USAHS CONDITIONS EXAM 2 — 2026/2027
40 Original Exam-Style Practice Questions & Answers
Mental Health • Anxiety • PTSD • Schizophrenia • ADHD • ASD • Cerebral Palsy • Occupational Therapy
Study-use notice: These are original exam-style practice questions. They are not leaked, copied, or represented as
the actual 2026/2027 USAHS examination. USAHS describes OCT 5151 Conditions as covering mental health,
neurological, orthopedic, and genetic conditions across the lifespan, including screening, effects across the lifespan,
and foundational pharmacology. This guide uses that publicly described scope and the listed topic areas.
Requested format: A, B, C, D choices. Correct answers are highlighted in green, questions in blue, and rationales in
gold. The answer and rationale appear immediately after each question.
1. A client with generalized anxiety disorder reports persistent excessive worry that interferes with
sleep and work. Which intervention is most consistent with occupational therapy goals?
A. Encourage avoidance of all anxiety-provoking occupations
B. Teach relaxation and coping strategies while gradually supporting participation
C. Recommend complete bed rest until anxiety resolves
D. Eliminate all social and work demands indefinitely
✓ Correct Answer: B. Teach relaxation and coping strategies while gradually supporting participation
Rationale: OT can address occupational performance by teaching coping/relaxation strategies and supporting graded
participation rather than reinforcing long-term avoidance.
2. Which feature is most characteristic of a panic attack?
A. A sudden surge of intense fear with physical symptoms
B. A chronic loss of motor coordination
C. Persistent elevated mood for several weeks
D. Progressive loss of memory
✓ Correct Answer: A. A sudden surge of intense fear with physical symptoms
Rationale: Panic attacks involve abrupt intense fear or discomfort accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations,
sweating, trembling, or shortness of breath.
3. A client with agoraphobia avoids public transportation because escape may feel difficult. What
occupational impact is most likely?
A. Improved community mobility
B. Reduced participation in community and instrumental activities
C. Increased tolerance of unpredictable environments
D. Elimination of all sensory processing concerns
✓ Correct Answer: B. Reduced participation in community and instrumental activities
Rationale: Avoidance can restrict community mobility, shopping, work, education, and other instrumental activities.
USAHS Conditions Exam 2 — Original Practice Guide Page 1
, 4. Which symptom is most directly associated with PTSD?
A. Re-experiencing a traumatic event
B. Lifelong absence of social communication
C. Progressive muscle weakness
D. Loss of all procedural memory
✓ Correct Answer: A. Re-experiencing a traumatic event
Rationale: PTSD may include intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance, negative mood/cognition changes,
and hyperarousal.
5. An OT working with a client who has PTSD notices that certain environmental cues trigger distress.
What is the most appropriate approach?
A. Ignore the client's triggers
B. Use trauma-informed care and collaborate on coping strategies
C. Force repeated exposure without preparation
D. Remove all meaningful occupations permanently
✓ Correct Answer: B. Use trauma-informed care and collaborate on coping strategies
Rationale: Trauma-informed care emphasizes safety, choice, collaboration, and avoiding unnecessary re-traumatization.
6. Which finding is commonly associated with schizophrenia?
A. Hallucinations or delusions
B. Only isolated muscle weakness
C. Consistently elevated mood without psychotic symptoms
D. A congenital movement disorder
✓ Correct Answer: A. Hallucinations or delusions
Rationale: Schizophrenia can involve psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, along with disorganized
thinking and negative symptoms.
7. A client with schizophrenia has difficulty initiating daily routines and shows reduced motivation.
Which occupational performance area is most directly affected?
A. Volition and initiation of occupations
B. Bone mineral density
C. Visual acuity only
D. Reflex maturation
✓ Correct Answer: A. Volition and initiation of occupations
Rationale: Negative symptoms can reduce motivation, initiation, and engagement in self-care, work, social participation,
and leisure.
8. Which OT intervention is most appropriate for a client with schizophrenia who has difficulty
managing a morning routine?
A. Use structured routines and task sequencing
B. Remove all visual cues
C. Avoid repetition
D. Increase task complexity immediately
✓ Correct Answer: A. Use structured routines and task sequencing
Rationale: Structure, sequencing, repetition, and environmental supports can improve task initiation and consistency.
USAHS Conditions Exam 2 — Original Practice Guide Page 2
40 Original Exam-Style Practice Questions & Answers
Mental Health • Anxiety • PTSD • Schizophrenia • ADHD • ASD • Cerebral Palsy • Occupational Therapy
Study-use notice: These are original exam-style practice questions. They are not leaked, copied, or represented as
the actual 2026/2027 USAHS examination. USAHS describes OCT 5151 Conditions as covering mental health,
neurological, orthopedic, and genetic conditions across the lifespan, including screening, effects across the lifespan,
and foundational pharmacology. This guide uses that publicly described scope and the listed topic areas.
Requested format: A, B, C, D choices. Correct answers are highlighted in green, questions in blue, and rationales in
gold. The answer and rationale appear immediately after each question.
1. A client with generalized anxiety disorder reports persistent excessive worry that interferes with
sleep and work. Which intervention is most consistent with occupational therapy goals?
A. Encourage avoidance of all anxiety-provoking occupations
B. Teach relaxation and coping strategies while gradually supporting participation
C. Recommend complete bed rest until anxiety resolves
D. Eliminate all social and work demands indefinitely
✓ Correct Answer: B. Teach relaxation and coping strategies while gradually supporting participation
Rationale: OT can address occupational performance by teaching coping/relaxation strategies and supporting graded
participation rather than reinforcing long-term avoidance.
2. Which feature is most characteristic of a panic attack?
A. A sudden surge of intense fear with physical symptoms
B. A chronic loss of motor coordination
C. Persistent elevated mood for several weeks
D. Progressive loss of memory
✓ Correct Answer: A. A sudden surge of intense fear with physical symptoms
Rationale: Panic attacks involve abrupt intense fear or discomfort accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations,
sweating, trembling, or shortness of breath.
3. A client with agoraphobia avoids public transportation because escape may feel difficult. What
occupational impact is most likely?
A. Improved community mobility
B. Reduced participation in community and instrumental activities
C. Increased tolerance of unpredictable environments
D. Elimination of all sensory processing concerns
✓ Correct Answer: B. Reduced participation in community and instrumental activities
Rationale: Avoidance can restrict community mobility, shopping, work, education, and other instrumental activities.
USAHS Conditions Exam 2 — Original Practice Guide Page 1
, 4. Which symptom is most directly associated with PTSD?
A. Re-experiencing a traumatic event
B. Lifelong absence of social communication
C. Progressive muscle weakness
D. Loss of all procedural memory
✓ Correct Answer: A. Re-experiencing a traumatic event
Rationale: PTSD may include intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance, negative mood/cognition changes,
and hyperarousal.
5. An OT working with a client who has PTSD notices that certain environmental cues trigger distress.
What is the most appropriate approach?
A. Ignore the client's triggers
B. Use trauma-informed care and collaborate on coping strategies
C. Force repeated exposure without preparation
D. Remove all meaningful occupations permanently
✓ Correct Answer: B. Use trauma-informed care and collaborate on coping strategies
Rationale: Trauma-informed care emphasizes safety, choice, collaboration, and avoiding unnecessary re-traumatization.
6. Which finding is commonly associated with schizophrenia?
A. Hallucinations or delusions
B. Only isolated muscle weakness
C. Consistently elevated mood without psychotic symptoms
D. A congenital movement disorder
✓ Correct Answer: A. Hallucinations or delusions
Rationale: Schizophrenia can involve psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, along with disorganized
thinking and negative symptoms.
7. A client with schizophrenia has difficulty initiating daily routines and shows reduced motivation.
Which occupational performance area is most directly affected?
A. Volition and initiation of occupations
B. Bone mineral density
C. Visual acuity only
D. Reflex maturation
✓ Correct Answer: A. Volition and initiation of occupations
Rationale: Negative symptoms can reduce motivation, initiation, and engagement in self-care, work, social participation,
and leisure.
8. Which OT intervention is most appropriate for a client with schizophrenia who has difficulty
managing a morning routine?
A. Use structured routines and task sequencing
B. Remove all visual cues
C. Avoid repetition
D. Increase task complexity immediately
✓ Correct Answer: A. Use structured routines and task sequencing
Rationale: Structure, sequencing, repetition, and environmental supports can improve task initiation and consistency.
USAHS Conditions Exam 2 — Original Practice Guide Page 2
