Ch 9- Documenting Outcomes

Which example represents qualitative data?

• Child sits at desk for 5 minutes each morning.

• Child completes 5 simple math problems in 10 minutes.

• Child states he feels sad at school every day.

• Child can count to 100 upon request.

Answer explanation

Qualitative data includes a child’s feeling about his performance.  Qualitative data provides information on the person’s subjective experience, attitudes, and feelings.

This is likely found within the 'S' section of a SOAP note.

The occupational therapist completes a standardized assessment and scores the child and the next day, she scores the child and gets a lower score although she does not think the child or situation changed.  What does this suggest?

• Poor therapeutic reasoning

• Low validity

• Low reliability

• High validity

• High reliability

Answer explanation

Reliability means that the method of measuring is consistent.  If all factors remain the same, the test should result in similar scores from the day before (unless child learned test or had another intervening circumstance).  In this case example, if all things stayed the same and lower scores were obtained, the test has low reliability.

Which example best operationalizes student behavior when lining up at the door?

• Line up at the door every day before lunch and recess.

• Copy Jimmy’s behaviors and stand up straight.

• Follow the classroom rules daily and listen to the teacher.

• Put away what you are doing and stand behind the last child in line.

Answer explanation

Operationalizing behaviors requires a clear and concise description of what will be observed.  Item b provides a clear description of what the observer hopes to see when the students have to line up at the door.  The other statements do not describe the behaviors and would be difficult to judge if the child met the expectations.

What is the baseline median data for a child whose raw scores on a fine motor task include:  25, 17, 23?

• 23

• 25

• 17

• 21.6

Answer explanation

The baseline median data is 23.  The raw scores are 17, 23, 25.  23 is the median, or middle number.

The average, or mean, would be 21.6.

There is no mode.

The range is 8.

Which statement indicates how to interpret data from an ascending goal line?

• If four consecutive data points fall above the goal line, the child’s progress is better than expected.

• If four consecutive data points are above and below the goal line, discontinue OT intervention because performance is low.

• Use the median data point for baseline and post intervention to determine progress.

• Average the scores from baseline to post-intervention to determine progress.

Answer explanation

Use the following criteria to interpret ascending goal lines:

-If four consecutive data points fall above goal line, this indicates the child’s progress is better than expects rate and the goal will be reached.

 

-If four consecutive data points fall below the goal line, the child is not progressing at a rate needed to meet the goal and the intervention may need to be changed.

-If four consecutive points are above and below the goal line, continue with current intervention because performance is beginning to rise.