AEP AEP Musculoskeletal Disorders and Prevention 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool is designed to evaluate exposure to risk factors for disorders of which body regions?
- Lower extremities and lumbar spine
- Upper extremities and neck/trunk (Correct answer)
- Whole body including lower limbs
- Only the hand and wrist
Correct answer: Upper extremities and neck/trunk
RULA focuses on the upper extremities (wrist, forearm, upper arm) and the neck and trunk to identify MSD risk in sedentary and light-duty tasks.
Question 2: Which outcome does a RULA grand score of 7 indicate?
- Acceptable posture; no change needed
- Further investigation; change may be needed
- Investigation and changes needed soon
- Immediate investigation and changes required (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Immediate investigation and changes required
A RULA grand score of 7 is the highest level, indicating the posture is unacceptable and requires immediate corrective action.
Question 3: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) related to ergonomic exposures is primarily associated with compression of which structures?
- Lumbar nerve roots and spinal cord
- Brachial plexus and subclavian vessels near the neck and shoulder (Correct answer)
- Median nerve at the carpal tunnel
- Ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel
Correct answer: Brachial plexus and subclavian vessels near the neck and shoulder
TOS results from compression of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery/vein in the space between the clavicle and first rib, often worsened by sustained overhead work.
Question 4: In the Strain Index, which job variable reflects how close the work demands are to the worker's maximum muscular capability?
- Efforts per minute
- Intensity of exertion (Correct answer)
- Wrist posture
- Duration per exertion
Correct answer: Intensity of exertion
Intensity of exertion in the Strain Index is rated relative to the worker's perceived maximum effort and has a significant multiplying effect on overall score.
Question 5: Which prevention strategy is an example of a SECONDARY intervention for WMSDs?
- Redesigning tools to eliminate awkward postures
- Early reporting and treatment of early symptoms (Correct answer)
- Pre-employment strength testing
- Substituting lighter materials
Correct answer: Early reporting and treatment of early symptoms
Secondary prevention focuses on early identification and treatment of symptoms before they progress to serious injury, such as prompt reporting and medical management.
Question 6: Which hand-wrist disorder is characterized by triggering or locking of a finger due to tendon sheath inflammation?
- Ganglion cyst
- Trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) (Correct answer)
- Dupuytren's contracture
- Raynaud's phenomenon
Correct answer: Trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis)
Trigger finger occurs when the tendon sheath becomes inflamed and thickened, causing the tendon to catch as the finger flexes or extends.
AEP AEP Musculoskeletal Disorders and Prevention 2
The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool is designed to evaluate exposure to risk factors for disorders of which body regions?