Pass the NBCOT Exam (Occupational Therapy)

NBCOT Exam Study Guide

2008-02-11T21:59:00.001-08:00

A very good resource is available for the NBCOT Exam. At http://www.nbcotexam.com/ they have a new Study Guide. It has over 1000 Things you should know for the NBCOT exam, plus it comes with 300 Practice Questions. It's alot cheaper than any other guide I've found so far too, so that is a Huge Plus!

NBCOT EXAM QUESTION: Deformity

2008-02-08T10:37:00.000-08:00

While assessing a client, the OT notices the following:
PIP joint is hyperextended & DIP is flexed
What best describes the condition?

a. Swan Neck Deformity

b. Subluxation Deformity

c. Boutonnere Deformity

d. Mallet Deformity

Correct Answer: A

NBCOT EXAM Question: Service Management

2008-01-12T12:06:00.000-08:00

An OT is establishing a department in country long-term care hospice. When developing the policy and procedures for the documentation in the hospice, which document would me MOST useful?

Scroll down for answer:

Uniform Terminology for Occupational Therapy
This document defines OT in relationship to performance areas and components. It also provides "common language" for Occupational therapists to describe individuals and their abilities.

NBCOT EXAM QUESTIONS

2008-01-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

More questions are coming and I will be working on a PDF file that will have a bunch of questions plus some info on the test. Please be patient! If you are taking the NBCOT Test soon, GOOD LUCK!

Occupation Therapist Jobs

2008-01-11T05:59:00.001-08:00

Once you pass the NBCOT you will be looking for that right job. Here is a free OT job listing for you to check out:

http://ot-jobs.blogspot.com

NBCOT Question: MET Levels

2006-10-29T13:31:00.000-08:00

A client with a history of cardiac disease had a MI 6 weeks ago. He can currently work 2 miles a day with no ill effect. He mentioned to his OT his fear of sexual activity and fears death or injury to the heart during sexual activity. Can you reassure your client that his stamina is adequate in terms of MET levels for sexual expression?

No, refer to primary physician
No, a brisk walk or climbing is not adequate enough in terms of MET levels for sexual activity
Yes, sexual activity is relaxing
Yes, a brisk walk or climbing is equivalent to MET levels of sexual activity.

NBCOT Question : Wrist nerves

2006-10-29T13:29:00.000-08:00

OT can assess peripheral nerve function with screening tests. Radial nerve test would be:

wrist extension
gross grasp with dynomometer
pincer wit index & thumb
thumb opposition

wrist extension

NBCOT Question: Left handed Infant

2006-10-29T13:26:00.000-08:00

A 4 month old infant shows strong prefence for his right hand when reaching at the midline. What should the OT conclude given the development of dominance in normal children?

Hand dominance is not developed until 1 year
Unilateraly precedes bilaterality in typical development
Hand dominance is developing appropriately
Further observation is needed due to possible right hand dysfunction

Further observation is needed

NBCOT EXAM QUESTION: Spinal Injury

2006-10-29T13:25:00.000-08:00

Which individual benefit from a wrist driven flexor hinge splint during a prehension task?

c2 injury
c4 injury
c6 injury
t1 injury

c6 injury

NBCOT EXAM QUESTION: Laughing & Crying

2006-10-15T16:38:00.000-07:00

A client exhibits alternatively laughing & crying through treatment. What is this?

Emtional lability
Mania
Paranoia
Schizophrenia

Emotional Lability

NBCOT EXAM QUESTION: OT Referral

2006-10-15T16:37:00.000-07:00

A Dr referral for Occupational Therapist is required by:

AOTA, Feds, State
3rd party, Insurance, State & Feds
Feds, State, Insurance, Private, AOTA
Feds, State & 3rd Party

Feds, State & 3rd Party

NBCOT EXAM QUESTION: Infant Smiling

2006-10-15T16:36:00.000-07:00

Social smiling in infancy can be elicited the mother when?

1 to 2 weeks
2 to 4 weeks
4 to 8 weeks
8 to 10 weeks

4 - 8 weeks

NBCOT EXAM QUESTION: Schizophrenia

2006-10-15T16:34:00.000-07:00

An adult with schizophrenia can be diagnosed from all the following symptoms EXCEPT:

Hallucinations
Substance Abuse
Social dysfunction
Delusions

Substance Abuse

NBCOT EXAM QUESTION: Good Listening

2006-10-15T16:33:00.000-07:00

All of the following demonstrate good listening EXCEPT:

Make good eye contact
Open Body
Lean slightly backwards
Face client squarely

Lean slightly backwards

NBCOT EXAM QUESTION: Scapulohumeral Rhythm

2006-10-01T16:10:00.000-07:00

What is the scapulohumeral rhythm?

1:2 scapula:humerus

2:1 scapula:humerus

1:3 scapula:humerus

3:1 scapula:humerus

SCROLL DOWN

2:1 scapula:humerus - Scapula must move 1 degree for every 2 degrees of humeral movement. Damage will occurs without 2:1 due to insufficient space for movement.

Written Communication

2006-10-01T16:07:00.000-07:00

To improve written communication, the OT would recommend a large keyboard setup (to enhance current accessibility) to a client with:

Limited UE ROM but adequate fine motor coordination

Frequent fatiguing related to energy exerted when typing

One hand access to keyboard

Good UE ROM but difficulty accessing small targets

SCROLL DOWN

Good UE ROM, but difficulty accessing small targets - large keyboard will accomidate for the inability to read small targets

Pyschosocial Job Hunting

2006-10-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

The OT is planning use remedial strategies to prepare clients treated in a psychosocial setting for job hunting. What's the best approach?

Reviewing an personal interest checklist

Holding a class about job seeking strategies

Modifiying current job for stressors

Creating a painting to express current feelings and thoughts of jobs

SCROLL DOWN

Hold a class about job strategies - building on underlying skills

OBRA Regs

2006-10-01T16:01:00.000-07:00

What do the initials MORE stand for in OBRA regulations?

Measurable, Observable, Reportable, Exit Behavior

Measurable, Observable, Recognizable, Effective

Measurable, Observable, Realistic, Explicit

Measurable, Observable, Realistic, Emotional

SCROLL DOWN....

Measurable, Observable, Realistic, Explicit

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

2006-09-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

I start with this diagnosis for this reason: I had 5 questions on my exam on this diagnosis! Focusing intensly on CVAs & SCIs, I didn't dive into the Guillain Barre pool very deeply. I might suggest you give it a look over again...

This information is from: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/gbs/gbs.htm

What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome?Guillain-Barré (ghee-yan bah-ray) syndrome is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The first symptoms of this disorder include varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs. In many instances, the weakness and abnormal sensations spread to the arms and upper body. These symptoms can increase in intensity until the muscles cannot be used at all and the patient is almost totally paralyzed. In these cases, the disorder is life-threatening and is considered a medical emergency. The patient is often put on a respirator to assist with breathing. Most patients, however, recover from even the most severe cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, although some continue to have some degree of weakness. Guillain-Barré syndrome is rare. Usually Guillain-Barré occurs a few days or weeks after the patient has had symptoms of a respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infection. Occasionally, surgery or vaccinations will trigger the syndrome. The disorder can develop over the course of hours or days, or it may take up to 3 to 4 weeks. No one yet knows why Guillain-Barré strikes some people and not others or what sets the disease in motion. What scientists do know is that the body's immune system begins to attack the body itself, causing what is known as an autoimmune disease. Guillain-Barré is called a syndrome rather than a disease because it is not clear that a specific disease-causing agent is involved. Reflexes such as knee jerks are usually lost. Because the signals traveling along the nerve are slower, a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test can give a doctor clues to aid the diagnosis. The cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the spinal cord and brain contains more protein than usual, so a physician may decide to perform a spinal tap.

Is there any treatment?
There is no known cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome, but therapies can lessen the severity of the illness and accelerate the recovery in most patients. There are also a number of ways to treat the complications of the disease. Currently, plasmapheresis and high-dose immunoglobulin therapy are used. Plasmapheresis seems to reduce the severity and duration of the Guillain-Barré episode. In high-dose immunoglobulin therapy, doctors give intravenous injections of the proteins that in small quantities, the immune system uses naturally to attack invading organism. Investigators have found that giving high doses of these immunoglobulins, derived from a pool of thousands of normal donors, to Guillain-Barré patients can lessen the immune attack on the nervous system. The most critical part of the treatment for this syndrome consists of keeping the patient's body functioning during recovery of the nervous system. This can sometimes require placing the patient on a respirator, a heart monitor, or other machines that assist body function.

What is the prognosis?
Guillain-Barré syndrome can be a devastating disorder because of its sudden and unexpected onset. Most people reach the stage of greatest weakness within the first 2 weeks after symptoms appear, and by the third week of the illness 90 percent of all patients are at their weakest. The recovery period may be as little as a few weeks or as long as a few years. About 30 percent of those with Guillain-Barré still have a residual weakness after 3 years. About 3 percent may suffer a relapse of muscle weakness and tingling sensations many years after the initial attack.

** working on questions...***

Question Schedule

2006-09-16T19:05:00.000-07:00

I intend on posting onto this blog one or two questions twice a week...
As a practicing OT, things can get busy... :)

Introduction

2006-09-16T12:54:00.000-07:00

As an OT who suffered through the process of studying & passing the NBCOT, I created this blog to help newbies (and those who need to give it another go) access questions that may appear on the NBCOT. These questions examples of the types of questions the test will ask but are not directly from the test itself. Use these questions to jog your memory on items you may have forgotten to review and study.

Study hard!