Question 1

What is the minimum recommended air space per worker to prevent overcrowding and ensure adequate ventilation?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The amendment sets a minimum of about 14.2 m³ of air space per worker, which is approximately 500 cubic feet, to prevent overcrowding and ensure adequate ventilation.

Question 2

Which of the following should a nurse include when teaching proper body mechanics to prevent injury?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Keeping the load close to the body's center of gravity reduces torque and back strain, preventing musculoskeletal injury. Bending at the waist increases the risk; when moving clients, raise the bed to working height rather than lowering it.

Question 3

What is the recommended maximum level of noise for a human being?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Prolonged exposure above about 85 dB increases risk for noise-induced hearing loss; many safety guidelines set 85 dB as the recommended maximum for continuous exposure.

Question 4

What is the most common occupational hazard for computer workers?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Computer work involves repetitive wrist motions and poor ergonomics, leading to median nerve compression; carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common related occupational injury.

Question 5

Which action BEST reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injury when repositioning a dependent adult client in bed?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Proper bed height minimizes bending, and friction-reducing devices decrease the force required to move a client. Together, these strategies significantly lower the risk of back and shoulder injuries.

Question 6

A nurse reports persistent wrist and forearm pain after multiple shifts administering IV medications using a computer-on-wheels. Which factor MOST likely contributed to this injury?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Improper workstation height can force repetitive wrist flexion and extension, leading to overuse injuries. Ergonomic adjustment of screen and scanner height reduces strain on the wrists and forearms.

Question 7

During a safety audit, which nurse behavior indicates CORRECT application of ergonomic principles?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Storing commonly used items within the power zone (between waist and shoulder height) reduces excessive reaching and strain. Bending at the waist, overhead reaching, and carrying loads away from the body increase injury risk.

Question 8

While transferring a client from bed to wheelchair, which observation by the charge nurse indicates the HIGHEST risk for ergonomic injury?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Bending at the waist places excessive strain on the lumbar spine and significantly increases injury risk. Proper ergonomics require bending at the knees and hips while maintaining a neutral spine.

Question 9

A nurse frequently experiences neck stiffness after completing documentation at the nurses’ station. Which adjustment would BEST reduce this strain?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Monitors positioned too high, low, or off-center force sustained neck flexion or rotation. Aligning the screen at eye level directly ahead promotes neutral neck posture and reduces muscle strain.

Question 10

During transport of a heavy portable monitor, which technique BEST demonstrates correct ergonomic practice?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Holding objects close to the body reduces leverage forces on the spine and shoulders. Carrying loads away from the body or asymmetrically increases strain and injury risk.

Question 11

A nurse is transferring a heavy patient from bed to wheelchair. What is the safest action?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Using assistive equipment and adequate help reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injury to the nurse and decreases the chance of patient falls during transfer. Proper body mechanics emphasize a stable base of support and avoiding excessive trunk flexion or straight-leg lifting, which increase back strain. A heavy transfer is a high-risk task, so additional staff and a gait belt (or other transfer device when appropriate) promote controlled movement and patient safety.

Question 12

Which of the following actions should the nurse take to use a wide base support when assisting a client to get up in a chair?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: C. Spread his or her feet apart A wider base of support increases stability and balance during transfers, reducing the risk of falls for the client and injury to the nurse. Proper body mechanics emphasize keeping feet apart with one foot slightly forward, bending at the knees/hips (not the waist), and using leg muscles to assist with movement. Bending at the waist and lifting with the back increases strain and injury risk. Tightening pelvic muscles alone does not create the stable stance needed for safe client transfers.

Question 13

Which action demonstrates proper body mechanics when lifting an object?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Squatting uses the strong muscles of the legs and minimizes flexion and shear forces on the lumbar spine, reducing risk of back strain. Keeping the back in a neutral, straight alignment and lifting with the legs promotes spinal stability and safer load transfer. Holding the object close to the body further reduces torque on the spine, while bending at the waist or keeping legs straight increases lumbar stress and injury risk.

Question 14

When the occupational health nurse employs ergonomic principles, she is performing which of her roles?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: D. Environmental manager Ergonomic principles focus on modifying the work environment, tools, and job design to fit the worker and reduce injury risk (e.g., musculoskeletal strain). In occupational health nursing, this aligns with managing environmental hazards and promoting safe workplace conditions through engineering and administrative controls. The other roles (provider, educator, coordinator) may support ergonomics but are not the primary role targeted when applying workplace-design and hazard-reduction principles.

Question 15

While lifting a patient a nurse bend on her?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Flexing at the hips and knees allows the nurse to lower the center of gravity and use stronger lower-extremity muscles rather than the back. Keeping the back as straight as possible while bending at the hips/knees also improves stability and balance during the lift. Options that include bending the back or only the back increase shear forces on the lumbar discs and are a common cause of work-related injury.

Question 16

A nurse is assisting a client with shampooing his hair while he is still in bed. While helping the client, the nurse raises the bed to approximately the level of her waist. What is the rationale for this action?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Raising the bed to waist height reduces trunk flexion and the need to bend at the waist, lowering stress on the lumbar spine during repetitive care tasks like shampooing. This also improves control and stability while working, decreasing the risk of sudden strain from awkward reaching. The other options relate to protecting the client from water exposure or hair tangling, which are addressed by draping, positioning, and technique rather than bed height.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of client handling equipment?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: An adjustable bed supports safe repositioning and transfers by allowing the working surface to be raised or lowered to proper body mechanics. This directly aligns with ergonomic principles and safe patient handling practices. In contrast, items like a call light promote safety/communication but do not physically assist with client movement or handling. Choosing handling equipment appropriately reduces fall risk and caregiver injury during mobility-related care.

Question 18

The physician orders a urinary catheter for the client stat. After gathering supplies, the nurse should take which action first?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Safe patient care starts with maintaining nurse and patient safety by using proper body mechanics and an ergonomic working height before initiating a procedure. Raising the bed to a workable level reduces bending/twisting, lowers risk of musculoskeletal injury, and improves control of sterile technique during catheter insertion. Lowering the bed is an important safety step, but it is typically done after completing care and before leaving the bedside, not before beginning the procedure. Putting supplies on the bed risks contamination and does not address immediate safety for procedure performance.

Question 19

Pressure is being exerted to the client's foot ulcer from the bottom bed guard, and the client needs to be pulled up in bed. The client weighs 130 lb. Which action by the nurse is best when no one is available to assist the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: A friction-reducing device (slip sheet) plus slight Trendelenburg uses gravity and decreases the force required to move the client, while having the client lift the heels reduces drag across the sheets and helps protect the ulcerated area. This approach corrects the immediate pressure problem and achieves the needed repositioning without requiring a second staff member. Waiting for help or only padding the bed guard delays relieving pressure and does not address the need to move the client up in bed.

Question 20

A nurse is preparing to ambulate a client using a walker. The client reports shoulder pain with movement, has mild leg weakness, and requires frequent rest breaks. Which action by the nurse best reflects the use of ergonomic principles?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Ergonomic principles aim to minimize musculoskeletal strain while maintaining safe mobility and efficient movement. A front-wheeled walker decreases the need to repeatedly lift the device, reducing shoulder load and energy expenditure, which is especially important with shoulder pain and limited endurance. This also supports smoother gait progression for a client with mild leg weakness by reducing start-stop effort. In contrast, requiring lifting of the walker increases upper-extremity demand and can worsen shoulder pain and fatigue.

Question 21

A nurse is preparing to reposition a patient in bed. At what height should the nurse position the bed?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Raising the bed to about waist level reduces bending at the waist, decreases shear forces on the nurse’s back and shoulders, and improves leverage for turning and repositioning. This positioning also supports use of leg muscles and a wide base of support rather than relying on the lumbar spine. Setting the bed too low (e.g., knee level) forces sustained forward flexion and increases risk of musculoskeletal injury during the maneuver.

Question 22

When a nurse is assisting a patient in getting up from a chair, which of the following actions should be taken to establish a wide base of support?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Safe body mechanics reduce fall risk and caregiver injury by optimizing stability and keeping the center of gravity over the base of support. Placing the feet shoulder-width apart (often with one foot slightly in front) creates a wider base, improving balance during the transfer from sitting to standing. This also allows controlled weight shifting and better use of leg muscles rather than the back. Option A promotes bending at the waist, which increases lumbar strain and is unsafe despite involving close contact. Option D is incomplete and does not specifically address the action that creates a wide base of support.

Question 23

Ergonomic principles are most closely associated with?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Ergonomics focuses on using body mechanics and positioning that reduce musculoskeletal strain and prevent injury during tasks such as lifting, transferring, and prolonged standing. Maintaining neutral spine posture, a wide base of support, and proper alignment are core ergonomic principles that optimize leverage and minimize stress on joints and back. This directly aligns with maintaining normal bodily alignment. Infection-control options relate to asepsis and transmission precautions, which are a separate safety domain.

Question 24

All of the following are correct principles except ?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Bringing elbows in and keeping objects near the center of gravity improves stability and decreases risk of musculoskeletal injury during lifting and transfers. Smooth, coordinated movements and lifting with the legs are standard principles to minimize shear forces and protect the spine. Seeking additional help is also a key safety measure to prevent staff injury and patient falls when the load exceeds safe handling limits.

Question 25

The nurse is caring for a client who weighs 450 lb (204.1 kg) 2 days after bariatric surgery. The client is pleasant, cooperative, and able to fully bear weight. What would be the most appropriate method for transferring this client safely?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Because this client can fully bear weight and is cooperative, a standing-assist mechanical lift provides controlled support during standing/pivoting while minimizing manual handling forces. A 1-person standby with a walker is unsafe given the extreme body weight and recent postoperative status, which increases fall and staff-injury risk if instability occurs. Full-body sling lifts are typically reserved for clients who cannot bear weight; adding more personnel does not replace the need for the appropriate lift type for a weight-bearing transfer.

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