NSG 530 Final Exam Clinical Reasoning 2026/2027 | Advanced
Pathophysiology Exam Review
1. Secondary conditions are those conditions that are causally related to a
primary disabling condition. An example of a secondary condition would be:
Muscle contracture due to immobility from long term casting
Cerebral palsy
Broken leg
Traumatic brain injury
2. A novice practitioner:
all of the above
can quickly identify key elements and their relationships in an
problem-solving situation.
is likely to be slow and rule-bound in decision making.
can achieve expertise quickly with good supervision (in less than one
year or so).
3. When faced with an ethical dilemma, occupational therapists rely on:
Opinions of family members and friends
Supervisors and governing entities to give them the answers
Chaos Theory to provide clues for rectifying the situation
Analysis of the facts, including the setting and key people involved;
personal values and beliefs; and the guidelines provided by the
AOTA
,4. In a scenario where an occupational therapist is assessing an elderly client
from a different cultural background, which approach should the therapist
prioritize to ensure effective evaluation?
Integrating cultural considerations into the assessment process
Relying on family input without considering the client's perspective
Using standard assessment tools without modification
Focusing solely on physical health issues
5. Evaluation is basically used to determine a person's level of occupational
performance skill and functional ability both present and past. The therapist
in an initial or screening evaluation should
Pay attention to normal and above-normal performance as well as
dysfunction (past and present)
Determine the past and current levels of function due to conditions
presenting the patient to occupational therapy
Determine what functions are slow and regressed to speed up
treatment procedures
6. Occupational therapists should treat the client in accordance to their desires
and the client's boundaries.
Fidelity
Justice
Nonmalefecience
Autonomy
Veracity
Beneficence
,7. What does the PAC outcome measure assess in occupational therapy?
Cultural competence of the therapist.
Patient satisfaction with therapy.
Client outcomes related to occupational performance.
Therapist's effectiveness in treatment.
8. Older adults may experience more than one chronic health condition. This
may affect functional independence
may reduce quality of life
all of the potential answers are correct
may increase strain on Medicare
9. Name two client-centered assessment tools commonly used for adults in
occupational therapy.
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Beck Depression
Inventory (BDI)
Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and
Occupational Self Assessment (OSA)
DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) and SF-36 Health
Survey
Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Barthel Index
10. What is the primary focus of the scientific element of clinical reasoning in
occupational therapy?
Client-centered approach
Holistic assessment
, Cultural competence
Evidence-based practice
11. In a scenario where a therapist must choose between two treatment options,
one benefiting a majority of clients and the other addressing a specific
individual's unique needs, how should the principle of the greatest good
guide their decision?
The therapist should prioritize the treatment that has the most
evidence-based support regardless of client needs.
The therapist should evaluate which option maximizes overall client
benefit while considering the specific needs of the individual.
The therapist should select the treatment that requires the least
amount of resources.
The therapist should choose the option that is most popular among
colleagues.
12. What are the stages involved in the development of clinical reasoning in
occupational therapy?
The stages include preparation, execution, reflection, and adaptation.
The stages include novice, advanced beginner, competent,
proficient, and expert.
The stages include observation, analysis, intervention, and evaluation.
The stages include assessment, planning, implementation, and review.
13. Assessing the health of the older adult can be challenging due to several
factors. What is the most significant factor contributing to the complexity of
assessing health and functioning in the older adult?
Pathophysiology Exam Review
1. Secondary conditions are those conditions that are causally related to a
primary disabling condition. An example of a secondary condition would be:
Muscle contracture due to immobility from long term casting
Cerebral palsy
Broken leg
Traumatic brain injury
2. A novice practitioner:
all of the above
can quickly identify key elements and their relationships in an
problem-solving situation.
is likely to be slow and rule-bound in decision making.
can achieve expertise quickly with good supervision (in less than one
year or so).
3. When faced with an ethical dilemma, occupational therapists rely on:
Opinions of family members and friends
Supervisors and governing entities to give them the answers
Chaos Theory to provide clues for rectifying the situation
Analysis of the facts, including the setting and key people involved;
personal values and beliefs; and the guidelines provided by the
AOTA
,4. In a scenario where an occupational therapist is assessing an elderly client
from a different cultural background, which approach should the therapist
prioritize to ensure effective evaluation?
Integrating cultural considerations into the assessment process
Relying on family input without considering the client's perspective
Using standard assessment tools without modification
Focusing solely on physical health issues
5. Evaluation is basically used to determine a person's level of occupational
performance skill and functional ability both present and past. The therapist
in an initial or screening evaluation should
Pay attention to normal and above-normal performance as well as
dysfunction (past and present)
Determine the past and current levels of function due to conditions
presenting the patient to occupational therapy
Determine what functions are slow and regressed to speed up
treatment procedures
6. Occupational therapists should treat the client in accordance to their desires
and the client's boundaries.
Fidelity
Justice
Nonmalefecience
Autonomy
Veracity
Beneficence
,7. What does the PAC outcome measure assess in occupational therapy?
Cultural competence of the therapist.
Patient satisfaction with therapy.
Client outcomes related to occupational performance.
Therapist's effectiveness in treatment.
8. Older adults may experience more than one chronic health condition. This
may affect functional independence
may reduce quality of life
all of the potential answers are correct
may increase strain on Medicare
9. Name two client-centered assessment tools commonly used for adults in
occupational therapy.
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Beck Depression
Inventory (BDI)
Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and
Occupational Self Assessment (OSA)
DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) and SF-36 Health
Survey
Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Barthel Index
10. What is the primary focus of the scientific element of clinical reasoning in
occupational therapy?
Client-centered approach
Holistic assessment
, Cultural competence
Evidence-based practice
11. In a scenario where a therapist must choose between two treatment options,
one benefiting a majority of clients and the other addressing a specific
individual's unique needs, how should the principle of the greatest good
guide their decision?
The therapist should prioritize the treatment that has the most
evidence-based support regardless of client needs.
The therapist should evaluate which option maximizes overall client
benefit while considering the specific needs of the individual.
The therapist should select the treatment that requires the least
amount of resources.
The therapist should choose the option that is most popular among
colleagues.
12. What are the stages involved in the development of clinical reasoning in
occupational therapy?
The stages include preparation, execution, reflection, and adaptation.
The stages include novice, advanced beginner, competent,
proficient, and expert.
The stages include observation, analysis, intervention, and evaluation.
The stages include assessment, planning, implementation, and review.
13. Assessing the health of the older adult can be challenging due to several
factors. What is the most significant factor contributing to the complexity of
assessing health and functioning in the older adult?
