COTA Exam Study Guide Question
and answers correctly solved 2025
Sternal Precautions - correct answer -Do not lift more than 5-8 pounds.
-No pushing or pulling with your arms.
-Do not reach behind your back or reach both arms out to the side.
-Do not reach both arms overhead.
*For OT QUESTION*
D: The client must avoid one-sided lifting over 10 lb, pulling up (body weight),
and other movements that would strain the sternum for 6 to 12 weeks.
E: The client must refrain from driving, which strains the sternum because of
upper body torque.
F: The client must avoid Valsalva maneuvers, such as straining during bowel
movements, which strain the sternum.
An OTR® is evaluating a kindergarten student and determines that the child
has form constancy issues. Which intervention would support this student's
ability to successfully locate where to write the student's name on a
worksheet?
A. Provide materials for the student to develop a collage with the word "name"
printed in different fonts
B. Encourage the student to construct the letters in "name" on a pegboard or
a light box toy
C. Allow the student to spell the word "name" out loud before moving to the
worksheet
,D. Eliminate unnecessary information and decorations from the worksheet -
correct answer The right answer is A
*Form constancy* involves the recognition of forms regardless of the size,
shape, or position; developing a collage with the word "name" printed in
different fonts would help the student locate the correct space.
Explanations of Incorrect Answers
B: Encouraging the student to construct the letters in "name" on a pegboard or
light box toy would help with *visual closure difficulties*.
C: Allowing the student to spell the word "name" aloud would help with
*memory*.
D: Eliminating unnecessary information and decorations from the worksheet is
an adaptation for clients with *figure ground needs*.
When measuring a client for a wheelchair, what are the four basic
measurements the OTR®-COTA® team MUST take? - correct answer Seat
width, seat depth, seat height, seat-back height
Note: Footrests are adjustable and are not part of the basic required
measurements.
Do OTA's recommend supplements? - correct answer NO
During passive range of motion (PROM) exercises for a client with stroke, the
client's shoulder is resistant to flexion beyond 90°, although the client reports
being pain free. What does this finding suggest to the COTA®?
,A. Shoulder subluxation is inhibiting movement.
B. The scapula is not gliding to produce full flexion.
C. The humerus is locked in against the acromion.
D. Spasticity is preventing the shoulder from reaching full range. - correct
answer The right answer is B
The muscles supporting the scapula have likely shortened from disuse and
are limiting the full range of shoulder motion. Both the humerus and the
scapula must move to support full shoulder motion.
Explanations of Incorrect Answers
A: Shoulder subluxation would limit ROM because of the pain it causes, but
this client is without pain.
C: Mechanical joint limitations such as the humerus hitting the acromion
during PROM would result in painful motion.
D: Spasticity limits full ROM when velocity is a factor in movement; slow
passive movement with a limitation in motion suggests that soft tissue
shortening of muscles is limiting the range.
A COTA® is treating a 4-year-old child with autism. At the gym, the child
appeared very guarded with movement and does not want to climb the stairs,
try the swing, or use the mini seesaw. When the COTA® encourages the child
to jump on the trampoline, the child runs to the mother and cries. What is the
MOST likely reason for these behaviors?
A. Tactile defensiveness
B. Vestibular bilateral integration problems
, C. Gravitational insecurity
D. Visuoconstructional dyspraxia - correct answer The right answer is C
Overresponsiveness to vestibular sensations and avoidance of movements
that require changes in position are typical indicators of gravitational
insecurity.
A 9-year-old client with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis has a goal to decrease
stiffness and promote joint alignment. What orthosis would be MOST
appropriate to help this client?
A. Neoprene thumb loop splint
B. Resting pan splint
C. Wrist cock-up splint
D. Ulnar deviation splint - correct answer The right answer is B
A resting pan splint promotes joint alignment and reduces stiffness.
Explanations of Incorrect Answers
A: A neoprene thumb loop split helps reduce spasticity and enable an optimal
position to pick up and hold toys.
C: A wrist cock-up splint promotes wrist extension.
D: An ulnar deviation splint prevents drift of the metacarpophalangeal joints
toward the small finger.
and answers correctly solved 2025
Sternal Precautions - correct answer -Do not lift more than 5-8 pounds.
-No pushing or pulling with your arms.
-Do not reach behind your back or reach both arms out to the side.
-Do not reach both arms overhead.
*For OT QUESTION*
D: The client must avoid one-sided lifting over 10 lb, pulling up (body weight),
and other movements that would strain the sternum for 6 to 12 weeks.
E: The client must refrain from driving, which strains the sternum because of
upper body torque.
F: The client must avoid Valsalva maneuvers, such as straining during bowel
movements, which strain the sternum.
An OTR® is evaluating a kindergarten student and determines that the child
has form constancy issues. Which intervention would support this student's
ability to successfully locate where to write the student's name on a
worksheet?
A. Provide materials for the student to develop a collage with the word "name"
printed in different fonts
B. Encourage the student to construct the letters in "name" on a pegboard or
a light box toy
C. Allow the student to spell the word "name" out loud before moving to the
worksheet
,D. Eliminate unnecessary information and decorations from the worksheet -
correct answer The right answer is A
*Form constancy* involves the recognition of forms regardless of the size,
shape, or position; developing a collage with the word "name" printed in
different fonts would help the student locate the correct space.
Explanations of Incorrect Answers
B: Encouraging the student to construct the letters in "name" on a pegboard or
light box toy would help with *visual closure difficulties*.
C: Allowing the student to spell the word "name" aloud would help with
*memory*.
D: Eliminating unnecessary information and decorations from the worksheet is
an adaptation for clients with *figure ground needs*.
When measuring a client for a wheelchair, what are the four basic
measurements the OTR®-COTA® team MUST take? - correct answer Seat
width, seat depth, seat height, seat-back height
Note: Footrests are adjustable and are not part of the basic required
measurements.
Do OTA's recommend supplements? - correct answer NO
During passive range of motion (PROM) exercises for a client with stroke, the
client's shoulder is resistant to flexion beyond 90°, although the client reports
being pain free. What does this finding suggest to the COTA®?
,A. Shoulder subluxation is inhibiting movement.
B. The scapula is not gliding to produce full flexion.
C. The humerus is locked in against the acromion.
D. Spasticity is preventing the shoulder from reaching full range. - correct
answer The right answer is B
The muscles supporting the scapula have likely shortened from disuse and
are limiting the full range of shoulder motion. Both the humerus and the
scapula must move to support full shoulder motion.
Explanations of Incorrect Answers
A: Shoulder subluxation would limit ROM because of the pain it causes, but
this client is without pain.
C: Mechanical joint limitations such as the humerus hitting the acromion
during PROM would result in painful motion.
D: Spasticity limits full ROM when velocity is a factor in movement; slow
passive movement with a limitation in motion suggests that soft tissue
shortening of muscles is limiting the range.
A COTA® is treating a 4-year-old child with autism. At the gym, the child
appeared very guarded with movement and does not want to climb the stairs,
try the swing, or use the mini seesaw. When the COTA® encourages the child
to jump on the trampoline, the child runs to the mother and cries. What is the
MOST likely reason for these behaviors?
A. Tactile defensiveness
B. Vestibular bilateral integration problems
, C. Gravitational insecurity
D. Visuoconstructional dyspraxia - correct answer The right answer is C
Overresponsiveness to vestibular sensations and avoidance of movements
that require changes in position are typical indicators of gravitational
insecurity.
A 9-year-old client with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis has a goal to decrease
stiffness and promote joint alignment. What orthosis would be MOST
appropriate to help this client?
A. Neoprene thumb loop splint
B. Resting pan splint
C. Wrist cock-up splint
D. Ulnar deviation splint - correct answer The right answer is B
A resting pan splint promotes joint alignment and reduces stiffness.
Explanations of Incorrect Answers
A: A neoprene thumb loop split helps reduce spasticity and enable an optimal
position to pick up and hold toys.
C: A wrist cock-up splint promotes wrist extension.
D: An ulnar deviation splint prevents drift of the metacarpophalangeal joints
toward the small finger.
