Ergonomics for Healthcare Workers Study Guide (pdf format)
1.
True
False
Cumulative trauma disorders can often be directly related to the ergonomic hazards of our job.
2.
Ergonomic hazards you face most often in healthcare include needlesticks and exposure to infection.
3.
Risks associated with lifting and transferring patients include strains and injuries from awkward postures, excessive force and repetitive motions.
4.
The greatest ergonomic risk to healthcare workers is back injury.
5.
In healthcare, the workers at greatest risk for back injury are those who do building maintenance and repair.
6.
Proper body posture is important for back safety since it puts the vertebrae and surrounding muscles in the best position to do work safely.
7.
Your body can sustain heavy workloads if lifting is done safely.
8.
If you lift a person weighing 50 pounds at arm’s length, the force of that person’s weight on your back equals 500 pounds.
9.
Lifting and transferring of patients puts you at about the same risk of injury as lifting and moving a heavy box.
10.
Use of patient transferring devices can greatly lower back stress and reduce injury.
11.
Keeping your body fit can help prevent heart disease, but it doesn’t really help to prevent back injury.
12.
Cluttered patient rooms and unpredictable patient movement greatly increase your risk of back injury during lifts or transfers of patients.
13.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, a common cumulative trauma disorder of the wrist, is not often seen among nursing personnel.
14.
Wrist flexion or over-extension and repetitive finger motion can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
15.
Sitting at your desk is more restful to your back than standing.
16.
To be ergonomically safe, your work surface should be positioned slightly above waist level.
17.
To protect your eyes, always have good lighting—you can never have too much light.
18.
You can reduce strain to your back if you have to stand a lot by elevating one foot on a stool.
19.
Organizing your workstation to reduce overreaching up, down or across can protect you from musculoskeletal injuries.
20.
It is your responsibility to evaluate your job for hazards and correct them when possible.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TRAINING
I have read and understand the training guidelines for Ergonomics for Healthcare Workers.
