NBCOT Exam Study Guide Practice Test (170 Questions) Graded A+ 2023

NBCOT Exam Study Guide Practice Test (170 Questions) Graded A+ 2023 A patient in the early stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) presents with weakness in the thenar eminence. During which ADL task would the evaluating OTR® MOST LIKELY observe the effect on function? A. Transferring from the bed to the bedside commode B. Taking a sip from a glass of water C. Reaching overhead to don a T-shirt D. Squeezing toothpaste onto a toothbrush Solution: The correct answer is D. Typical early signs of ALS are distal, with weakness of the small muscles of the hand being the most typical initial symptom. The muscles that make up the thenar eminence are responsible for opposition of the thumb. Squeezing toothpaste and holding a toothbrush require grasp-and-pinch patterns that involve thumb opposition. A: Transferring from the bed to the bedside commode is not the best answer because performing a transfer puts more emphasis on the lower extremities and trunk muscles versus the distal, small muscles of the hand. B: Although sipping water from a glass involves grasp, the thumb is more abducted in this position.