Deck 2: The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework and the Practice of Occupational Therapy for People With Physical Disabilities

Question 1

An occupational therapist is working with a 21-year-old client who has suffered a mild traumatic brain injury as a result of a car accident when he was 6.The client is now exhibiting signs of depression and social anxiety.The OT practitioner has identified therapeutic use of self as the most appropriate intervention method at this time.The OT practitioner should do which of the following?

A) Use active listening when the client talks about himself and his injury.
B) Arrange for the client to go to a baseball game, where he can relax and enjoy his favorite team.
C) Simulate meeting new people in the OT clinic so the client feels more at ease in social situations.
D) Provide the client with a list of resources for treatment of depression and social anxiety disorder.

Answer 1

A
The most important part of this question is the phrase "therapeutic use of self." The only answer that fits this category is (A),using active listening,because it exhibits the OT practitioner's empathy and will foster an atmosphere of trust between the client and the therapist.Once trust has been established,the OT practitioner may want to provide the client with resources for treating his depression and social anxiety disorder (D).However,because this is an educational intervention,it is not the correct answer.Similarly,(B)and (C)are incorrect insofar as they are an occupation-based activity and a purposeful
activity,respectively.

Question 2

An occupational therapy (OT)practitioner is working with a 15-year-old client with a spinal cord injury.After discussing a list of activities of daily living,the client indicated a goal of keeping her thick,curly hair looking attractive.What should the occupational therapist do first?

A) Identify a caregiver who will brush and style the client's hair every day.
B) Observe whether the client has difficulties manipulating the comb in her hand and through her hair.
C) Locate hair-care products that will make thick and curly hair more manageable.
D) Teach the client how to use the various assistive devices she will need to brush her hair.

Answer 2

B
The first thing the OT practitioner should do is (B)to observe whether the client has difficulty brushing her hair,and if so,to identify what those difficulties are.Only then can the occupational therapist (D)determine if any assistive devices are needed and educate the client on their use.While the client identified having nice-looking hair as an important goal,the occupational therapist identifies this as an activity of daily living (ADL)and must turn it into an occupation-based activity.Thus (A),identifying a caregiver to brush and style her hair,would detract from this process.Option (C),locating hair-care products to make the task of brushing hair easier,would be helpful,but this should not be the therapist's first course of action.

Question 3

Both Client A and Client B suffered mild strokes.Client A has been an accountant at the same company for the past 25 years and hopes to retire there.Client B is a homemaker who diligently clips coupons,shops sales,and keeps track of spending every day,finding it a fun challenge.Which statement is correct?

A) Financial management is an activity for Client A and an occupation for Client B.
B) Financial management is an activity for both Clients A and B.
C) Financial management is an occupation for Client A and an activity for Client B.
D) Financial management is an occupation for both Clients A and B.

Answer 3

D
The correct answer is (D): Financial management is an occupation for both clients.Answer (C)is tempting but incorrect because the term occupation in an OT setting refers to more than the client's employment.Because financial management is of central importance to both clients,it becomes more than just an activity.For both clients financial management is an activity in which they engage,one that adds meaning to their lives and contributes to their identities,and one in which they look forward to engaging.Thus
financial management is an occupation for both clients.

Question 4

The OT practitioner observed a client playing a game of cards.During the game the client looped one elbow around the upright of her wheelchair,leaned toward the table,and grasped a card before going across the room to answer a phone call.The actions observed are primarily an example of which of the following?

A) Process skills
B) Performance patterns
C) Communication/interaction skills
D) Motor skills

Question 5

An OT practitioner is working with a client with carpal tunnel syndrome.Which of the following is not a preparatory method that the OT can use with the client?

A) Cock-up splinting to hold the wrist in neutral to 10 degrees of extension
B) Tendon-gliding exercises for the long finger flexors
C) Ergonomic modification of the client's workspace
D) Ultrasound phonophoresis and iontophoresis to reduce inflammation