An OT practitioner is working with a client on sitting balance at the edge of the bed. After a couple of seconds, the client begins to fall to the side without reaching her arm out to catch herself, resulting in the OT practitioner catching her and helping the client to regain balance. Which reaction is the client most likely missing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The client is most likely missing a protective reaction, which is the ability to automatically reach out and brace oneself when losing balance to avoid a fall. The other reactions (balance, equilibrium, and righting) are important for maintaining posture and balance, but protective reactions are the first line of defense against falls.

An OT Practitioner Is Working with a Client on Sitting