AOTA Board Certification in Gerontology
1. An older adult client with macular degeneration reports difficulty reading. Which
intervention is MOST appropriate?
A. Recommend an eye patch to improve peripheral vision
B. Use strong overhead lighting to increase contrast
C. Provide magnifiers and high-contrast reading materials
D. Encourage reading at night when it’s quieter
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Magnifiers and high-contrast materials address central vision loss due to
macular degeneration. Overhead lighting can cause glare; eye patches are not effective here.
2. A client recently diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s disease is experiencing difficulty
managing medications. What is the MOST appropriate intervention?
A. Recommend a locked medication cabinet
B. Suggest daily reminders by a caregiver
C. Train client to use a pill organizer with alarms
D. Discontinue medications to avoid risk
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: A pill organizer with alarms promotes independence while compensating for
memory loss.
3. Which occupation is MOST likely to be affected first in the early stages of Parkinson’s
disease?
A. Driving
B. Managing finances
C. Social participation
D. Feeding self
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Fine motor and cognitive demands of financial tasks make them vulnerable
early in Parkinson’s progression.
,4. During a home safety assessment, the OT notes loose rugs, poor lighting, and cluttered
walkways. What is the therapist’s BEST recommendation?
A. Schedule physical therapy
B. Remove hazards and educate on fall prevention
C. Recommend use of a hospital bed
D. Teach cane use indoors
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Addressing environmental hazards is key in fall prevention strategies for older
adults.
5. What is the PRIMARY goal of OT when working with older adults with chronic
conditions?
A. Restore full physical function
B. Prevent caregiver burnout
C. Promote participation and occupational engagement
D. Cure the disease
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: OT aims to support meaningful engagement in daily activities despite chronic
illness.
6. A 78-year-old client has difficulty standing from low chairs. What is the MOST
appropriate recommendation?
A. Suggest bed rest
B. Refer to a neurologist
C. Recommend a lift chair or chair with arms
D. Prescribe muscle relaxants
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Chairs with arms or lift features promote safe transfers and reduce fall risk.
7. A client with dementia becomes agitated during bathing. What should the OT do FIRST?
A. Restrain the client to ensure safety
B. Allow the client to bathe independently
C. Modify the bathing routine and environment
D. Discontinue bathing altogether
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Adapting routines and environments can reduce behavioral symptoms in
dementia care.
8. What nutritional concern is MOST common in community-dwelling older adults?
A. Overeating
B. High protein intake
,C. Malnutrition
D. Excess iron
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Malnutrition, often due to isolation or limited access, is a key concern in aging
populations.
9. An OT uses a life history collage as part of therapy. This intervention BEST supports:
A. Executive functioning
B. Reality orientation
C. Reminiscence and identity
D. Visual perception
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Life story work helps preserve identity and improve mood, especially in those
with dementia.
10. The OT is evaluating an older adult post-stroke with hemiplegia. What is the therapist’s
FIRST priority?
A. Assess for adaptive driving
B. Teach the client to use a cane
C. Promote safe transfers and mobility
D. Assess for depression
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Safety with basic mobility and transfers comes first in early stroke rehab.
11. A client with COPD reports fatigue during dressing. What strategy is MOST appropriate?
A. Encourage rest after dressing
B. Incorporate energy conservation techniques
C. Teach the client to dress while standing
D. Discontinue dressing tasks
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Energy conservation reduces fatigue and promotes task completion.
12. In which setting is OT most likely to support older adults with aging-in-place
interventions?
A. Skilled nursing facility
B. Home health
C. Acute care
D. Psychiatric hospital
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Home health is ideal for evaluating and adapting the home for aging in place.
, 13. The OT recommends grab bars for a client at home. Where is the MOST important place
to install them?
A. Kitchen cabinets
B. Bedroom dresser
C. Toilet and shower area
D. Entry door
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Toileting and bathing are high-fall-risk activities; grab bars promote safety.
14. What is the PRIMARY benefit of interprofessional collaboration in geriatric care?
A. Decreased OT caseload
B. Avoid duplication of services
C. Increase medication use
D. Reduce therapy frequency
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Collaboration ensures coordinated, holistic care and avoids redundancy.
15. What is the BEST approach when an older adult with dementia wanders at night?
A. Use physical restraints
B. Lock the bedroom door
C. Install a motion sensor and simplify environment
D. Allow free wandering
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Environmental modifications support safety while preserving dignity.
16. Which type of memory is typically preserved longest in older adults with Alzheimer’s
disease?
A. Short-term memory
B. Working memory
C. Procedural memory
D. Episodic memory
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Procedural memory (e.g., routines, habits) often remains intact the longest.
17. The OT evaluates an older adult with poor balance and fear of falling. What tool is
MOST appropriate?
A. DASH
B. Berg Balance Scale
C. ACLS
1. An older adult client with macular degeneration reports difficulty reading. Which
intervention is MOST appropriate?
A. Recommend an eye patch to improve peripheral vision
B. Use strong overhead lighting to increase contrast
C. Provide magnifiers and high-contrast reading materials
D. Encourage reading at night when it’s quieter
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Magnifiers and high-contrast materials address central vision loss due to
macular degeneration. Overhead lighting can cause glare; eye patches are not effective here.
2. A client recently diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s disease is experiencing difficulty
managing medications. What is the MOST appropriate intervention?
A. Recommend a locked medication cabinet
B. Suggest daily reminders by a caregiver
C. Train client to use a pill organizer with alarms
D. Discontinue medications to avoid risk
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: A pill organizer with alarms promotes independence while compensating for
memory loss.
3. Which occupation is MOST likely to be affected first in the early stages of Parkinson’s
disease?
A. Driving
B. Managing finances
C. Social participation
D. Feeding self
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Fine motor and cognitive demands of financial tasks make them vulnerable
early in Parkinson’s progression.
,4. During a home safety assessment, the OT notes loose rugs, poor lighting, and cluttered
walkways. What is the therapist’s BEST recommendation?
A. Schedule physical therapy
B. Remove hazards and educate on fall prevention
C. Recommend use of a hospital bed
D. Teach cane use indoors
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Addressing environmental hazards is key in fall prevention strategies for older
adults.
5. What is the PRIMARY goal of OT when working with older adults with chronic
conditions?
A. Restore full physical function
B. Prevent caregiver burnout
C. Promote participation and occupational engagement
D. Cure the disease
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: OT aims to support meaningful engagement in daily activities despite chronic
illness.
6. A 78-year-old client has difficulty standing from low chairs. What is the MOST
appropriate recommendation?
A. Suggest bed rest
B. Refer to a neurologist
C. Recommend a lift chair or chair with arms
D. Prescribe muscle relaxants
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Chairs with arms or lift features promote safe transfers and reduce fall risk.
7. A client with dementia becomes agitated during bathing. What should the OT do FIRST?
A. Restrain the client to ensure safety
B. Allow the client to bathe independently
C. Modify the bathing routine and environment
D. Discontinue bathing altogether
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Adapting routines and environments can reduce behavioral symptoms in
dementia care.
8. What nutritional concern is MOST common in community-dwelling older adults?
A. Overeating
B. High protein intake
,C. Malnutrition
D. Excess iron
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Malnutrition, often due to isolation or limited access, is a key concern in aging
populations.
9. An OT uses a life history collage as part of therapy. This intervention BEST supports:
A. Executive functioning
B. Reality orientation
C. Reminiscence and identity
D. Visual perception
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Life story work helps preserve identity and improve mood, especially in those
with dementia.
10. The OT is evaluating an older adult post-stroke with hemiplegia. What is the therapist’s
FIRST priority?
A. Assess for adaptive driving
B. Teach the client to use a cane
C. Promote safe transfers and mobility
D. Assess for depression
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Safety with basic mobility and transfers comes first in early stroke rehab.
11. A client with COPD reports fatigue during dressing. What strategy is MOST appropriate?
A. Encourage rest after dressing
B. Incorporate energy conservation techniques
C. Teach the client to dress while standing
D. Discontinue dressing tasks
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Energy conservation reduces fatigue and promotes task completion.
12. In which setting is OT most likely to support older adults with aging-in-place
interventions?
A. Skilled nursing facility
B. Home health
C. Acute care
D. Psychiatric hospital
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Home health is ideal for evaluating and adapting the home for aging in place.
, 13. The OT recommends grab bars for a client at home. Where is the MOST important place
to install them?
A. Kitchen cabinets
B. Bedroom dresser
C. Toilet and shower area
D. Entry door
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Toileting and bathing are high-fall-risk activities; grab bars promote safety.
14. What is the PRIMARY benefit of interprofessional collaboration in geriatric care?
A. Decreased OT caseload
B. Avoid duplication of services
C. Increase medication use
D. Reduce therapy frequency
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Collaboration ensures coordinated, holistic care and avoids redundancy.
15. What is the BEST approach when an older adult with dementia wanders at night?
A. Use physical restraints
B. Lock the bedroom door
C. Install a motion sensor and simplify environment
D. Allow free wandering
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Environmental modifications support safety while preserving dignity.
16. Which type of memory is typically preserved longest in older adults with Alzheimer’s
disease?
A. Short-term memory
B. Working memory
C. Procedural memory
D. Episodic memory
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Procedural memory (e.g., routines, habits) often remains intact the longest.
17. The OT evaluates an older adult with poor balance and fear of falling. What tool is
MOST appropriate?
A. DASH
B. Berg Balance Scale
C. ACLS
