Chapter 31: Occupational Health
Nies: Community/Public Health Nursing, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE
CHOICE
• An occupational health nurse (OHN) works in a state that requires continuing
education units per year for renewing a nursing license. Which course would probably
be most helpful in the role?
A. Diversity and Human Caring
B. Ergonomics and Toxicology
C. Evaluating Risks and Personnel Management
D. Health Assessment and Home Health Care
ANS: B
Any of the programs might be helpful, but only Ergonomics and Toxicology are
inherent in the science needed to function in occupational health. Evaluating Risks is
relevant to the job description, but many OHNs are the only professionals in the area,
so there are no personnel to manage. Health Assessment is relevant, but rarely would a
home visit be made for health care; rather a referral would be done.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
• Which best explains why job opportunities for occupational health nurses
(OHNs) have continued to expand?
A. Federal legislation has required an OHN at any site with more than 50 employees.
B. Legislation has required e
Nm pRl o y eIr s tG
o enBg.
agC
e inMcertain tasks, and nurses were the
most expert at those tasks.
C. Nurses have done an excellent job of describing the role and its benefits
to the media.
D. Nurses are able to document cost savings to employers.
ANS: D
The cost-effectiveness of providing health care to employees achieved recognition, and
by 1912, following implementation workers' compensation legislation, 38 nurses were
employed by business firms. As businesses seek ways to maximize the value of their
dollars spent on health care services, OHNs and other health professionals face an
opportunity from being able to demonstrate that cost-effective, quality health programs
do improve the health of employees and their dependents, positively influencing their
company’s attempts to control rising health care costs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
• Which led to a vast increase in the number of occupational health nurses?
, A. Increasing autonomy and salaries of nurses in that role
B. Increasing industrialization of all societies
C. Society demanding improvements in safety for all workers
D. The health of workers involved in manufacturing during World War II was crucial
ANS: D
Industrial nurses provide health care and make nursing decisions within the scope of
practice determined by state law. The focus of health care for employees changed as a
result of many factors, including the impact of the two world wars. During World War I,
the government demanded health services for workers at factories and shipyards holding
defense contracts. In 1942, during WWII, the U.S. Surgeon General told an audience of
nurses that the health
conservation of the “industrial army” was the most urgent civilian need during the war.
Not all societies have industrialized.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
• Which entity has been most active in creating change and alternative approaches in
health care
delivery?
A. Consumers
B. Corporations
C. Health care professionals
D. State legislators
ANS: B
Corporations have become driving forces in shaping the development of alternative
approaches to health care. Businesses, that is, employers, have consistently fought to
keep health care costs down and to maximize the value of their dollars spent on health
care services. Corporations have taken the most active force in health care delivery in
comparison to consumers, health care professionals, and state legislators.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remember (Knowledge)
• Which is one of the most challenging areas for the occupational health nurse (OHN)?
A. Allocating time between direct service to employees and management tasks
B. Collaborating with other worksite professionals and retaining leadership
in the arena of employee health
C. Managing ethical conflicts between responsibilities to
management and responsibilities to employees
D. Maintaining competence through attending conferences and maintaining
services when the nurse (sole provider) is absent
The OHN is a worker advocate and has the responsibility to uphold professional
standards and codes. The OHN is also responsible to management, is usually
Nies: Community/Public Health Nursing, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE
CHOICE
• An occupational health nurse (OHN) works in a state that requires continuing
education units per year for renewing a nursing license. Which course would probably
be most helpful in the role?
A. Diversity and Human Caring
B. Ergonomics and Toxicology
C. Evaluating Risks and Personnel Management
D. Health Assessment and Home Health Care
ANS: B
Any of the programs might be helpful, but only Ergonomics and Toxicology are
inherent in the science needed to function in occupational health. Evaluating Risks is
relevant to the job description, but many OHNs are the only professionals in the area,
so there are no personnel to manage. Health Assessment is relevant, but rarely would a
home visit be made for health care; rather a referral would be done.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
• Which best explains why job opportunities for occupational health nurses
(OHNs) have continued to expand?
A. Federal legislation has required an OHN at any site with more than 50 employees.
B. Legislation has required e
Nm pRl o y eIr s tG
o enBg.
agC
e inMcertain tasks, and nurses were the
most expert at those tasks.
C. Nurses have done an excellent job of describing the role and its benefits
to the media.
D. Nurses are able to document cost savings to employers.
ANS: D
The cost-effectiveness of providing health care to employees achieved recognition, and
by 1912, following implementation workers' compensation legislation, 38 nurses were
employed by business firms. As businesses seek ways to maximize the value of their
dollars spent on health care services, OHNs and other health professionals face an
opportunity from being able to demonstrate that cost-effective, quality health programs
do improve the health of employees and their dependents, positively influencing their
company’s attempts to control rising health care costs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
• Which led to a vast increase in the number of occupational health nurses?
, A. Increasing autonomy and salaries of nurses in that role
B. Increasing industrialization of all societies
C. Society demanding improvements in safety for all workers
D. The health of workers involved in manufacturing during World War II was crucial
ANS: D
Industrial nurses provide health care and make nursing decisions within the scope of
practice determined by state law. The focus of health care for employees changed as a
result of many factors, including the impact of the two world wars. During World War I,
the government demanded health services for workers at factories and shipyards holding
defense contracts. In 1942, during WWII, the U.S. Surgeon General told an audience of
nurses that the health
conservation of the “industrial army” was the most urgent civilian need during the war.
Not all societies have industrialized.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
• Which entity has been most active in creating change and alternative approaches in
health care
delivery?
A. Consumers
B. Corporations
C. Health care professionals
D. State legislators
ANS: B
Corporations have become driving forces in shaping the development of alternative
approaches to health care. Businesses, that is, employers, have consistently fought to
keep health care costs down and to maximize the value of their dollars spent on health
care services. Corporations have taken the most active force in health care delivery in
comparison to consumers, health care professionals, and state legislators.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remember (Knowledge)
• Which is one of the most challenging areas for the occupational health nurse (OHN)?
A. Allocating time between direct service to employees and management tasks
B. Collaborating with other worksite professionals and retaining leadership
in the arena of employee health
C. Managing ethical conflicts between responsibilities to
management and responsibilities to employees
D. Maintaining competence through attending conferences and maintaining
services when the nurse (sole provider) is absent
The OHN is a worker advocate and has the responsibility to uphold professional
standards and codes. The OHN is also responsible to management, is usually
