COHN Occupational Case Management 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An employer offers light duty to an injured worker, but the treating physician has not yet approved it. The case manager should:
- Advise the worker to accept the offer without physician input
- Communicate the light duty job description to the treating physician for medical review and approval (Correct answer)
- Require the worker to return immediately since light duty was offered
- Contact the insurer to terminate temporary disability benefits immediately
Correct answer: Communicate the light duty job description to the treating physician for medical review and approval
The treating physician must review and approve any modified duty offer to ensure the work is safe and within the worker's restrictions before return.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST describes the 'biopsychosocial model' as applied in occupational case management?
- A model focused solely on physical injury and biomedical treatment
- An approach addressing biological, psychological, and social factors that influence recovery and return to work (Correct answer)
- A cost-containment strategy used by insurers
- A federal regulatory framework for workplace injury reporting
Correct answer: An approach addressing biological, psychological, and social factors that influence recovery and return to work
The biopsychosocial model recognizes that biological, psychological, and social factors all interact to influence injury recovery and occupational rehabilitation outcomes.
Question 3: A case manager is working with a worker who speaks limited English. Which action is MOST appropriate to ensure informed consent for case management services?
- Ask the worker's supervisor to translate for efficiency
- Arrange for a professional medical interpreter to explain services and obtain consent (Correct answer)
- Proceed with case management and document that a language barrier exists
- Request a family member to interpret all clinical discussions
Correct answer: Arrange for a professional medical interpreter to explain services and obtain consent
A professional medical interpreter ensures accurate communication and respects the worker's rights, maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of secondary prevention in occupational health case management?
- Implementing pre-employment physicals to screen for pre-existing conditions
- Early intervention programs after an injury to prevent long-term disability (Correct answer)
- Installing ergonomic workstations before any injuries occur
- Returning a permanently disabled worker to the workforce through vocational training
Correct answer: Early intervention programs after an injury to prevent long-term disability
Secondary prevention focuses on early intervention after an injury occurs to minimize severity and prevent long-term disability or complications.
Question 5: A case manager suspects that a worker's claim involves significant psychosocial 'yellow flags.' Which of the following is a yellow flag?
- Fractured tibia confirmed by radiograph
- Fear-avoidance beliefs about pain and activity (Correct answer)
- Positive EMG findings consistent with nerve damage
- OSHA-required medical treatment for chemical exposure
Correct answer: Fear-avoidance beliefs about pain and activity
Yellow flags are psychosocial risk factors such as fear-avoidance beliefs, poor coping, and catastrophizing that increase risk of prolonged disability.
Question 6: Which of the following represents a conflict of interest that a COHN case manager must disclose?
- Certifying that a worker has met attendance requirements
- Receiving financial incentives from a preferred provider network that influences referral decisions (Correct answer)
- Recommending a specialist who was nominated by the treating physician
- Sharing case notes with the insurance adjuster for care coordination
Correct answer: Receiving financial incentives from a preferred provider network that influences referral decisions
Financial incentives tied to referral decisions represent a conflict of interest that must be disclosed to protect the integrity of case management practice.
Question 7: The term 'transitional work program' in occupational case management refers to:
- A program for transitioning employees to retirement
- A temporary, structured alternative work assignment designed to accommodate restrictions while the worker recovers (Correct answer)
- A vocational training program for permanently disabled workers
- An OSHA-mandated light duty assignment for all injured workers
Correct answer: A temporary, structured alternative work assignment designed to accommodate restrictions while the worker recovers
A transitional work program provides temporary modified or alternative work assignments that accommodate a recovering worker's restrictions and support return to full duty.
COHN Occupational Case Management 4
An employer offers light duty to an injured worker, but the treating physician has not yet approved it.
The case manager should: