OTA Ultimate Occupational Therapy Assistant 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of muscle contraction occurs when the OTA instructs a client to slowly lower a cup from a shelf to the table?
- Isometric contraction
- Concentric contraction
- Eccentric contraction (Correct answer)
- Isotonic contraction
Correct answer: Eccentric contraction
Eccentric contraction occurs when a muscle lengthens under load, as the elbow flexors do when slowly lowering an object against gravity.
Question 2: An OTA is treating a client with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder in an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which group activity BEST supports this client's occupational engagement?
- Competitive trivia requiring fast responses
- Solitary reading assignments with written reports
- A structured task group making holiday cards for community donation (Correct answer)
- An unstructured free-play group with no guidance
Correct answer: A structured task group making holiday cards for community donation
A structured task group provides meaningful, achievable activity with social connection and a sense of purpose — all therapeutic for major depressive disorder.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of using a universal cuff (utensil holder) for a client with C6 spinal cord injury?
- To increase grip strength over time
- To substitute for absent or weak hand grasp during self-feeding (Correct answer)
- To prevent spasticity in the finger flexors
- To improve sensory awareness in the hand
Correct answer: To substitute for absent or weak hand grasp during self-feeding
A universal cuff is an adaptive device that secures a utensil to the hand when a client lacks sufficient grip strength, enabling independent self-feeding.
Question 4: Which precaution is MOST critical for an OTA to follow when treating a client who had a total hip replacement using the posterior approach?
- Avoid shoulder abduction beyond 90 degrees
- Prevent hip flexion beyond 90 degrees, internal rotation, and adduction (Correct answer)
- Limit elbow extension during transfers
- Avoid all weight-bearing on the surgical leg
Correct answer: Prevent hip flexion beyond 90 degrees, internal rotation, and adduction
Posterior approach total hip replacement requires avoiding hip flexion past 90°, internal rotation, and adduction to prevent dislocation during early recovery.
Question 5: An OTA working in a school setting notices a student has difficulty with pencil grasp and letter formation. According to IDEA, under which category would OT services MOST likely be provided?
- Section 504 plan
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) (Correct answer)
- Response to Intervention (RTI) Tier 1
- Medical model outpatient services
Correct answer: Individualized Education Program (IEP)
OT services provided to students with disabilities in public schools are governed by IDEA and documented within the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Question 6: A client with COPD is learning diaphragmatic breathing during ADLs. The OTA instructs the client to exhale during which part of the activity?
- At rest between tasks
- During the effort or exertion phase of the task (Correct answer)
- During inhalation only
- Only after completing the entire task
Correct answer: During the effort or exertion phase of the task
Clients with COPD should exhale during the exertion phase of an activity to avoid Valsalva maneuver and reduce dyspnea during effort.
Question 7: Which standardized assessment uses direct observation of a child's performance in natural contexts to evaluate sensory processing?
- Sensory Profile 2 (caregiver questionnaire)
- Sensory Processing Measure (SPM)
- Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) (Correct answer)
- Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2)
Correct answer: Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT)
The SIPT uses standardized, directly administered subtests to measure sensory integration and praxis in children ages 4–8 years 11 months.
OTA Ultimate Occupational Therapy Assistant 4
Which type of muscle contraction occurs when the OTA instructs a client to slowly lower a cup from a shelf to the table?