Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention Flashcards
7 cards from real CEA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention flashcards as text
Which ergonomic risk factor is UNIQUE to whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure compared to other MSD risk factors?
Answer: Resonance of lumbar spinal structures at 4–8 Hz frequencies
The lumbar spine has a resonance frequency of approximately 4–8 Hz, matching common vehicle and equipment vibration ranges, making WBV a specific risk factor for lumbar disc degeneration.
A participatory ergonomics program differs from a traditional ergonomics program primarily because it:
Answer: Actively involves workers in identifying hazards and designing solutions
Participatory ergonomics engages workers as active collaborators in hazard identification and solution development, improving both solution quality and worker buy-in.
What is the significance of the 'action limit' (AL) in the context of MSD risk assessment for manual handling tasks?
Answer: It is the exposure level below which most workers face negligible risk and above which engineering controls are recommended
The action limit identifies the threshold where MSD risk becomes notable; above it, engineering controls should be implemented, and above the maximum permissible limit, administrative controls alone are insufficient.
A nurse reports pain in the base of the thumb and wrist that worsens when making a fist and moving the wrist ulnarly. A Finkelstein test is positive. Which MSD is indicated?
Answer: De Quervain's tenosynovitis
A positive Finkelstein test (pain with ulnar deviation and thumb tucked in fist) is the hallmark clinical sign of De Quervain's tenosynovitis, affecting the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons.
Which of the following statements about contact stress as an MSD risk factor is CORRECT?
Answer: Localized pressure on soft tissue from edges or surfaces can compress nerves and reduce blood flow, contributing to MSDs
Contact stress (mechanical compression) from hard edges on soft tissues can impair blood flow, compress nerves, and damage tendons independently of other risk factors.
When applying the Strain Index (SI) to evaluate distal upper extremity MSD risk, a score greater than what value is generally considered hazardous?
Answer: 7.0
A Strain Index score greater than 7.0 is associated with significantly elevated risk of distal upper extremity MSDs, based on the original Moore and Garg validation studies.
Which element of an effective MSD prevention program ensures that interventions remain effective as tasks and workforces change over time?
Answer: Periodic program evaluation and continuous improvement processes
Continuous improvement processes — including periodic reassessment, tracking MSD trends, and updating controls — ensure an MSD prevention program adapts to changing work conditions.