COHN Ergonomics and Physical Hazards Questions and Answers

Question 1

An occupational health nurse is conducting an ergonomic assessment of a workstation for an employee who performs data entry for 8 hours a day.
The nurse utilizes the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool.
This tool is MOST appropriate for this task because it specifically evaluates:

Accepted Answer

Biomechanical and postural load on the neck, trunk, and upper extremities.

Answer

Whole-body postural musculoskeletal risks, including the legs and trunk.

Answer

The maximum acceptable weight for manual material handling tasks.

Answer

The risk of developing Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

Question 2

A manufacturer implements a new process that requires workers to use a handheld pneumatic wrench. After several months, a worker reports intermittent blanching (whitening), numbness, and tingling in their fingers, especially in cold conditions. The occupational health nurse should recognize these symptoms as most characteristic of which physical hazard-related condition?

Accepted Answer

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

Answer

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Answer

Tendonitis

Answer

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Question 3

An occupational health nurse is part of a team tasked with reducing the risk of low back injuries in a warehouse. They are using the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation to calculate the Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) for a specific lifting task. Which of the following factors is a key variable in this equation?

Accepted Answer

The horizontal distance of the load from the worker's body.

Answer

The worker's age and gender.

Answer

The ambient temperature of the warehouse.

Answer

The worker's pre-existing medical history.

Question 4

A company's safety committee, including the occupational health nurse, is reviewing controls for a noisy manufacturing area. They have already provided all affected employees with hearing protection. According to the hierarchy of controls, which of the following actions represents a more effective long-term solution?

Accepted Answer

Enclosing the primary noise-producing machine in an acoustic barrier.

Answer

Implementing mandatory annual audiometric testing.

Answer

Rotating employees out of the noisy area every two hours.

Answer

Posting additional signage requiring the use of hearing protection.

Question 5

According to OSHA's Occupational Noise Exposure standard (29 CFR 1910.95), an employer is required to implement a hearing conservation program when the time-weighted average (TWA) noise exposure equals or exceeds what level?

Accepted Answer

85 dBA over an 8-hour shift

Answer

80 dBA over an 8-hour shift

Answer

90 dBA over an 8-hour shift

Answer

100 dBA over an 8-hour shift

Question 6

An occupational health nurse is educating a group of assembly line workers on preventing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Which of the following should the nurse identify as a primary ergonomic risk factor?

Accepted Answer

Awkward postures

Answer

Poor indoor air quality

Answer

Inadequate lighting

Answer

High-pressure deadlines