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NBCOT OTR

Occupational Therapy Essentials Book

Never second-guess yourself in clinicals or on the NBCOT again. The Occupational Therapy Essentials Book delivers quick, reliable information when you need it most.

  • 550+ full-color pages across 12 subject areas
  • Can be used for NBCOT and OT school prep
  • Illustrations, comparison tables and mnemonics
  • Know This boxes, Quick Tips and NBCOT Tips throughout
  • Spiral bound with divider tabs so it lays flat
  • Built for OT and OTA school, fieldwork and the NBCOT

Choose your plan

$149.99

Printed, spiral bound. Free US shipping.

What is your NBCOT month and year? Required

Pre-order

  • Printed OT books and flashcards ship starting January 1, 2027.
Total$149.99

Not sure this is the right fit? Find my study plan

  • Free US shipping on printed books and flashcards.
  • Secure checkout through Shopify.

What’s Included

This book breaks down difficult occupational therapy topics into easily digestible content.

OT Essentials pages labeled with Know This, NBCOT Tips, illustrations, Quick Tips, mnemonics and red flags.
What’s Included What’s Included

Table of Contents

550+ pages across 12 subjects.

Subjects

Examination

19 topics
  1. Referral and Screening
  2. Occupational Profile
  3. Screening Questions
  4. Referred Pain Patterns
  5. Initial Observation
  6. Posture
  7. Edema
  8. Skin Integrity
  9. Neurological and Sensory Screen
  10. Range of Motion
  11. MMT
  12. Special Tests
  13. Outcome Measures
  14. Creating a Problem List
  15. Goals and Intervention Planning
  16. Intervention
  17. Reevaluation and Intervention Review
  18. Discharge, Transition, and Outcomes
  19. Documentation

Musculoskeletal

31 topics
  1. Foundations
  2. Shoulder Anatomy
  3. Scapular Winging
  4. Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy and Tears
  5. Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)
  6. Shoulder Labrum Tears
  7. Shoulder Arthroplasty
  8. Elbow Anatomy
  9. Elbow Pathologies
  10. Wrist and Hand Anatomy
  11. Wrist and Hand Pathologies
  12. Fractures
  13. Salter-Harris Fracture Classification
  14. Hip and Pelvis Anatomy
  15. Hip Fractures
  16. Total Hip Arthroplasty
  17. Knee
  18. Ankle and Foot
  19. Spine
  20. Low Back Pain
  21. Herniated Disc
  22. Types of Spondys
  23. Scoliosis
  24. Cauda Equina vs. Conus Medullaris
  25. Brachial Plexus
  26. Peripheral Nerve Injuries
  27. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
  28. Osteoarthritis vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis
  29. Osteoporosis
  30. Amputations and Prosthetics
  31. Orthotics and Splinting

Neuromuscular

28 topics
  1. Neurological Foundations
  2. Anatomy of the Brain
  3. Cranial Nerves
  4. Circle of Willis
  5. UMN vs LMN Syndrome
  6. Basal Ganglia vs. Cerebellum
  7. Babinski Reflex
  8. Traumatic Brain Injury
  9. Stroke
  10. Lateral Medullary Syndrome
  11. Spinal Cord Injuries
  12. Spinal Cord Injury Interventions
  13. Parkinson Disease
  14. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
  15. Guillain-Barré Syndrome
  16. Peripheral Polyneuropathy
  17. Myasthenia Gravis
  18. Post-Polio Syndrome
  19. Seizure Disorders
  20. Cognitive and Perceptual Foundations
  21. Vision, Visual Fields, and Oculomotor Dysfunction
  22. Unilateral Neglect
  23. Cognitive-Perceptual Deficits
  24. Visual-Perceptual Deficits
  25. Low Vision
  26. Neurorehabilitation Approaches
  27. Motor Adjuncts and CIMT
  28. Spasticity and Tone Management

Pediatrics

17 topics
  1. Principles of Development
  2. Developmental Milestones
  3. Primitive Reflexes and Postural Reactions
  4. Early Intervention & School-Based Practice
  5. Cerebral Palsy
  6. Spina Bifida
  7. Erb vs. Klumpke Palsy
  8. Muscular Dystrophy
  9. Spinal Muscular Atrophy
  10. Down Syndrome
  11. Intellectual Disability
  12. Autism Spectrum Disorder
  13. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  14. Prematurity
  15. Sensory Integration/Processing
  16. Pediatric Feeding and Eating
  17. Handwriting

Cardiopulmonary

26 topics
  1. Anatomy of the Heart
  2. Important Structures and Blood Flow
  3. Evaluation
  4. Monitoring BP
  5. Cardiac Equations
  6. Heart Sounds
  7. Monitoring Exertion
  8. RPE Scale
  9. Lab Values
  10. Sternal Precautions
  11. Cardiopulmonary Medications
  12. EKG
  13. Abnormal EKG
  14. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
  15. Angina
  16. Myocardial Infarction
  17. Congestive Heart Failure
  18. Peripheral Vascular Disease
  19. Cardiac Surgeries, Procedures, and Devices
  20. Cardiac Rehabilitation
  21. Pulmonary Structures
  22. Restrictive Versus Obstructive Lung Disease
  23. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  24. Restrictive Conditions
  25. Asthma vs Cystic Fibrosis
  26. Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Integumentary

7 topics
  1. Skin Structure and Function
  2. Assessment
  3. Pressure Injuries
  4. Vascular and Neuropathic Ulcers
  5. Burns
  6. Wounds
  7. Scleroderma and Systemic Sclerosis

Other Systems

8 topics
  1. Gastrointestinal System
  2. Renal and Genitourinary System
  3. Endocrine System
  4. Obesity and Bariatric Care
  5. Oncology
  6. Lymphatic System
  7. Immune and Infectious Conditions
  8. Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Mental Health

22 topics
  1. Key Definitions
  2. Mental Status Examination
  3. Schizophrenia Spectrum
  4. Bipolar Disorders
  5. Major Depressive Disorder
  6. Anxiety Disorders
  7. Trauma & Related Disorders
  8. Substance Use Disorders
  9. Personality Disorders
  10. OCD and Related Disorders
  11. Feeding and Eating Disorders
  12. Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders
  13. Neurocognitive Disorders
  14. OT Role in Psychopharmacology
  15. Psychosocial Models
  16. Cognitive Disability Frame of Reference
  17. Sensory Approaches in Mental Health
  18. Group Dynamics in Mental Health
  19. Psychosocial Assessment
  20. Managing Challenging Behaviors
  21. Abuse
  22. Life-Threatening Illness

ADLs and IADLs

14 topics
  1. Occupational Therapy Practice Framework
  2. ADL and IADL Foundations
  3. ADL and IADL Evaluation
  4. Self-Care ADL Adaptation
  5. Adult Eating & Feeding
  6. Functional Mobility and Transfers
  7. Wheelchairs
  8. Mobility Aids and Ambulation Devices
  9. Assistive Technology
  10. Home and Environmental Modification
  11. Driving and Community Mobility
  12. Ergonomics
  13. Return To Work
  14. Health & Sleep Management

Modalities

11 topics
  1. Physical Agent Modalities (PAMs) in Practice
  2. Heat Transfer and Tissue Effects
  3. Superficial Heat
  4. Cryotherapy
  5. Ultrasound
  6. Electrical Stimulation Basics
  7. TENS
  8. NMES and FES
  9. Biofeedback
  10. Vasopneumatic Compression
  11. Modality Selection/Documentation

Safety

8 topics
  1. Standard Precautions
  2. Body Mechanics
  3. Falls
  4. Restraints and Restraint Reduction
  5. Medical Emergencies
  6. First Aid and Emergency Response
  7. Emergency
  8. Abuse, Neglect, and Mandated Reporting

Professional Responsibility

9 topics
  1. Professional Ethics
  2. Roles and Supervision
  3. Documentation
  4. Service Delivery Models
  5. Reimbursement and the Health-Care System
  6. Legislation
  7. Management and Program Development
  8. Evidence-Based Practice and Research
  9. Professional Development

Master Complex Concepts with Our Occupational Therapy Essentials Book

Transform challenging OT concepts into clear, memorable knowledge with 550+ pages of beautiful illustrations, quick-reference tools, and proven study strategies designed specifically for occupational therapy students and NBCOT success.

550+ Pages of Comprehensive Content

Extensively detailed material covering major NBCOT and OT school topics with in-depth explanations

Dual-Purpose Resource

Perfect for OT school coursework, clinical rotations, and preparing for your NBCOT

Beautiful Visual Illustrations

Complex occupational therapy concepts made simple through clear, colorful diagrams and anatomical illustrations

Quick Tips, Mnemonics, NBCOT Tips and Know This

Strategic study shortcuts and essential points highlighted throughout each section
OT Essentials book cover surrounded by illustrated sample study pages.

A look inside

Every page is built to be easy to study

  • Full-color illustrations
  • Quick Tips and mnemonics
  • Know This boxes with the high-yield points
  • Comparison tables for look-alike conditions
  • Color-coded divider tabs for every subject

Tap the image to zoom in and read a full page.

Details

Find answers to common questions about our product.

Product Specification

Size: 8.5 x 11 inches, spiral-bound softcover

Premium matte-coated cover, full-color printing

Easy-to-use divider tabs

Individually packaged for protection

Physical copy only. A digital version is not included.

Shipping Information

We offer two shipping options at checkout:

  • Free Standard Shipping — Estimated delivery in 5–7 business days
  • Fast Shipping ($10) — Estimated delivery in 2–3 business days

Business days do not include weekends or holidays. Tracking information will be provided via email once your order ships.

Please Note: Once your order is placed, we are unable to change the shipping address, so please double-check your details before completing your purchase.

Ask A Question

Frequently asked questions

How many pages are in the book?

550+ pages covering 12 subject areas.

Is a digital version available?

No. The book is a printed, spiral-bound copy only.

What size is it?

8.5 x 11 inches, spiral bound, with a matte cover, full-color pages and divider tabs.

Can OTA students use it?

Yes. The book covers what both OTR and COTA candidates need.

How long does shipping take?

Free standard shipping in the US takes 5 to 7 business days. Fast shipping is $10 and takes 2 to 3 business days. The shipping address cannot be changed after you order.

Can I return the book?

All sales are final once the packaging has been opened. Because this is a physical product, we are unable to offer refunds or exchanges after the package has been unsealed. Please review the product details and table of contents on this page before purchasing.