N B C OT · N AT I O N A L B O A R D F O R C E R T I F I C AT I O N I N O C C U PAT I O N A L T H E R A P Y
NBCOT Exam
Practice Question Bank
Exam-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Occupational Therapy — Comprehensive Review
Edition 1 · July 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — NBCOT Exam Review 2
NBCOT · National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Page 1
,NBCOT EXAM PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. These questions are designed to reflect NBCOT exam style and content.
Category: NBCOT Exam — Occupational Therapy
1 Which peripheral nerve is typically associated with Guyon's canal syndrome?
A Radial
B Ulnar
C Median
D Musculocutaneous
Why B is correct: Guyon's canal syndrome involves compression of the ulnar nerve
between the pisiform and the hook of the hamate.
A — The radial nerve is not associated with Guyon's canal syndrome; it is more commonly
involved in radial tunnel syndrome or wrist drop.
C — The median nerve is associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, not Guyon's canal
syndrome.
D — The musculocutaneous nerve innervates the biceps and brachialis and is not associated
with Guyon's canal.
,2 Patients with spinal cord injuries at or above which level are at risk for developing
autonomic dysreflexia?
A T-10 or above
B T-7 or above
C T-4 or above
D T-12 or above
Why B is correct: Autonomic dysreflexia occurs in patients with spinal cord injuries at or
above T-7. Symptoms include severe hypertension, bradycardia, nasal congestion, and
severe throbbing headache.
A — T-10 is below the level typically associated with autonomic dysreflexia risk.
C — T-4 is above the threshold; while T-4 or above is at risk, T-7 is the minimum level
identified in the source.
D — T-12 is below the level associated with autonomic dysreflexia.
3 What is the medical term for a bruise?
A Hematoma
B Contusion
C Ecchymosis
D Petechiae
Why B is correct: A contusion is the medical term for a bruise.
A — A hematoma is a localized collection of blood outside blood vessels, which can be
larger and more serious than a simple bruise.
C — Ecchymosis refers to a flat, purplish bruise measuring more than 1 cm, but "contusion"
is the more direct term for bruise.
D — Petechiae are pinpoint, round spots that appear on the skin as a result of bleeding.
, 4 Bradycardia is defined as:
A Slow heart rate (less than 60 bpm)
B Fast heart rate (greater than 100 bpm)
C Irregular heart rhythm
D Absent heart rate
Why A is correct: Bradycardia is defined as a slow heart rate of less than 60 beats per
minute.
B — A fast heart rate greater than 100 bpm is tachycardia, not bradycardia.
C — Irregular heart rhythm is arrhythmia, not specifically bradycardia.
D — Absent heart rate is asystole or cardiac arrest.
5 Dysarthria is best described as:
A Difficulty understanding speech
B Difficulty in speech due to weakness of speech muscles
C Complete loss of speech
D Difficulty finding the right words
Why B is correct: Dysarthria is difficulty in speech due to weakness of speech muscles. This
can be either a developmental problem or acquired due to medical conditions.
A — Difficulty understanding speech is receptive aphasia or auditory processing disorder.
C — Complete loss of speech is aphasia or mutism.
D — Difficulty finding the right words is anomia or expressive aphasia.
NBCOT Exam
Practice Question Bank
Exam-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Occupational Therapy — Comprehensive Review
Edition 1 · July 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — NBCOT Exam Review 2
NBCOT · National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Page 1
,NBCOT EXAM PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. These questions are designed to reflect NBCOT exam style and content.
Category: NBCOT Exam — Occupational Therapy
1 Which peripheral nerve is typically associated with Guyon's canal syndrome?
A Radial
B Ulnar
C Median
D Musculocutaneous
Why B is correct: Guyon's canal syndrome involves compression of the ulnar nerve
between the pisiform and the hook of the hamate.
A — The radial nerve is not associated with Guyon's canal syndrome; it is more commonly
involved in radial tunnel syndrome or wrist drop.
C — The median nerve is associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, not Guyon's canal
syndrome.
D — The musculocutaneous nerve innervates the biceps and brachialis and is not associated
with Guyon's canal.
,2 Patients with spinal cord injuries at or above which level are at risk for developing
autonomic dysreflexia?
A T-10 or above
B T-7 or above
C T-4 or above
D T-12 or above
Why B is correct: Autonomic dysreflexia occurs in patients with spinal cord injuries at or
above T-7. Symptoms include severe hypertension, bradycardia, nasal congestion, and
severe throbbing headache.
A — T-10 is below the level typically associated with autonomic dysreflexia risk.
C — T-4 is above the threshold; while T-4 or above is at risk, T-7 is the minimum level
identified in the source.
D — T-12 is below the level associated with autonomic dysreflexia.
3 What is the medical term for a bruise?
A Hematoma
B Contusion
C Ecchymosis
D Petechiae
Why B is correct: A contusion is the medical term for a bruise.
A — A hematoma is a localized collection of blood outside blood vessels, which can be
larger and more serious than a simple bruise.
C — Ecchymosis refers to a flat, purplish bruise measuring more than 1 cm, but "contusion"
is the more direct term for bruise.
D — Petechiae are pinpoint, round spots that appear on the skin as a result of bleeding.
, 4 Bradycardia is defined as:
A Slow heart rate (less than 60 bpm)
B Fast heart rate (greater than 100 bpm)
C Irregular heart rhythm
D Absent heart rate
Why A is correct: Bradycardia is defined as a slow heart rate of less than 60 beats per
minute.
B — A fast heart rate greater than 100 bpm is tachycardia, not bradycardia.
C — Irregular heart rhythm is arrhythmia, not specifically bradycardia.
D — Absent heart rate is asystole or cardiac arrest.
5 Dysarthria is best described as:
A Difficulty understanding speech
B Difficulty in speech due to weakness of speech muscles
C Complete loss of speech
D Difficulty finding the right words
Why B is correct: Dysarthria is difficulty in speech due to weakness of speech muscles. This
can be either a developmental problem or acquired due to medical conditions.
A — Difficulty understanding speech is receptive aphasia or auditory processing disorder.
C — Complete loss of speech is aphasia or mutism.
D — Difficulty finding the right words is anomia or expressive aphasia.
