NBCOT Practice Exam questions (185 question
review) Practice Questions, and Proven
Strategies to Pass First Try (2026 Edition)
A client arrives for an occupational therapy evaluation upset
because of an inability to travel home in time to attend the
wedding of a family member. Which response by the COTA®
communicates a professional use of empathy? - ✔✔ANSWER
✔✔-"You seem upset that you are going to miss the wedding."
This response best communicates empathy; it validates the
client's feelings in a nonjudgmental manner.
A COTA® is reviewing the medical chart of a client who has
Parkinson's disease. The neurologist has indicated that the
client has a festinating gait. What does the client's gait look
like? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-The client's steps are small and rapid.
,**Festinating gait is marked by small, rapid steps resulting from
a forward-tilted posture of the head and trunk.**
An OTR® has completed an initial evaluation with a client who
has relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis. Sensorimotor
skills assessment indicates that the client's daily activities are
limited by low endurance and decreased upper-extremity
coordination. In addition, the client has been unable to remain
in a job as a clerical worker. What additional information, that
the COTA® can gather, is MOST important before developing an
intervention plan? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Contextual and
environmental factors that support the client's ability to adapt
**Contextual and environmental factors provide information
about a client's available support systems, which can influence
his or her ability to adapt to the diagnosis.**
The client lives in a long-term care facility and uses a
wheelchair to get to the dining room. The COTA®has removed
the client's wheelchair footrests. Which reason BEST explains
why the COTA® removed the footrests from the wheelchair? -
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-The client propels the chair using only the
feet.
,**When a client propels a wheelchair using only the feet,
footrests are removed because they are in the way.**
A, D: Even if staff push the client or the client propels the chair
using only the hands, the client would still need to have the
feet on the footrests so that the legs do not dangle.
B: A drop seat could be used if the client's legs are short to
make sure the feet are supported on the footrests and do not
dangle.
A COTA® is working with an infant who is recovering from a
brachial plexus injury. What type of sling should the COTA®
fabricate? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-A sling that fits proximally around
the humerus
A sling that fits proximally around the humerus will prevent the
child from sustaining further injury to the brachial plexus during
ADLs.
**B, C, D: A sling that was fit proximally around the radius,
ulna, or clavicle would not be effective in preventing the child
from sustaining further injury to the brachial plexus.**
, Which client factor is likely affected in a client in the hospital-
based setting with Guillain-Barré syndrome? - ✔✔ANSWER
✔✔-Sensation
Because of the painful sensations that are intially reported with
Guillain-Barré syndrome, the client's tolerance for tactile input
and current sensory abilities will likely influence interventions
with the client.
**B, C, D: Cognition, vision, and hearing are not affected by
Guillain-Barré syndrome.**
The initial evaluation documentation for a client with
Parkinson's disease indicates that the OTR asked the client to
"pretend you are brushing your teeth," that is, show the
movement of brushing teeth without using the supplies needed
for brushing teeth. The client was unable to initiate movement
of the dominant arm toward the mouth to demonstrate oral
hygiene. Which step should the COTA® take NEXT in the
evaluation of this client? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Observe as the
client brushes teeth with toothbrush and toothpaste at the
bathroom sink
review) Practice Questions, and Proven
Strategies to Pass First Try (2026 Edition)
A client arrives for an occupational therapy evaluation upset
because of an inability to travel home in time to attend the
wedding of a family member. Which response by the COTA®
communicates a professional use of empathy? - ✔✔ANSWER
✔✔-"You seem upset that you are going to miss the wedding."
This response best communicates empathy; it validates the
client's feelings in a nonjudgmental manner.
A COTA® is reviewing the medical chart of a client who has
Parkinson's disease. The neurologist has indicated that the
client has a festinating gait. What does the client's gait look
like? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-The client's steps are small and rapid.
,**Festinating gait is marked by small, rapid steps resulting from
a forward-tilted posture of the head and trunk.**
An OTR® has completed an initial evaluation with a client who
has relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis. Sensorimotor
skills assessment indicates that the client's daily activities are
limited by low endurance and decreased upper-extremity
coordination. In addition, the client has been unable to remain
in a job as a clerical worker. What additional information, that
the COTA® can gather, is MOST important before developing an
intervention plan? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Contextual and
environmental factors that support the client's ability to adapt
**Contextual and environmental factors provide information
about a client's available support systems, which can influence
his or her ability to adapt to the diagnosis.**
The client lives in a long-term care facility and uses a
wheelchair to get to the dining room. The COTA®has removed
the client's wheelchair footrests. Which reason BEST explains
why the COTA® removed the footrests from the wheelchair? -
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-The client propels the chair using only the
feet.
,**When a client propels a wheelchair using only the feet,
footrests are removed because they are in the way.**
A, D: Even if staff push the client or the client propels the chair
using only the hands, the client would still need to have the
feet on the footrests so that the legs do not dangle.
B: A drop seat could be used if the client's legs are short to
make sure the feet are supported on the footrests and do not
dangle.
A COTA® is working with an infant who is recovering from a
brachial plexus injury. What type of sling should the COTA®
fabricate? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-A sling that fits proximally around
the humerus
A sling that fits proximally around the humerus will prevent the
child from sustaining further injury to the brachial plexus during
ADLs.
**B, C, D: A sling that was fit proximally around the radius,
ulna, or clavicle would not be effective in preventing the child
from sustaining further injury to the brachial plexus.**
, Which client factor is likely affected in a client in the hospital-
based setting with Guillain-Barré syndrome? - ✔✔ANSWER
✔✔-Sensation
Because of the painful sensations that are intially reported with
Guillain-Barré syndrome, the client's tolerance for tactile input
and current sensory abilities will likely influence interventions
with the client.
**B, C, D: Cognition, vision, and hearing are not affected by
Guillain-Barré syndrome.**
The initial evaluation documentation for a client with
Parkinson's disease indicates that the OTR asked the client to
"pretend you are brushing your teeth," that is, show the
movement of brushing teeth without using the supplies needed
for brushing teeth. The client was unable to initiate movement
of the dominant arm toward the mouth to demonstrate oral
hygiene. Which step should the COTA® take NEXT in the
evaluation of this client? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Observe as the
client brushes teeth with toothbrush and toothpaste at the
bathroom sink
