What functional ability should an occupational therapist evaluate for a client who struggles to locate items after brain tumor treatment?

The functional ability that should be evaluated in this scenario is visual scanning. After brain tumor treatment, clients may experience various cognitive and perceptual challenges, including difficulties with locating items. Visual scanning refers to the ability to systematically search and find objects or information within the visual field. This skill is crucial for everyday activities, such as finding personal belongings, navigating environments, and reading.

When individuals have undergone treatment for brain tumors, their ability to process visual information can be impacted, leading to challenges in scanning their surroundings effectively. By assessing visual scanning, the occupational therapist can identify specific deficits and tailor intervention strategies to help the client improve their ability to locate items and re-engage in meaningful activities.

Other functional abilities, such as visual memory, spatial awareness, and concentration, while relevant in their own contexts, would not directly address the issue of item location as specifically as visual scanning does. Each of these areas plays a role in overall cognitive function and could contribute to the difficulties experienced by the client, but visual scanning most directly impacts the ability to search for and find items in the environment.