COHN Workplace Injury and Illness Questions and Answers

Question 1

An employee in a manufacturing facility reports to the occupational health nurse with a laceration on their forearm sustained while operating machinery.
The nurse applies a butterfly bandage and a sterile dressing.
The employee returns to their regular duties.
According to OSHA's recordkeeping requirements, is this event a recordable injury?

Accepted Answer

No, because the treatment provided is considered first aid.

Answer

Yes, because the injury occurred in the work environment.

Answer

Yes, because a dressing was applied to the wound.

Answer

No, because the employee did not miss any days of work.

Question 2

An office worker is diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. The occupational health nurse is developing a plan to mitigate ergonomic risk factors for this employee. Which of the following would be the MOST effective initial intervention?

Accepted Answer

Conducting an ergonomic assessment of the employee's workstation.

Answer

Recommending surgery to release the carpal tunnel.

Answer

Providing the employee with a wrist splint to wear at all times.

Answer

Placing the employee on permanent work restrictions.

Question 3

As a case manager, the occupational health nurse's primary role in the return-to-work process for an injured employee is to:

Accepted Answer

Serve as a liaison between the employee, employer, healthcare providers, and insurance carrier.

Answer

Determine the employee's eligibility for long-term disability benefits.

Answer

Dispute the treating physician's work restrictions if they seem too conservative.

Answer

Mandate that the employee return to full duty by a specific date.

Question 4

Which of the following scenarios involving a work-related injury would require mandatory recording on the OSHA 300 Log?

Accepted Answer

An employee experiences a brief loss of consciousness after being struck by a falling box.

Answer

An employee is exposed to a chemical but experiences no signs or symptoms.

Answer

An employee receives a tetanus shot as a precaution after a minor scratch.

Answer

An employee is given non-prescription pain medication at a dose available over-the-counter.

Question 5

An employee returns to work with a physician's note stating 'no lifting more than 10 pounds' for two weeks following a back strain. The employee's regular job requires lifting 25-pound boxes. What is the occupational health nurse's most appropriate NEXT action?

Accepted Answer

Communicate the restrictions to the employee's supervisor to explore modified duty.

Answer

Tell the employee to ignore the restriction as it is only for two weeks.

Answer

Send the employee home until they are cleared for full duty.

Answer

Contact the physician to request the restriction be lifted immediately.

Question 6

Which of the following is considered a primary ergonomic risk factor for developing a work-related musculoskeletal disorder (MSD)?

Accepted Answer

Repetitive motion.

Answer

Low workplace morale.

Answer

Inadequate lighting.

Answer

High noise levels.