ABOHN COHN Certified Occupational Health Nurse

An employee reports to the occupational health clinic with a back injury sustained while lifting a heavy box. The nurse suspects a herniated disc. What is the MOST appropriate initial action?

• AImmediately refer to the emergency department for MRI
• BApply ice, assess neurovascular status, and initiate first aid protocols
• CSend the employee back to work with light duty restrictions
• DCall the workers compensation carrier to report the injury

An employee returns to work after a 6-week absence due to a work-related shoulder injury. What is the primary purpose of a return-to-work evaluation?

• ADetermine if the employee is eligible for workers compensation benefits
• BAssess the employees ability to perform essential job functions safely
• CCalculate the total cost of the injury to the employer
• DIdentify who was at fault for the original injury

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), how many weeks of unpaid leave is an eligible employee entitled to in a 12-month period?

• A8 weeks
• B10 weeks
• C12 weeks
• D16 weeks

A worker sustains a laceration to the hand while using a box cutter. After providing first aid, what is the occupational health nurses next priority?

• AComplete the workers compensation claim form
• BAssess if the injury meets OSHA recordkeeping criteria
• CContact the employees supervisor to arrange coverage
• DSchedule a follow-up appointment with occupational medicine

Which of the following is the BEST definition of "fitness for duty" in occupational health nursing?

• AThe employee can perform all job functions without any restrictions
• BThe employee can safely perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accomm…
• CThe employee has fully recovered from all injuries or illnesses
• DThe employee can work overtime hours without limitation

An employee with diabetes asks for a modified work schedule to attend medical appointments. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), what is the employers obligation?

• AProvide the modification only if it does not cost the employer any money
• BEngage in an interactive process to determine reasonable accommodation
• CGrant the request only if the employee takes paid time off
• DDeny the request if other employees would be inconvenienced

What is the primary purpose of workers compensation insurance?

• ATo punish employers for unsafe working conditions
• BTo provide medical benefits and wage replacement for work-related injuries regardless of…
• CTo cover injuries that occur outside of the workplace
• DTo replace health insurance for all employees

An employee is placed on short-term disability (STD) after a work-related knee surgery. Who typically pays for STD benefits?

• AThe state workers compensation board only
• BThe employer or a third-party insurance carrier
• CThe federal government through Social Security
• DThe employee out-of-pocket only

What is the FIRST step in the occupational health nursing case management process?

• ADevelop a treatment plan
• BConduct a comprehensive assessment of the employee and injury
• CContact the workers compensation adjuster
• DSchedule follow-up appointments

An employee reports exposure to a chemical splash in the eye. What is the immediate priority intervention?

• ACheck the safety data sheet (SDS) for the chemical
• BBegin eye irrigation with water or saline for at least 15-20 minutes
• CTransport the employee to the emergency department immediately
• DDocument the incident in the OSHA log

Which of the following is considered a "red flag" symptom requiring immediate emergency referral for a back injury?

• AMild muscle soreness
• BSaddle anesthesia and loss of bowel control
• CPain that improves with rest
• DDecreased range of motion

In workers compensation case management, what does the term "maximum medical improvement" (MMI) mean?

• AThe employee has fully recovered to pre-injury status
• BThe employees condition has stabilized and is unlikely to improve with further treatment
• CThe employee can return to work without any restrictions
• DThe workers compensation claim must be closed immediately

What is the PRIMARY goal of a transitional duty or light duty program?

• ATo reduce the employers workers compensation premiums
• BTo facilitate an injured employees early and safe return to productive work
• CTo avoid OSHA recordable injuries
• DTo eliminate the need for medical treatment

An employee with hypertension is being monitored through the occupational health clinic. How often should blood pressure typically be checked for stable, controlled hypertension?

• ADaily
• BWeekly
• CEvery 3-6 months
• DOnly when symptoms occur

What is the occupational health nurses primary responsibility when an employee is diagnosed with an occupational illness?

• ADetermine the amount of workers compensation payment
• BCoordinate medical care and report to appropriate regulatory agencies if required
• CTerminate the employees employment
• DAssign blame to the employer or employee

An employee has been on modified duty for 12 weeks following a wrist fracture. The treating physician has released the employee to full duty, but the employee states they are still in significant pain and cannot perform their regular job. What is the occupational health nurses BEST initial action?

• AAccept the employees statement and keep them on modified duty indefinitely
• BRequire the employee to return to full duty immediately per the physicians release
• CConduct a reassessment, communicate with the physician about the discrepancy, and explore…
• DRefer the employee to a pain management specialist

Under FMLA regulations, which of the following situations would NOT qualify for protected leave?

• AAn employee needs time to recover from a serious health condition
• BAn employee needs to care for a parent with a serious health condition
• CAn employee wants to care for a sibling with a serious health condition
• DAn employee needs time for the birth and bonding with a newborn child

An employee sustains a work-related knee injury requiring surgery. After 6 months, the employee has reached maximum medical improvement with a 10% permanent partial impairment. What happens to the employees workers compensation benefits at this point?

• AAll benefits stop immediately
• BWage replacement stops but medical benefits continue for the impairment
• CThe employee receives a permanent impairment settlement and future medical may be limited
• DThe employee is guaranteed lifetime wage replacement

A manufacturing employee reports to the occupational health clinic with gradually worsening wrist pain and numbness in the fingers. The symptoms worsen during work hours and improve on weekends. What is the MOST likely diagnosis?

• AAcute wrist sprain
• BCarpal tunnel syndrome
• CRaynauds phenomenon
• DDe Quervains tenosynovitis

An employee has been approved for intermittent FMLA leave for migraine headaches. How should the occupational health nurse manage this situation?

• ARequire a doctors note for each absence
• BTrack qualifying absences and ensure the total does not exceed 12 weeks
• CDeny the leave because migraines are unpredictable
• DPlace the employee on continuous medical leave instead

During a pre-placement physical, a candidate discloses a history of well-controlled epilepsy. The job involves working at heights on scaffolding. What is the occupational health nurses BEST course of action?

• AAutomatically disqualify the candidate due to safety concerns
• BConduct an individualized assessment considering seizure control, job requirements, and r…
• CApprove the candidate without any restrictions
• DRefer the candidate to a different job without informing the employer

An employee with a work-related lower back injury has been cleared for light duty with a 20-pound lifting restriction. The employees regular job requires lifting up to 50 pounds. What is the BEST approach to managing the return to work?

• AKeep the employee off work until they can lift 50 pounds
• BIdentify tasks within the 20-pound restriction or modify the job temporarily
• CIgnore the restriction because the employee looks capable
• DHave the employee work from home until fully recovered

Which of the following injuries would be considered an OSHA recordable event?

• AA minor cut treated with a bandage
• BA sprained ankle requiring prescription medication
• CA headache relieved with over-the-counter medication
• DA small burn treated with aloe vera gel

An employee reports to the clinic with symptoms of chest tightness, shortness of breath, and wheezing that began after cleaning chemicals were spilled in their work area. What is the FIRST priority?

• ADocument the exposure in the medical record
• BAssess airway, breathing, and circulation status and provide emergency care as needed
• CContact the employees supervisor about the chemical spill
• DAsk the employee to complete an incident report

In managing a complex workers compensation case, the occupational health nurse notes that the injured employee is showing signs of depression and has missed several physical therapy appointments. What is the BEST intervention?

• AReport the employee for non-compliance with treatment
• BAddress the depression with the employee and coordinate care with the treating physician…
• CExtend the employees time off work until they feel better
• DIgnore the depression and focus only on the physical injury

An employee has been out on long-term disability (LTD) for 18 months due to a work-related spinal injury. The treating physician states the employee will never return to their previous occupation. What is the NEXT step in the case management process?

• ATerminate the employees employment
• BInitiate vocational rehabilitation and assess for alternative employment options
• CContinue LTD benefits indefinitely without further action
• DRequire the employee to return to their previous job despite medical opinion

An employee sustains a traumatic amputation of a finger while operating machinery. After providing first aid and stabilizing the employee, what is the occupational health nurses NEXT priority?

• AComplete all required documentation
• BEnsure the amputated part is properly preserved and transported with the employee to the…
• CCall the employees family
• DSecure the accident scene for investigation

During a routine health screening, an employee is found to have a blood pressure of 180/110 mmHg. The employee reports occasional headaches but feels fine otherwise. What is the MOST appropriate nursing action?

• ATell the employee to monitor their blood pressure at home and return in 6 months
• BRecheck the blood pressure and refer to a healthcare provider the same day for urgent eva…
• CStart the employee on antihypertensive medication immediately
• DDisregard the reading due to "white coat syndrome"

Which of the following BEST describes the role of the occupational health nurse in ADA interactive process meetings?

• AMake the final decision on what accommodations will be provided
• BProvide medical expertise about the employees condition and functional limitations
• CRepresent the employee in negotiations with management
• DDocument that the employer is complying with federal regulations

An employee with a rotator cuff tear has completed physical therapy and is ready to return to work. The physician has cleared the employee for full duty. What should the occupational health nurse do BEFORE finalizing the return to work?

• AVerify the clearance in writing and conduct a functional capacity evaluation if indicated
• BHave the employee sign a waiver releasing the company from liability
• CRequire the employee to work one week on modified duty as a trial period
• DContact the workers compensation adjuster for permission

An employee reports to the clinic 2 hours after a potential bloodborne pathogen exposure through a needlestick. The source patient is unknown. What is the appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis approach?

• ANo treatment is needed since the source is unknown
• BWait for the source patient to be identified before starting any prophylaxis
• CInitiate post-exposure prophylaxis immediately while attempting to identify the source
• DOnly provide prophylaxis if the employee tests positive for infection

Which factor is MOST predictive of delayed return to work following a work-related musculoskeletal injury?

• AThe severity of the initial injury
• BJob dissatisfaction and poor workplace relationships
• CThe employees age over 50
• DDistance from the employees home to the workplace

An employee with a workers compensation claim requests a copy of their medical records maintained by the occupational health nurse. What is the appropriate response?

• ARefuse because workers compensation records belong to the employer
• BProvide the records as requested with any required authorizations
• COnly provide records related to the work injury, not other visits
• DRequire the employee to obtain a court order first