Chapter 14 Learners with Physical Disabilities and Other Health
Impairments
14.1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1) The primary distinguishing characteristic of children with physical disability is
A) intellectual and health problems.
B) intellectual and medical problems.
C) medical or health problems.
D) medical or cognitive problems.
Praxis: I.B.
CEC: CC1K5
2) Impairments that a child is born with are referred to as
A) primary characteristics.
B) congenital anomalies.
C) secondary problems.
D) acquired disabilities.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC1K5
3) A condition that may be severe but resolves with treatment is
A) progressive.
B) episodic.
C) chronic.
D) acute.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC1K5
4) A condition that is incurable is
A) progressive.
B) episodic.
C) chronic.
D) acute.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
5) A condition that recurs at successive times but does not necessarily become more
severe overtime is
A) progressive.
B) episodic.
C) chronic.
D) acute.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
6) A condition that becomes more and more severe over time is
A) progressive.
B) episodic.
C) chronic.
D) acute.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
7) Which statement is true?
A) The number of people with physical disabilities is declining and the
availability of service programs is improving.
B) The number of people with physical disabilities is growing along with the
availability of service programs.
C) The number of people with physical disabilities is growing but the availability
of service programs is not.
D) The number of people with physical disabilities is declining so the availability
of service programs is decreasing.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC1K5
8) What effect have advances in medicine had on the need for special education due to
physical disabilities?
A) almost eliminated the need for special education for the majority of students
with physical disabilities
B) increased the need for special education for students with severe disabilities
C) made it more difficult to identify students with physical disabilities
D) the number of students needing services has been unaffected by medical
advances
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC1K5
9) Impairments that are the result of injury to the brain that also affect the ability to move
parts of one’s body are
A) neurological impairments.
B) traumatic brain injuries.
C) orthopedic impairments.
D) neuromotor impairments.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
10) When a child’s nervous system is damaged, no matter what the cause, which of the
following is often one of the symptoms?
A) muscular weakness or paralysis
B) cognitive deficits
C) seizures
D) missing or malformed limbs
Praxis: I.B.
CEC: CC2K1
11) Cerebral palsy is
A) a neurological disease.
B) subject to frequent remission.
C) sometimes contagious.
D) a nonprogressive disorder.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
12) Cerebral palsy is a condition that occurs
A) during the birth process.
B) before birth.
C) after birth.
D) before brain maturity.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
13) Cerebral palsy is classified by
A) the limbs involved and type of motor disability.
B) time period during which brain damage occurred.
C) severity of the symptoms.
D) the effect on intellectual functioning.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
14) Andre’s legs are paralyzed, but he has full use of his arms. His condition is
A) diplegia.
B) hemiplegia.
C) paraplegia.
D) quadriplegia.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
15) Stiffness or tenseness of muscles and inaccurate voluntary movements is known as
A) choreoathetosis.
B) atonicity.
C) spasticity.
D) reflexivity.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
16) Abrupt, involuntary movements and difficulty in maintaining balance is known as
A) spastic movements.
B) atonic movements.
C) choreoathetoid movements.
D) atonic spasticity.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
17) The intelligence of children with cerebral palsy is
A) almost always in the range of mental retardation.
B) clearly higher than the average for the general population.
C) nearly the same as for the general population.
D) difficult to assess due to difficulties in perception, movement, or response
speed.
Praxis: I.B.
CEC: CC2K6
18) When there is an abnormal discharge of electrical energy in certain brain cells, the
result is
A) diplegia.
B) choreoathetoid movements.
C) spasticity.
D) seizures.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
19) All of the following are common causes of seizures EXCEPT
A) lack of oxygen.
B) high blood sugar.
C) infections.
D) physical trauma.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
20) Seizures may differ on all of the following dimensions EXCEPT
A) duration.
B) latency.
C) frequency.
D) causes.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
21) All of the following procedures should be followed if a student has a seizure in
school EXCEPT
A) turning child’s face to the side.
B) inserting an object between the teeth.
C) loosening clothing.
D) putting something flat and soft under the head.
Praxis: III.B.
CEC: CC9S4
22) Harris has a congenital midline defect resulting from failure of the bony spinal
column to close completely during fetal development. His condition is known as
A) cleft lip.
B) spinal meningitis.
C) spina bifida.
D) cleft palate.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC1K5
23) Any malformation of the spine, spinal cord, or brain is a
A) choreoathetoid defect.
B) neural tube defect.
C) type of spina bifida.
D) brainstem defect.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
24) The extent of the paralysis in spina bifida depends on
A) the stage of development during which it occurs.
B) the success or failure of the surgery to close the opening.
C) the success or failure of the surgery to repair the nerve damage.
D) the location of the spinal cord defect.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
25) Catheterization is necessary for individuals with
A) lack of bladder control.
B) poor blood circulation.
C) poor oxygen exchange.
D) lack of mucus and salivation control.
Praxis: I.B.
CEC: CC3K1
26) Tim has a hereditary disease characterized by progressive weakness and
degeneration of muscle fibers. His condition is
A) muscular dystrophy.
B) spina bifida.
C) cerebral palsy.
D) multiple sclerosis.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
27) Rheumatoid arthritis is a potentially debilitating disease that
A) causes rapid deterioration of muscle tissue.
B) is characterized by pain in and around the joints and muscles.
C) is associated with neurological degeneration.
D) occurs only in the elderly.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC3K1
28) The intelligence of students with conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system is
A) lower than average.
B) unaffected.
C) higher than average.
D) indeterminate.
Praxis: I.B.
CEC: CC3K1
29) Chronic diseases and health conditions of children have
A) decreased dramatically in recent decades due to improved drug therapies.
B) passed childhood accidents as a cause of death.
C) remained constant in recent decades.
D) increased dramatically during recent decades.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC1K5
30) A lung disease characterized by episodic inflammation or obstruction of the air
passages such that the person has difficulty breathing is
A) allergies.
B) bronchitis.
C) asthma.
D) inhalation.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K4
31) In addition to its effect on the immune system, AIDS poses all of the following
threats to children EXCEPT
A) intellectual disability.
B) emotional or behavioral disorders.
C) seizures.
D) muscular dystrophy.
Praxis: I.B.
CEC: CC3K1
32) What causes more deaths in children than all childhood diseases combined?
A) AIDS
B) accidents
C) suicide
D) abuse
Praxis: III.B.
CEC: CC9K4
33) Each of the following statements about preventing physical disabilities is true
EXCEPT
A) Many or most physical disabilities are preventable.
B) Reducing the number of teen pregnancies would reduce the number of
physical disabilities.
C) Reducing the number of childhood vaccinations has reduced the number of
cases of autism.
D) Children with disabilities are at a greater risk for abuse than are those without
disabilities.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K3
34) Which statement about phenylketonuria (PKU) is true?
A) It only causes intellectual disabilities.
B) It is the only known genetically determined metabolic disorder.
C) It requires a life-long special diet for treatment.
D) It goes away in late childhood.
Praxis: I.B.
CEC: CC2K1
35) For children with most physical disabilities and other health impairments, a common
cause of academic difficulties is
A) discrimination and prejudice.
B) erratic school attendance.
C) poor study skills.
D) inadequate motivation.
Praxis: I.B.
CEC: CC2K2
36) Children’s reactions to their own physical disabilities are largely
A) a reflection of how others respond to them.
B) dependent on the nature and degree of their disabilities.
C) dependent on whether they use a wheelchair for mobility.
D) a reflection of how well they achieve academically.
Praxis: II.B.
CEC: CC2K3
37) Jim has an artificial leg. This is an example of a/an
A) orthosis.
B) prosthesis.
C) adaptive device.
D) assistive device.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC1K5
38) Gareth uses braces on his legs to help provide support when he walks. This is an
example of a/an
A) prosthesis.
B) assistive device.
C) orthosis.
D) adaptive device.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC1K5
39) Which principles are most important to keep in mind when considering prosthetics
and orthotics?
A) residual function, simplicity, reliability
B) age of person, length of limb, intelligence of person
C) residual function, length of limb, cost of device
D) residual function, simplicity, health of person
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC7K1
40) The greatest problem with using technology for people with physical disabilities is
A) teaching them to use existing technologies.
B) accurately evaluating them to determine what would be most useful.
C) devising more sophisticated assistive technology.
D) the high cost of assistive technology.
Praxis: III.E.
CEC: CC7S9
41) Each of the following statements about education for most children with a physical
disability is true EXCEPT
A) It should be similar to that for children without disabilities but at a somewhat
lower age level.
B) It is often extended beyond that typically provided to include self-help skills.
C) Objectives should include autonomy and self-advocacy.
D) Attention should be given to environmental changes that allow them to
respond more effectively.
Praxis: III.E.
CEC: CC7K1
42) The primary goal of adapted physical education is
A) to eliminate physical education as a requirement for students with physical
disabilities.
B) to provide physical education in a separate setting for students with physical
disabilities.
C) to give students with physical disabilities more time in physical education to
catch up to their peers.
D) to allow access to activities that support physical, recreational, and leisure
goals.
Praxis: III.E.
CEC: CC7K1
43) Each of the following is a reason why most students with physical disabilities are
integrated into public schools EXCEPT
A) advances in medical treatment allow greater mobility and functional
movement.
B) decreases in architectural and transportation barriers.
C) federal law defined the least restrictive environment (LRE) as the regular
classroom.
D) movement toward public education for all children.
Praxis: III.D.
CEC: CC2K3
44) A person who provides support for daily living skills and fine motor skills is a(n)
A) physical therapist.
B) occupational therapist.
C) adaptations specialist.
D) cognitive therapist.
Praxis: III.B.
CEC: CC7K5
45) Mr. Kent has a child in his class who has a terminal illness. He should
A) avoid discussing his personal feelings about death and dying.
B) keep other students from airing their feelings during school hours.
C) be direct and open in discussing death and dying with the class.
D) avoid communicating directly with the child’s parents unless a psychologist is
present.
Praxis: III.E.
CEC: CC7K1
46) Which of the following is likely to be the least concern of early intervention for
children with physical disabilities?
A) improving access to school and public buildings
B) preventing further disabilities from developing
C) maximizing the outcome of therapy
D) developing communication skills
Praxis: III.E.
CEC: CC7K1
47) Providing support for the child’s body and arranging instructional or play materials
in certain ways is known as
A) positioning.
B) handling.
C) assisting.
D) adapting.
Praxis: III.E.
CEC: CC7K5
48) When special educators talk about transition, they are generally referring to the
change from
A) home to school.
B) school to work.
C) childhood to adolescence.
D) special education to regular education.
Praxis: III.D.
CEC: CC4S6
49) A situation in which a person with a disability becomes a regular employee,
performs a valued function in a regular work setting, and receives fair pay while
receiving training, social skills instruction, and other services is
A) job coaching.
B) job shadowing.
C) supported employment.
D) partial employment.
Praxis: III.D.
CEC: CC3K2
50) Sociosexual education for students with physical disabilities includes instruction in
all of the following EXCEPT
A) structure and functions of bodies.
B) suppression of sexual desire.
C) alternative modes of sexual gratification.
D) human relationships and responsibilities.
Praxis: III.D.
CEC: CC7K1
14.2 True/False Questions
1) Physical disabilities of all kinds are decreasing because of medical advances.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC1K5
2) Although cerebral palsy is not contagious, it is progressive.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
3) Seizures occur more often in children with developmental disabilities than in children
without disabilities.
Praxis: I.B.
CEC: CC2K5
4) Children with epilepsy are more disposed to learning disabilities than are children
who do not have epilepsy.
Praxis: I.B.
CEC: CC2K5
5) Even though a person’s brain may be intact and functioning properly, he or she may
have neurological impairment because of damage to the spinal cord
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
6) In most students with orthopedic or musculoskeletal disorders, intelligence is
unaffected.
Praxis: I.B.
CEC: CC2K6
7) Teenage mothers are more likely than older women to give birth to premature or low-
birthweight babies.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC2K1
8) In general, academic achievement of children with physical disabilities is below that
of their nondisabled peers.
Praxis: I.B.
CEC: CC2K5
9) Motor skills need to be taught in isolation to avoid confusing the learner.
Praxis: III.E.
CEC: CC7K1
10) Most physical disabilities, even if severe, do not in themselves prevent sexual
gratification.
Praxis: I.B.
CEC: CC3K1
14.3 Short Answer Questions
1) Discuss the relationship between medical advances and the prevalence of physical
disabilities.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC1K1
2) List and define the three categories of physical disabilities described in the chapter
and provide one example of each. Define each condition.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC1K5
3) Define cerebral palsy and discuss the range of effects that this condition can have on
functioning.
Praxis: I.B.
CEC: CC3K1
4) Describe the procedures to be followed when a child has a seizure.
Praxis: III.B.
CEC: CC9K4
5) Describe four ways that many physical disabilities could be prevented.
Praxis: I.C.
CEC: CC1K1
6) Discuss possible reasons for negative reactions to people with physical disabilities,
negative feelings about themselves, and factors that may result in greater acceptance
of people with physical disabilities.
Praxis: II.B.
CEC: CC2K3
7) Distinguish between prostheses, orthoses, and adaptive devices and provide an
example of each.
Praxis: III.E.
CEC: CC7S9
8) Explain what is meant by the statement: “Educating students with physical disabilities
is not so much a matter of special instruction for children with disabilities as it is of
educating the nondisabled population.” Think about your own home, school, and
community and provide three examples of limitations imposed on a person with a
physical disability and how those limitations could be eliminated.
Praxis: II.B.
CEC: CC2K3
9) Why is it important for teachers to know about and to practice proper positioning and
handling of students with physical disabilities?
Praxis: III.E.
CEC: CC9S5
10) Discuss the factors that have led to expanded employment opportunities for
individuals with physical disabilities.
Praxis: III.D.
CEC: CC3K2
Chapter 14 Learners with Physical Disabilities and Other Health
Impairments
14.1 Multiple-Choice Questions
14.2 True/False Questions
14.3 Short Answer Questions
