200+ Free COHN Practice Questions

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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?

Immediately refer to the emergency department for MRI

Apply ice, assess neurovascular status, and initiate first aid protocols

Send the employee back to work with light duty restrictions

Call the workers compensation carrier to report the injury

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: COHN Exam

160

Total Items

ABOHN exam handbook

135 + 25

Scored + Unscored

ABOHN exam specifications

Exam Time

ABOHN testing information

45%

Clinical Practice

ABOHN test blueprint

32%

Risk & Compliance

ABOHN test blueprint

$360

Exam Fee

ABOHN fee schedule

ABOHN's COHN exam consists of 160 total items (135 scored + 25 unscored) with a 3-hour time limit. The exam covers clinical practice and case management (45%), risk and compliance (32%), and program management (30%). Eligibility requires an active RN license and 3,000+ hours of occupational health nursing practice within the last 5 years.

Sample COHN Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your COHN exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1An 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?

A.Immediately refer to the emergency department for MRI

B.Apply ice, assess neurovascular status, and initiate first aid protocols

C.Send the employee back to work with light duty restrictions

D.Call the workers compensation carrier to report the injury

Explanation: For suspected musculoskeletal injuries in occupational health, the nurse must first provide appropriate first aid including ice application and neurovascular assessment to determine the severity. MRI and emergency referral are only indicated if red flag symptoms are present. Return-to-work decisions require medical evaluation first.

2An 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?

A.Determine if the employee is eligible for workers compensation benefits

B.Assess the employees ability to perform essential job functions safely

C.Calculate the total cost of the injury to the employer

D.Identify who was at fault for the original injury

Explanation: The primary purpose of a return-to-work evaluation is to determine whether the employee can safely perform their essential job functions. This protects both the employee from re-injury and the employer from liability. While workers compensation and costs are administrative concerns, patient safety is the nursing priority.

3Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), how many weeks of unpaid leave is an eligible employee entitled to in a 12-month period?

A.8 weeks

B.10 weeks

C.12 weeks

D.16 weeks

Explanation: FMLA provides eligible employees up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for specified family and medical reasons. This includes serious health conditions, birth or adoption of a child, or caring for an immediate family member with a serious health condition.

4A worker sustains a laceration to the hand while using a box cutter. After providing first aid, what is the occupational health nurses next priority?

A.Complete the workers compensation claim form

B.Assess if the injury meets OSHA recordkeeping criteria

C.Contact the employees supervisor to arrange coverage

D.Schedule a follow-up appointment with occupational medicine

Explanation: After providing care, the nurse must determine if the injury is recordable under OSHA standards. Work-related injuries requiring more than first aid, involving loss of consciousness, restriction of work, or medical treatment beyond first aid must be recorded on the OSHA 300 log.

5Which of the following is the BEST definition of "fitness for duty" in occupational health nursing?

A.The employee can perform all job functions without any restrictions

B.The employee can safely perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations

C.The employee has fully recovered from all injuries or illnesses

D.The employee can work overtime hours without limitation

Explanation: Fitness for duty means the employee can safely perform the essential functions of their job, with or without reasonable accommodations if applicable. This definition recognizes that some employees may need workplace modifications while still being capable of performing essential duties safely.

6An 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?

A.Provide the modification only if it does not cost the employer any money

B.Engage in an interactive process to determine reasonable accommodation

C.Grant the request only if the employee takes paid time off

D.Deny the request if other employees would be inconvenienced

Explanation: The ADA requires employers to engage in an interactive process with employees who request accommodations for disabilities. This collaborative dialogue helps determine what accommodations are reasonable and effective without causing undue hardship to the employer.

7What is the primary purpose of workers compensation insurance?

A.To punish employers for unsafe working conditions

B.To provide medical benefits and wage replacement for work-related injuries regardless of fault

C.To cover injuries that occur outside of the workplace

D.To replace health insurance for all employees

Explanation: Workers compensation is a no-fault insurance system that provides medical care and partial wage replacement to employees injured on the job, regardless of who was at fault. In exchange, employees generally cannot sue their employers for negligence related to the injury.

8An employee is placed on short-term disability (STD) after a work-related knee surgery. Who typically pays for STD benefits?

A.The state workers compensation board only

B.The employer or a third-party insurance carrier

C.The federal government through Social Security

D.The employee out-of-pocket only

Explanation: Short-term disability benefits are typically funded by the employer directly or through a third-party insurance carrier. These benefits provide partial income replacement for non-work-related disabilities. Work-related injuries are usually covered by workers compensation, not STD.

9What is the FIRST step in the occupational health nursing case management process?

A.Develop a treatment plan

B.Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the employee and injury

C.Contact the workers compensation adjuster

D.Schedule follow-up appointments

Explanation: The nursing process always begins with assessment. In occupational health case management, this includes evaluating the employees medical condition, understanding the mechanism of injury, reviewing job demands, and identifying barriers to recovery and return to work.

10An employee reports exposure to a chemical splash in the eye. What is the immediate priority intervention?

A.Check the safety data sheet (SDS) for the chemical

B.Begin eye irrigation with water or saline for at least 15-20 minutes

C.Transport the employee to the emergency department immediately

D.Document the incident in the OSHA log

Explanation: For chemical eye exposures, immediate and copious irrigation is critical to minimize tissue damage. The eye should be flushed with water or saline for at least 15-20 minutes before any other interventions. Delaying irrigation to check paperwork or arrange transport can result in permanent vision damage.

About the COHN Exam

The COHN certification validates expertise in occupational health nursing across three domains: Clinical Practice and Case Management (45%), Risk and Compliance (32%), and Program Management and Quality Assurance (30%). It demonstrates competency in caring for workers, preventing workplace injuries, and managing occupational health programs.

Questions

160 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

Scaled score (varies by administration)

Exam Fee

$360 (ABOHN (American Board for Occupational Health Nurses) / PSI)

COHN Exam Content Outline

45%

Clinical Practice and Case Management

Work-related injuries and illnesses, health assessments, fitness-for-duty evaluations, case management, FMLA/STD/LTD, workers compensation, return-to-work coordination, and disability management

32%

Risk and Compliance

Risk assessment, hazard identification, ergonomics, hierarchy of controls, industrial hygiene, OSHA standards, safety programs, emergency preparedness, disaster planning, and regulatory compliance

30%

Program Management and Quality Assurance

Health promotion and wellness programs, EAP coordination, infection control, occupational health surveillance, quality improvement, program development, budget management, and interdisciplinary collaboration

How to Pass the COHN Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Scaled score (varies by administration)
Exam length: 160 questions
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam fee: $360

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

COHN Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus on workplace injury management protocols - understand initial assessment, treatment, and return-to-work coordination

2Master OSHA standards and recordkeeping requirements including the OSHA 300 Log and workplace injury documentation

3Study the hierarchy of controls and ergonomics principles for preventing musculoskeletal disorders

4Review case management principles including FMLA, workers compensation, and disability management processes

5Understand occupational health program components: surveillance, health promotion, and quality improvement initiatives

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the COHN exam?

The ABOHN COHN exam contains 160 total items: 135 scored questions and 25 unscored pretest questions.

How long is the COHN exam?

ABOHN provides 3 hours for the COHN certification examination.

What score is needed to pass COHN?

ABOHN uses scaled scoring for the COHN exam. The passing standard is set by ABOHN and may vary slightly by administration. Candidates receive a preliminary pass/fail result at the test center.

What are the COHN eligibility requirements?

To sit for the COHN exam, you must hold a current, unrestricted RN license in the US or Canada, and have at least 3,000 hours of occupational health nursing practice within the previous 5 years.

How much does COHN certification cost?

The ABOHN COHN exam fee is currently $360. This fee is subject to change; check the ABOHN website for current pricing.

How do I maintain my COHN certification?

COHN certification is valid for 5 years. Recertification requires either passing the exam again or completing continuing education and professional development activities as specified by ABOHN's recertification program.

What is the difference between COHN and COHN-S?

COHN is the base certification requiring an RN license and occupational health experience. COHN-S requires additional education (bachelor's or higher) and demonstrates advanced competency in occupational health nursing management and leadership.