognitive Disabilities Model when working with a client who has dementia. At Allen Cognitive Level 3, which activity is MOST appropriate?
- Complex multi-step meal preparation
- Simple repetitive manual tasks like folding towels (Correct answer)
- Abstract problem-solving exercises
- Independent community mobility training
Correct answer: Simple repetitive manual tasks like folding towels
Allen Cognitive Level 3 indicates the client can perform simple, repetitive, manual actions with tactile cues but cannot manage complex or multi-step tasks.
Question 6: Which of the following is the MOST appropriate assistive device for a client with T6 complete spinal cord injury to achieve independence in pressure relief?
- Standard manual wheelchair with push-handles
- Power wheelchair with tilt-in-space feature (Correct answer)
- Standard walker
- Forearm crutches
Correct answer: Power wheelchair with tilt-in-space feature
A power tilt-in-space wheelchair allows individuals with T6 SCI, who lack trunk control and hand strength for manual pressure relief, to shift weight independently.
Question 7: An OTA is treating a child with sensory processing disorder who is hypersensitive to tactile input. Which sensory integration strategy is BEST?
- Introduce unexpected light touch frequently
- Begin with deep pressure input before transitioning to light touch (Correct answer)
- Avoid all tactile activities during therapy
- Immediately expose the child to the most aversive textures
Correct answer: Begin with deep pressure input before transitioning to light touch
Deep pressure is typically organizing and calming for tactile-hypersensitive children and should be introduced before lighter, more alerting tactile stimuli.
OTA Ultimate Occupational Therapy Assistant 2
An OTA is working with a client who has hemiplegia following a stroke.
Which frame of reference BEST guides upper extremity strengthening and task retraining?