NBCOT EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2025|2026 Q&A | INSTANTDOWNLOAD PDF
1. A client recovering from a stroke demonstrates difficulty using the affected
arm during grooming tasks. What intervention would best promote
functional use of the limb?
o A. Passive range of motion
o B. Constraint-induced movement therapy
o C. Providing a splint for stability
o D. Teaching compensatory one-handed techniques
Answer: B. Constraint-induced movement therapy
Rationale: CIMT encourages active use of the affected limb by
restricting the unaffected one, promoting neuroplasticity and
recovery.
2. An OT is educating a client with COPD about energy conservation. Which is
the BEST recommendation?
o A. Avoid rest breaks to build endurance
o B. Sit to perform self-care tasks
o C. Hold breath during exertion
o D. Perform tasks quickly
Answer: B. Sit to perform self-care tasks
Rationale: Sitting reduces energy expenditure and shortness of
breath, a key strategy in energy conservation for COPD.
3. A child with autism demonstrates difficulty transitioning between
classroom activities. What is the most effective OT strategy?
o A. Ignore the behavior until the child adapts
o B. Use a visual schedule
, o C. Provide verbal reprimands
o D. Allow unlimited free choice
Answer: B. Use a visual schedule
Rationale: Visual schedules support predictability, reduce anxiety, and
help children with autism manage transitions.
4. Which adaptive device would MOST benefit a client with rheumatoid
arthritis who has difficulty with handwriting?
o A. Built-up pen grip
o B. Weighted pencil
o C. Standard pen
o D. Pencil sharpener
Answer: A. Built-up pen grip
Rationale: A built-up grip decreases stress on joints and makes
writing less painful for individuals with RA.
5. During feeding therapy, a client with dysphagia coughs after swallowing
thin liquids. What is the OT’s best immediate recommendation?
o A. Continue thin liquids
o B. Switch to thickened liquids
o C. Eliminate liquids entirely
o D. Provide extra water
Answer: B. Switch to thickened liquids
Rationale: Thickened liquids reduce aspiration risk and improve
swallowing safety in dysphagia management.
6. A client with Parkinson’s disease has freezing episodes while walking.
Which strategy is most effective to improve mobility?
o A. Walk faster to overcome freezing
o B. Use visual or auditory cues
o C. Stop all movement until freezing passes
, o D. Encourage multitasking while walking
Answer: B. Use visual or auditory cues
Rationale: External cues help initiate movement and reduce freezing
episodes in Parkinson’s gait training.
7. A 7-year-old with developmental coordination disorder struggles with
buttoning clothing. Which intervention is most appropriate?
o A. Practice buttoning on a dressing board
o B. Eliminate buttoned clothing
o C. Teach only shoe-tying
o D. Provide hand-strengthening exercises only
Answer: A. Practice buttoning on a dressing board
Rationale: Graded practice on dressing boards builds skill in a
controlled way before applying to daily tasks.
8. An OT is evaluating an elderly client with fall risk. Which home modification
is MOST important?
o A. Place rugs throughout the home
o B. Install grab bars in the bathroom
o C. Lower all lighting
o D. Add more furniture in hallways
Answer: B. Install grab bars in the bathroom
Rationale: Bathrooms are high fall-risk areas; grab bars provide
stability and reduce accidents.
9. A client recovering from hip replacement demonstrates difficulty donning
socks. What assistive device is most appropriate?
o A. Reacher
o B. Sock aid
o C. Long-handled sponge
, o D. Shoe horn
Answer: B. Sock aid
Rationale: A sock aid allows clients with hip precautions to dress
without bending forward beyond 90 degrees.
10.An OT is working with a client with a spinal cord injury (C6). Which activity
is MOST realistic to achieve independence?
• A. Self-feeding with adaptive utensils
• B. Walking with crutches
• C. Independent stair climbing
• D. Cooking without assistance
Answer: A. Self-feeding with adaptive utensils
Rationale: At C6 level, clients have wrist extension, allowing use of adaptive
utensils for independent feeding.
11.A client with multiple sclerosis complains of fatigue while cooking meals.
Which OT strategy is BEST?
• A. Cook all meals at once
• B. Alternate periods of activity and rest
• C. Avoid all meal preparation
• D. Cook only in the evening
Answer: B. Alternate periods of activity and rest
Rationale: Energy conservation through pacing allows clients with MS to
manage fatigue effectively.
12.A client with right CVA shows left-sided neglect. What intervention is most
effective during grooming?
• A. Place grooming items on the left side
• B. Place grooming items on the right side
• C. Provide all grooming assistance
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2025|2026 Q&A | INSTANTDOWNLOAD PDF
1. A client recovering from a stroke demonstrates difficulty using the affected
arm during grooming tasks. What intervention would best promote
functional use of the limb?
o A. Passive range of motion
o B. Constraint-induced movement therapy
o C. Providing a splint for stability
o D. Teaching compensatory one-handed techniques
Answer: B. Constraint-induced movement therapy
Rationale: CIMT encourages active use of the affected limb by
restricting the unaffected one, promoting neuroplasticity and
recovery.
2. An OT is educating a client with COPD about energy conservation. Which is
the BEST recommendation?
o A. Avoid rest breaks to build endurance
o B. Sit to perform self-care tasks
o C. Hold breath during exertion
o D. Perform tasks quickly
Answer: B. Sit to perform self-care tasks
Rationale: Sitting reduces energy expenditure and shortness of
breath, a key strategy in energy conservation for COPD.
3. A child with autism demonstrates difficulty transitioning between
classroom activities. What is the most effective OT strategy?
o A. Ignore the behavior until the child adapts
o B. Use a visual schedule
, o C. Provide verbal reprimands
o D. Allow unlimited free choice
Answer: B. Use a visual schedule
Rationale: Visual schedules support predictability, reduce anxiety, and
help children with autism manage transitions.
4. Which adaptive device would MOST benefit a client with rheumatoid
arthritis who has difficulty with handwriting?
o A. Built-up pen grip
o B. Weighted pencil
o C. Standard pen
o D. Pencil sharpener
Answer: A. Built-up pen grip
Rationale: A built-up grip decreases stress on joints and makes
writing less painful for individuals with RA.
5. During feeding therapy, a client with dysphagia coughs after swallowing
thin liquids. What is the OT’s best immediate recommendation?
o A. Continue thin liquids
o B. Switch to thickened liquids
o C. Eliminate liquids entirely
o D. Provide extra water
Answer: B. Switch to thickened liquids
Rationale: Thickened liquids reduce aspiration risk and improve
swallowing safety in dysphagia management.
6. A client with Parkinson’s disease has freezing episodes while walking.
Which strategy is most effective to improve mobility?
o A. Walk faster to overcome freezing
o B. Use visual or auditory cues
o C. Stop all movement until freezing passes
, o D. Encourage multitasking while walking
Answer: B. Use visual or auditory cues
Rationale: External cues help initiate movement and reduce freezing
episodes in Parkinson’s gait training.
7. A 7-year-old with developmental coordination disorder struggles with
buttoning clothing. Which intervention is most appropriate?
o A. Practice buttoning on a dressing board
o B. Eliminate buttoned clothing
o C. Teach only shoe-tying
o D. Provide hand-strengthening exercises only
Answer: A. Practice buttoning on a dressing board
Rationale: Graded practice on dressing boards builds skill in a
controlled way before applying to daily tasks.
8. An OT is evaluating an elderly client with fall risk. Which home modification
is MOST important?
o A. Place rugs throughout the home
o B. Install grab bars in the bathroom
o C. Lower all lighting
o D. Add more furniture in hallways
Answer: B. Install grab bars in the bathroom
Rationale: Bathrooms are high fall-risk areas; grab bars provide
stability and reduce accidents.
9. A client recovering from hip replacement demonstrates difficulty donning
socks. What assistive device is most appropriate?
o A. Reacher
o B. Sock aid
o C. Long-handled sponge
, o D. Shoe horn
Answer: B. Sock aid
Rationale: A sock aid allows clients with hip precautions to dress
without bending forward beyond 90 degrees.
10.An OT is working with a client with a spinal cord injury (C6). Which activity
is MOST realistic to achieve independence?
• A. Self-feeding with adaptive utensils
• B. Walking with crutches
• C. Independent stair climbing
• D. Cooking without assistance
Answer: A. Self-feeding with adaptive utensils
Rationale: At C6 level, clients have wrist extension, allowing use of adaptive
utensils for independent feeding.
11.A client with multiple sclerosis complains of fatigue while cooking meals.
Which OT strategy is BEST?
• A. Cook all meals at once
• B. Alternate periods of activity and rest
• C. Avoid all meal preparation
• D. Cook only in the evening
Answer: B. Alternate periods of activity and rest
Rationale: Energy conservation through pacing allows clients with MS to
manage fatigue effectively.
12.A client with right CVA shows left-sided neglect. What intervention is most
effective during grooming?
• A. Place grooming items on the left side
• B. Place grooming items on the right side
• C. Provide all grooming assistance
