COTA EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
In assessing the dressing skills of a 5 y.o. child, the COTA observes that the child is
able to put on a jacket, zip the zipper, and tie a knot in the draw string, but needs verbal
cueing to tie a bow. The COTA would MOST likely determine that the child's dressing
skills are:
A. age appropriate
B. delayed
C. advanced
D. limited - answer- A. The child being observed is performing dressing activity which is
age appropriate for a 5 y.o. child. A typical child at this age can dress unsupervised and
is able to tie and untie knots, but generally does not know how to tie a bow
independently.
In administering an assessment of finger-tip pinch strength, the OT practitioner would
instruct the individual being tested to place his or her fingers in which position?
A. thumb against the tip of the index finger
B. thumb against the side of the index finger
C. thumb against the tips of the index and middle fingers
D. thumb against the tips of all the fingers at once - answer- A. The correct position for
tip pinch is the thumb against the tip of the index finger. The thumb against the side of
the index finger (answer B) describes the position for lateral pinch. The thumb against
the tips of the index and middle fingers (answer C) describes the test position for three-
jaw chuck, or palmar pinch. The thumb against the tips of all the fingers (answer D) is
not a standard test position.
The OT tx approach that will MOST likely meet the overall needs experienced by
individuals with substance abuse problems is to:
A. assist with skill development in the areas of leisure, self-expression, and ADLs
B. educate the family members about making safety modifications to the kitchen area.
C. encourage Alcoholics Anonymous involvement, address personal appearance, and
issues of loss.
D. make aftercare arrangements for vocational counseling adn AA; provide time
management education for self-care activities - answer- A. In general, the areas of
focus with OT intervention for individuals identified with substance abuse problems are
alternative leisure time use, improved expression of feelings, and the acquiring of social
and occupational roles. The approach described in answer B addresses the cognitive
disability frame of reference approach. Answers C and D may address specific needs of
the pt, but not the overall needs of this population.
A COTA observes that a 10-month-old child is able to sit alone by propping himself
forward on his arms, but consistently loses his balance when reaching for a toy. This
behavior MOST likely indicates:
A. a developmental delay
B. unintegrated primitive reflexes
C. normal development
, D. advanced development - answer- A. typically developing children (answer C) should
be able to sit unsupported for several minutes by the age of 8-9 months; therefore, this
child demonstrates delayed developmen (answer A). The ability to sit while propped
forward on his arms indicates primitive reflexes have been integrated (answer B). Sitting
unsupported eariler than 8 months could indicate advanced development (answer D).
An individual demonstrates the ability to pick up a penny from a flat surface. This
represents which of the following prehension patterns?
A. lateral
B. palmar
C. tip
D. three-jaw chuck - answer- C. Tip prehension is accomplished by flexing the IP joint of
the thumb, and the PIP and DIP joints of the finger, and bringing the tips of the thumb
and finger together. This type of prehension is used to pick up objects such as a pin,
nail, or coin. Lateral prehension (answer A) is formed by positioning the pad of the
thumb against the radial side of the finger. This prehension pattern is used for holding a
pen, utensil, or key. Palmar prehension (answer B), also known as three-jaw chuck
(answer D), is formed by positioning the thumb in opposition to the tips of the index and
middle fingers, forming a pad-to-pad opposition. This form of prehension is commonly
used to lift objects from a flat surface and to tie a shoelace.
When conducting a structured interview, it is MOST important for the OT practitioner to:
A. rephrase the interview questions in his or her own words
B. ask questions that he or she thinks are pertinent to this pt
C. ask the questions as they are stated on the interview sheet
D. ask additional questions (other than those listed) to gain further insight into the pt -
answer- C. A structured interview requires following the procedure, order, and wording
of the questions to be asked. Answers A, B, and D are appropriate for semistructured
interviews (e.g. in pursuit of more details and information)
A 3 y.o. child demonstrates the ability to use the toilet independently except for wiping
and readjusting clothing afterward. This behavior indicates the child is performing at
which of the following levels:
A. significantly below age level
B. slightly below age level
C. at age level
D. above age level - answer- C. At 3 y.o., a child is expected to know when he or she
has to use the toilet and be able to get on and off the toilet. 3 y.o. children may need
assistance to cleanse themselves effectively and to manage fasteners or difficult
clothing. Complete independence in using the toilet (answer D) is usually achieved by
the age of 4 to 5 years. By the age of 2 years (answer B), most children have daytime
control over elimination, with occasional accidents, so they still need to be reminded to
go to the toilet. 1 y.o. infants (answer A) indicate discomfort when wet or soiled.
In assessing the dressing skills of a 5 y.o. child, the COTA observes that the child is
able to put on a jacket, zip the zipper, and tie a knot in the draw string, but needs verbal
cueing to tie a bow. The COTA would MOST likely determine that the child's dressing
skills are:
A. age appropriate
B. delayed
C. advanced
D. limited - answer- A. The child being observed is performing dressing activity which is
age appropriate for a 5 y.o. child. A typical child at this age can dress unsupervised and
is able to tie and untie knots, but generally does not know how to tie a bow
independently.
In administering an assessment of finger-tip pinch strength, the OT practitioner would
instruct the individual being tested to place his or her fingers in which position?
A. thumb against the tip of the index finger
B. thumb against the side of the index finger
C. thumb against the tips of the index and middle fingers
D. thumb against the tips of all the fingers at once - answer- A. The correct position for
tip pinch is the thumb against the tip of the index finger. The thumb against the side of
the index finger (answer B) describes the position for lateral pinch. The thumb against
the tips of the index and middle fingers (answer C) describes the test position for three-
jaw chuck, or palmar pinch. The thumb against the tips of all the fingers (answer D) is
not a standard test position.
The OT tx approach that will MOST likely meet the overall needs experienced by
individuals with substance abuse problems is to:
A. assist with skill development in the areas of leisure, self-expression, and ADLs
B. educate the family members about making safety modifications to the kitchen area.
C. encourage Alcoholics Anonymous involvement, address personal appearance, and
issues of loss.
D. make aftercare arrangements for vocational counseling adn AA; provide time
management education for self-care activities - answer- A. In general, the areas of
focus with OT intervention for individuals identified with substance abuse problems are
alternative leisure time use, improved expression of feelings, and the acquiring of social
and occupational roles. The approach described in answer B addresses the cognitive
disability frame of reference approach. Answers C and D may address specific needs of
the pt, but not the overall needs of this population.
A COTA observes that a 10-month-old child is able to sit alone by propping himself
forward on his arms, but consistently loses his balance when reaching for a toy. This
behavior MOST likely indicates:
A. a developmental delay
B. unintegrated primitive reflexes
C. normal development
, D. advanced development - answer- A. typically developing children (answer C) should
be able to sit unsupported for several minutes by the age of 8-9 months; therefore, this
child demonstrates delayed developmen (answer A). The ability to sit while propped
forward on his arms indicates primitive reflexes have been integrated (answer B). Sitting
unsupported eariler than 8 months could indicate advanced development (answer D).
An individual demonstrates the ability to pick up a penny from a flat surface. This
represents which of the following prehension patterns?
A. lateral
B. palmar
C. tip
D. three-jaw chuck - answer- C. Tip prehension is accomplished by flexing the IP joint of
the thumb, and the PIP and DIP joints of the finger, and bringing the tips of the thumb
and finger together. This type of prehension is used to pick up objects such as a pin,
nail, or coin. Lateral prehension (answer A) is formed by positioning the pad of the
thumb against the radial side of the finger. This prehension pattern is used for holding a
pen, utensil, or key. Palmar prehension (answer B), also known as three-jaw chuck
(answer D), is formed by positioning the thumb in opposition to the tips of the index and
middle fingers, forming a pad-to-pad opposition. This form of prehension is commonly
used to lift objects from a flat surface and to tie a shoelace.
When conducting a structured interview, it is MOST important for the OT practitioner to:
A. rephrase the interview questions in his or her own words
B. ask questions that he or she thinks are pertinent to this pt
C. ask the questions as they are stated on the interview sheet
D. ask additional questions (other than those listed) to gain further insight into the pt -
answer- C. A structured interview requires following the procedure, order, and wording
of the questions to be asked. Answers A, B, and D are appropriate for semistructured
interviews (e.g. in pursuit of more details and information)
A 3 y.o. child demonstrates the ability to use the toilet independently except for wiping
and readjusting clothing afterward. This behavior indicates the child is performing at
which of the following levels:
A. significantly below age level
B. slightly below age level
C. at age level
D. above age level - answer- C. At 3 y.o., a child is expected to know when he or she
has to use the toilet and be able to get on and off the toilet. 3 y.o. children may need
assistance to cleanse themselves effectively and to manage fasteners or difficult
clothing. Complete independence in using the toilet (answer D) is usually achieved by
the age of 4 to 5 years. By the age of 2 years (answer B), most children have daytime
control over elimination, with occasional accidents, so they still need to be reminded to
go to the toilet. 1 y.o. infants (answer A) indicate discomfort when wet or soiled.
