NBCOT COTA flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Goniometry

Measurement of joint range of motion in degrees using a goniometer, with the axis placed over the joint and the stationary and moving arms aligned to the proximal and distal segments.

Manual muscle test grade 3

The client moves the body part through the full available range against gravity but tolerates no added resistance; grades run from 0 (no contraction) to 5 (normal).

Modified Ashworth Scale

A 0-to-4 ordinal scale grading the resistance felt during passive movement to quantify spasticity; 0 indicates no increase in tone and 4 indicates rigidity.

Stereognosis

The ability to identify a familiar object by touch alone with vision occluded, tested with common items such as a coin, key, or paper clip.

Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills

A 17-item performance-based screening of basic living skills covering self-care, safety, money management, transportation, and work or leisure, scored as independent or needs assistance.

Screening versus evaluation

Screening is a brief check of whether further assessment is warranted, while evaluation is a comprehensive ongoing process that yields the occupational profile and intervention plan.

COTA role in evaluation

The COTA collects data through interview, observation, and administration of assessments under OT supervision, then reports findings; the OTR interprets results and writes the plan of care.

Allen Cognitive Level test

A leather-lacing screening that estimates cognitive level on a 1-to-6 scale from the complexity of stitching the person can complete after a demonstration.

DeLorme progressive resistive exercise

A strengthening protocol of 10 repetitions at 50%, 75%, and 100% of the 10-repetition maximum; the Oxford variation reverses the order from heaviest to lightest.

Hip precautions after total hip

Posterior-approach restrictions: no hip flexion beyond 90 degrees, no crossing legs, no adduction past midline, no internal rotation, plus a raised toilet seat and abductor pillow.

Joint protection principles

Arthritis-saving habits: spread loads across joints and hands, use the largest joint available, avoid sustained tight grips, respect pain, and build up handles on tools.

Constraint-induced movement therapy

A stroke intervention restraining the less affected upper limb while the affected limb receives intensive shaped task practice; candidates usually show some active wrist and finger extension.

Mosey parallel group

The first level of Mosey's group sequence, in which members work on independent tasks side by side with minimal interaction while the leader provides structure and support.

Errorless learning

A teaching method for people with memory impairment in which the therapist prevents and immediately corrects errors so the correct response is practiced and reinforced from the start.

Brunnstrom stages of recovery

Seven stages of motor recovery after stroke, from flaccidity at stage 1 through synergy-dominated movement at 2-3, out-of-synergy movement at 4-5, to near normal at 6-7.

Pressure injury repositioning schedule

Turn and reposition at least every 2 hours in bed and every 15 minutes in a wheelchair, using a 30-degree lateral tilt to offload pressure points.

Cognitive orientation to daily performance

CO-OP is a client-centered metacognitive approach in which the person sets a goal and applies the global strategy of goal, plan, do, check to solve performance problems.

Discharge planning begins at evaluation

Transition needs, equipment, caregiver support, and environmental barriers are identified during the initial evaluation and updated throughout intervention rather than left to the final session.

Plateau in therapy

A period in which the client shows no measurable progress toward goals despite ongoing intervention; it is documented and discussed with the OTR as a possible discontinuation criterion.

Discontinuation of OT services

Ending skilled occupational therapy when goals are met, progress plateaus, the client declines services, or setting limits are reached; the OTR completes the final summary.

Home exercise program

A written individualized set of exercises with frequency, dosage, and precautions, taught by demonstration and confirmed with teach-back, then updated as the client progresses.

Durable medical equipment

Reusable equipment ordered for medical use at home, such as a walker, shower chair, or hospital bed; justification, fitting, and funding source must be documented.

Caregiver training

Education and supervised practice given to family or paid caregivers so they can safely assist with transfers, ADLs, and equipment after the client leaves the setting.

Area Agency on Aging

A community resource coordinating services for older adults, including meals, transportation, in-home support, and caregiver programs, accessed through the national Eldercare Locator.

Medicare supervision of COTA

Medicare and most state practice acts require the supervising OTR to oversee COTA services; the level of close, direct, or general supervision depends on state law and setting.

AOTA Code of Ethics principles

Seven core principles guide occupational therapy practice: beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, justice, veracity, fidelity, and procedural justice.

Informed consent

The client's voluntary agreement to evaluation or treatment after receiving understandable information about purpose, risks, benefits, alternatives, and the right to refuse.

NBCOT certification renewal

NBCOT certification is renewed every three years by earning 36 professional development units, where one PDU equals one contact hour of approved learning.

IDEA

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act guarantees a free appropriate public education to eligible students and lists occupational therapy as a related service delivered under an IEP.

Incident report

A factual objective record of an unexpected event such as a fall, filed with the facility while the supervisor is notified and the medical record documents only clinical findings.

HIPAA

Federal law protecting the privacy and security of protected health information; disclosure requires patient authorization or a permitted exception such as treatment, payment, or operations.

Mandatory reporting

The legal duty of health professionals to report suspected child or vulnerable adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the designated state agency regardless of confidentiality concerns.