Praxis Speech-Language Pathology

Which speech pattern in a 4-year-old English-speaking child most strongly warrants further evaluation for a phonological disorder?

• AFronting /k/ to /t/ in words such as cat
• BGliding /r/ to /w/ in words such as rabbit
• CBacking /t/ to /k/ in words such as toy
• DCluster reduction in words such as spoon

Which cranial nerve provides the primary motor innervation for soft-palate movement needed for velopharyngeal closure during speech and swallowing?

• ATrigeminal nerve (CN V)
• BVagus nerve (CN X)
• CFacial nerve (CN VII)
• DHypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

An SLP is evaluating a child whose parents speak primarily Somali and have limited English proficiency. The clinic has access to a trained interpreter. What is the BEST way to conduct the parent interview?

• AUse the trained interpreter, address the parents directly, and document that the intervie…
• BAsk the child's older sibling to interpret because the family already trusts the sibling
• CConduct the interview in English only and rely on gestures for clarification
• DSkip the parent interview because standardized testing is more objective than caregiver r…

In Part C early intervention, which action most reflects a coaching-based, family-centered approach for a toddler with language delay?

• AProvide clinician-directed drills while caregivers watch silently from across the room
• BGive the caregiver a vocabulary list and ask for exactly 20 minutes of nightly practice
• CFocus only on clinician-child interaction so the caregiver does not interfere with therapy
• DModel a strategy in a daily routine, observe the caregiver use it, and problem-solve toge…

A teacher reports increasing vocal fatigue by the end of each school day. Which preventive recommendation is MOST appropriate?

• AWhisper whenever the throat feels tired
• BIncrease hydration and reduce habitual throat clearing
• CAvoid speaking at home so the voice can reset overnight
• DPractice repeated hard glottal attacks to build vocal strength

Which documentation excerpt BEST supports continued skilled dysphagia therapy in an outpatient medical chart?

• APatient attended therapy and worked hard today.
• BWill continue the same plan because more therapy should help.
• CPatient used a supraglottic swallow with moderate cues and reduced overt coughing from 6…
• DPatient still has dysphagia and should keep coming twice a week.

Which presentation is MOST characteristic of cluttering rather than developmental stuttering?

• ARapid or irregular rate with reduced awareness and collapsing syllables
• BFrequent audible sound prolongations with strong anticipation and struggle
• CConsistent word-final repetitions with clear awareness of each disruption
• DTension-filled blocks that worsen when the speaker tries to initiate speech

A bilingual kindergartner uses some grammar patterns in English that reflect influence from the home language but demonstrates age-appropriate skills across both languages. This MOST likely reflects:

• AAn expressive language disorder because the child's grammar differs across languages
• BA phonological disorder because mixed-language production is abnormal
• CA cognitive disorder because the child is confusing two language systems
• DA language difference associated with bilingual development

Damage to the basal ganglia is most likely to produce which motor speech pattern?

• AFlaccid dysarthria from lower motor neuron weakness
• BHyperkinetic dysarthria with involuntary movements and variable breakdowns
• CApraxia of speech caused solely by impaired planning in left frontal cortex
• DAtaxic dysarthria from cerebellar timing deficits

Which task is outside routine delegation to an SLPA and should remain the supervising SLP's responsibility?

• AImplementing a treatment activity exactly as planned by the SLP
• BCollecting data during a therapy session
• CPerforming a clinical swallowing evaluation and making diet recommendations
• DPreparing materials for a scheduled treatment session

Which early social-communication behavior is a key precursor to later spoken language development in infancy?

• AJoint attention
• BMouthing objects
• CThe Moro reflex
• DToe walking

A patient with advanced head and neck cancer wants to continue small pleasure feeds despite known aspiration risk. What is the BEST counseling response from the SLP?

• AExplain that any aspiration risk requires immediate and permanent NPO status
• BTell the family that comfort feeding is not a communication or swallowing issue
• CRefuse to discuss quality-of-life goals because airway safety must always override prefer…
• DReview risks and benefits, elicit the patient's goals, and collaborate with the team on a…

An SLP realizes that yesterday's note omitted an important aspiration event observed during treatment. What is the MOST appropriate way to correct the medical record?

• ADelete the original note and rewrite it from memory
• BAdd a dated late entry or addendum that preserves the original documentation
• CChange the original note without identifying the change so the chart stays clean
• DWait until the discharge summary to mention the event

Which feature most strongly supports childhood apraxia of speech rather than a consistent phonological disorder?

• APredictable final consonant deletion across many words
• BA limited consonant inventory due to structural cleft-related errors
• CInconsistent errors on repeated productions with disrupted transitions and inappropriate…
• DUse of cluster reduction and stopping patterns typical of younger children

In a school MTSS or RTI framework, which activity is an example of Tier 1 language-literacy prevention?

• AProviding classroomwide explicit vocabulary and narrative instruction for all students
• BPulling one student for individual therapy twice weekly
• CInitiating special education eligibility testing for every struggling reader
• DWaiting until third grade to address early oral language weaknesses

Primary auditory cortex is located in which brain region?

• AOccipital lobe
• BPrecentral gyrus
• CInferior parietal lobule
• DHeschl's gyrus of the superior temporal lobe

An SLP licensed in State A provides telepractice to a client who is physically located in State B during sessions. Before beginning services, the SLP must FIRST ensure that:

• AA federal telehealth credential has been issued to the clinician
• BThe clinician is licensed or otherwise authorized to practice where the client is located
• CThe client's payer has already approved every treatment code
• DThe clinician has completed a telepractice continuing education course this year