NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Quiz: Information Acquisition

You are a COTA working under OTR supervision in a high school. Client: 16-year-old with autism; teacher says, "He shuts down when plans change," and "he avoids the cafeteria." Psych eval recommends predictable routines and coping strategies. Contextual factors: fire drills and schedule changes occur weekly. What additional information would be necessary to complete the client's occupational profile?

You are a COTA working under OTR supervision in outpatient neuro. Client: 45-year-old with TBI; referral states return-to-work difficulty. Records include MoCA 23/30 and reduced sleep. Client interview: "I used to manage three projects at once," and "now I need one thing at a time." Contextual factors: client's job requires frequent task switching. What additional information would be necessary to complete the client's occupational profile?

You are a COTA under OTR supervision in outpatient neuro. Client: 45-year-old with TBI; referral emphasizes return-to-work difficulty. Record review: MoCA indicates attention and delayed recall issues; sleep reduced; headaches triggered by screens. Client says, "I'm fine to drive," but spouse report (phone) says he "misses turns and gets irritable." Contextual factors: client wants to return full-time next week. Based on the provided case study, which data point is most critical for developing an intervention plan?

You are a COTA working under OTR supervision in a skilled nursing facility. Client: 80-year-old post-stroke; records show max help for transfers and wheelchair use. Spouse says, "Our tub is hard to step into," and "I can't lift him." Contextual factors: home bathroom is narrow and entry has two steps. Which statement best summarizes the client's primary occupational need?

You are a COTA under OTR supervision in an elementary school. Client: 7-year-old with developmental delay; prior OT eval is 9 months old. Current IEP includes writing legibility goal and teacher reports increased off-task behavior this semester. Parent states, "He's more frustrated lately." Contextual factors: child recently changed classrooms. In the context of the client's condition, what role does the referral/IEP information play?

A COTA is assisting with an initial interview of an older adult client in an outpatient setting who was referred to OT after a fall at home. The OTR asks the COTA to gather information about client factors that may have contributed to the fall.

Which question would be MOST effective for the COTA to ask?

You are a COTA working under OTR supervision in a high school. Client: 16-year-old with autism; school record shows attendance 85% and missing assignments. Teacher states, "He refuses presentations," and psych eval notes elevated anxiety. Contextual factors: upcoming graduation requirements include a public speaking project. How does the data from the school records and evaluation influence the intervention strategies?

You are a COTA working under OTR supervision in an elementary school. Client: 7-year-old with developmental delay; previous OT eval shows difficulty with grasp and cutting. IEP includes writing legibility goal and visual schedule. Parent interview: "He melts down when rushed," and "he can't open snack packages." Contextual factors: child receives OT 20 minutes/week in a shared therapy room. Based on the provided case study, which data point is most critical for developing an intervention plan?

You are a COTA under OTR supervision in acute rehab. Client: 80-year-old post-stroke; discharge summary lists "soft diet" and "left arm weakness." Referral requests OT for ADL safety. Spouse says, "He coughs when drinking thin liquids," and "he's losing weight." Contextual factors: spouse prepares meals and is worried about choking. What additional information would be necessary to complete the client's occupational profile?

You are a COTA under OTR supervision in a high school. Client: 16-year-old with autism; psych eval recommends predictable routines; teacher reports shutdown during group work. Student interview: "People talk over me and I can't think," and "I don't know what to say in groups." Contextual factors: no dedicated quiet room, only library passes. What additional information would be necessary to complete the client's occupational profile?

You are a COTA under OTR supervision in an elementary school. Client: 7-year-old with developmental delay; prior OT eval is 9 months old and shows fine motor at 8th percentile. Current teacher says, "He can now cut simple shapes," but writing remains illegible. Parent says, "He practices letters nightly." Contextual factors: new classroom expectations increased writing demands. Which data point is most critical for developing an intervention plan?

You are a COTA under OTR supervision in a high school setting. Client: 16-year-old with autism; history includes anxiety and sensory sensitivity to noise. School records: grades dropping in group projects; attendance 85%. Recent psychological evaluation: average nonverbal reasoning, reduced social communication skills, and elevated anxiety score; recommends predictable routines. Teacher interview summary: "He shuts down in unstructured group work," and "he does best with written directions." Contextual factors: crowded hallways and limited quiet spaces. Which statement best summarizes the client's primary occupational need?

You are a COTA under OTR supervision in a high school. Client: 16-year-old with autism; school record shows grades dropping mainly in classes with group projects. Teacher says, "Written directions help," and psych eval recommends predictable routines. Contextual factors: multiple teachers use different online platforms. Based on the provided case study, which data point is most critical for developing an intervention plan?

You are a COTA working under OTR supervision in a skilled nursing facility. Client: 80-year-old post-stroke; chart notes "impulsive" and "tries to stand without calling." Referral requests ADL and mobility training. Contextual factors: room is cluttered with personal items and wheelchair brakes are sometimes unlocked. Based on the provided case study, which data point is most critical for developing an intervention plan?

You are a COTA working under OTR supervision in acute rehab. Client: 80-year-old post-stroke; discharge summary lists "impulsive with transfers" and "requires bed alarm." Referral: "train in safe mobility and ADLs." Spouse interview: "He insists he can do it alone," and "he fell once before the stroke." Contextual factors: spouse is primary caregiver and home has two steps at entry. In the context of the client's condition, what role does the referral information play?

You are a COTA working under OTR supervision in a public elementary school. Client: 7-year-old with developmental delay; history includes premature birth at 32 weeks and frequent ear infections. Records: prior OT eval (9 months ago) shows fine motor quotient at 8th percentile and difficulty with scissor skills; speech eval notes reduced expressive language. Current IEP data: goal to "write 10/12 legible letters in 3 minutes," accommodations include "preferential seating" and "visual schedule," and teacher reports off-task behavior during seatwork. Parent interview: "Homework takes forever," and "he avoids buttons and zippers." Contextual factors: large class size and limited OT pull-out time. How does the data from the IEP influence the intervention strategies?

You are a COTA working under OTR supervision in a skilled nursing facility. Client: 80-year-old post-stroke; spouse says, "I can't lift him," and home has two entry steps. Discharge summary: max help transfers; wheelchair use. Contextual factors: spouse is available only evenings due to work. Which data point is most critical for developing an intervention plan?

You are a COTA working under OTR supervision in a skilled nursing facility. Client: 80-year-old post-stroke; referral emphasizes ADL safety and mobility. Spouse interview: "Our bathroom is tiny with a tub," and "I can't lift due to back pain." Contextual factors: limited funds for renovations. How does the interview data influence the intervention strategies?

You are a COTA under OTR supervision in outpatient neuro. Client: 45-year-old with TBI; record review shows sleep 4–5 hours and headaches. Client reports, "I drink energy drinks to get through the day," and "I forget to eat lunch." Contextual factors: client drives 45 minutes to clinic and skips breaks at work. What is the significance of the interview responses in understanding the client's daily challenges?

You are a COTA under OTR supervision in a skilled nursing facility. Client: 80-year-old with left-sided stroke 10 days ago; history includes atrial fibrillation and prior fall last year. Hospital discharge summary: needs "moderate help" for dressing, "max help" for transfers; diet is soft foods; right-side strength 4/5, left-side 2/5; uses wheelchair. Referral note: "evaluate ADL safety and mobility." Spouse interview: "He tries to stand without calling," and "our bathroom is tiny with a tub." Contextual factors: spouse has back pain and cannot lift. What additional information would be necessary to complete the client's occupational profile?