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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM
250 Practice Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: CLINICAL PRACTICE & CASE MANAGEMENT (Questions 1-50)
1. An occupational health nurse is conducting a post-offer employment physical for a
new hire. Which of the following is the primary purpose of this assessment?
A. To establish a baseline for future comparison and ensure the employee can perform
essential job functions
B. To diagnose any pre-existing medical conditions
C. To provide treatment for work-related injuries
D. To evaluate the employee's family medical history
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The primary purpose of a post-offer employment physical is to establish a
baseline health status for future comparison and to ensure the employee can safely perform
essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is not intended to
diagnose conditions (B) or provide treatment (C). Family history (D) is part of the assessment
but not the primary purpose.
2. An occupational health nurse is managing a worker's compensation case. The
employee has been out of work for 6 weeks following a back injury. Which of the
following is the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Encourage the employee to return to work with restrictions
B. Discourage the employee from returning to work until fully healed
C. Recommend permanent disability status
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D. Ignore the case until the employee requests services
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Early return to work with appropriate restrictions is a key component of case
management and has been shown to improve outcomes, reduce disability, and decrease
workers' compensation costs. Encouraging prolonged absence (B) can lead to deconditioning
and delayed recovery. Permanent disability (C) should only be considered after maximum
medical improvement. Ignoring the case (D) is negligent.
3. A nurse is assessing a worker who reports symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Which of the following is a classic symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome?
A. Numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers
B. Pain in the shoulder and neck
C. Weakness in the entire arm
D. Numbness in the ring and little fingers
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Carpal tunnel syndrome typically presents with numbness, tingling, and pain in
the distribution of the median nerve: the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and radial half of
the ring finger. Shoulder and neck pain (B) may indicate a cervical spine issue. Weakness in
the entire arm (C) is not typical. Numbness in the ring and little fingers (D) is characteristic
of ulnar nerve entrapment.
4. An occupational health nurse is conducting a hearing conservation program. Which
of the following is the minimum decibel level at which hearing protection is
recommended?
A. 70 dB
B. 80 dB
C. 85 dB
D. 95 dB
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: OSHA requires hearing conservation programs when employees are exposed to
noise levels of 85 dB or greater over an 8-hour time-weighted average. Hearing protection is
recommended at this level to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
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5. A worker presents to the occupational health clinic with a chemical splash to the eye.
Which of the following is the priority nursing action?
A. Assess visual acuity
B. Irrigate the eye with water or normal saline for at least 15 minutes
C. Apply a patch to the affected eye
D. Administer pain medication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority action for a chemical splash to the eye is immediate and copious
irrigation with water or normal saline for at least 15 minutes to dilute and remove the
chemical. Assessing visual acuity (A) can be done after irrigation. Applying a patch (C)
before irrigation can trap the chemical. Pain medication (D) is not the priority.
6. An occupational health nurse is developing a bloodborne pathogens exposure control
plan. Which of the following is required by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?
A. Provide hepatitis B vaccination to all employees at no cost
B. Use universal precautions with all patients
C. Maintain a sharps injury log
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires employers to provide hepatitis
B vaccination at no cost to employees with occupational exposure (A), use universal
precautions (B), and maintain a sharps injury log (C). All of these are required components of
an exposure control plan.
7. A nurse is conducting a workplace walk-through survey. Which of the following is the
primary purpose of this activity?
A. To identify potential health and safety hazards
B. To interview employees about their health concerns
C. To review the company's safety policies
D. To evaluate the effectiveness of the wellness program
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A workplace walk-through survey is used to identify potential health and safety
hazards by observing work processes, equipment, and environmental conditions. While
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interviewing employees (B) and reviewing policies (C) are part of a comprehensive
assessment, the walk-through focuses on direct observation of hazards.
8. An employee reports being exposed to a bloodborne pathogen through a needlestick
injury. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial nursing action?
A. Test the source patient for HIV and hepatitis
B. Immediately wash the site with soap and water
C. Report the incident to OSHA
D. Counsel the employee about the low risk of transmission
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The immediate priority after a needlestick injury is first aid: wash the site with
soap and water (and flush mucous membranes with water). Testing the source patient (A) is
important but not the immediate priority. Reporting to OSHA (C) may be required but is not
the initial action. Counseling about risk (D) is important but secondary to immediate first aid.
9. An occupational health nurse is evaluating a worker with suspected occupational
asthma. Which of the following is the most common cause of occupational asthma?
A. Isocyanates
B. Latex
C. Cotton dust
D. Wood dust
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Isocyanates are the most common cause of occupational asthma. They are used in
the production of polyurethane foams, paints, and adhesives. Latex (B) is a cause of
occupational asthma but less common than isocyanates. Cotton dust (C) causes byssinosis
(brown lung disease). Wood dust (D) is a cause of occupational asthma but less common.
10. A nurse is providing education to a worker about the proper use of a respirator.
Which of the following is a requirement for the use of a tight-fitting respirator?
A. The worker must be clean-shaven
B. The worker must have a medical evaluation
C. The worker must be fit-tested annually
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM
250 Practice Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: CLINICAL PRACTICE & CASE MANAGEMENT (Questions 1-50)
1. An occupational health nurse is conducting a post-offer employment physical for a
new hire. Which of the following is the primary purpose of this assessment?
A. To establish a baseline for future comparison and ensure the employee can perform
essential job functions
B. To diagnose any pre-existing medical conditions
C. To provide treatment for work-related injuries
D. To evaluate the employee's family medical history
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The primary purpose of a post-offer employment physical is to establish a
baseline health status for future comparison and to ensure the employee can safely perform
essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is not intended to
diagnose conditions (B) or provide treatment (C). Family history (D) is part of the assessment
but not the primary purpose.
2. An occupational health nurse is managing a worker's compensation case. The
employee has been out of work for 6 weeks following a back injury. Which of the
following is the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Encourage the employee to return to work with restrictions
B. Discourage the employee from returning to work until fully healed
C. Recommend permanent disability status
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D. Ignore the case until the employee requests services
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Early return to work with appropriate restrictions is a key component of case
management and has been shown to improve outcomes, reduce disability, and decrease
workers' compensation costs. Encouraging prolonged absence (B) can lead to deconditioning
and delayed recovery. Permanent disability (C) should only be considered after maximum
medical improvement. Ignoring the case (D) is negligent.
3. A nurse is assessing a worker who reports symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Which of the following is a classic symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome?
A. Numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers
B. Pain in the shoulder and neck
C. Weakness in the entire arm
D. Numbness in the ring and little fingers
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Carpal tunnel syndrome typically presents with numbness, tingling, and pain in
the distribution of the median nerve: the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and radial half of
the ring finger. Shoulder and neck pain (B) may indicate a cervical spine issue. Weakness in
the entire arm (C) is not typical. Numbness in the ring and little fingers (D) is characteristic
of ulnar nerve entrapment.
4. An occupational health nurse is conducting a hearing conservation program. Which
of the following is the minimum decibel level at which hearing protection is
recommended?
A. 70 dB
B. 80 dB
C. 85 dB
D. 95 dB
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: OSHA requires hearing conservation programs when employees are exposed to
noise levels of 85 dB or greater over an 8-hour time-weighted average. Hearing protection is
recommended at this level to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
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5. A worker presents to the occupational health clinic with a chemical splash to the eye.
Which of the following is the priority nursing action?
A. Assess visual acuity
B. Irrigate the eye with water or normal saline for at least 15 minutes
C. Apply a patch to the affected eye
D. Administer pain medication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority action for a chemical splash to the eye is immediate and copious
irrigation with water or normal saline for at least 15 minutes to dilute and remove the
chemical. Assessing visual acuity (A) can be done after irrigation. Applying a patch (C)
before irrigation can trap the chemical. Pain medication (D) is not the priority.
6. An occupational health nurse is developing a bloodborne pathogens exposure control
plan. Which of the following is required by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?
A. Provide hepatitis B vaccination to all employees at no cost
B. Use universal precautions with all patients
C. Maintain a sharps injury log
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires employers to provide hepatitis
B vaccination at no cost to employees with occupational exposure (A), use universal
precautions (B), and maintain a sharps injury log (C). All of these are required components of
an exposure control plan.
7. A nurse is conducting a workplace walk-through survey. Which of the following is the
primary purpose of this activity?
A. To identify potential health and safety hazards
B. To interview employees about their health concerns
C. To review the company's safety policies
D. To evaluate the effectiveness of the wellness program
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A workplace walk-through survey is used to identify potential health and safety
hazards by observing work processes, equipment, and environmental conditions. While
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interviewing employees (B) and reviewing policies (C) are part of a comprehensive
assessment, the walk-through focuses on direct observation of hazards.
8. An employee reports being exposed to a bloodborne pathogen through a needlestick
injury. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial nursing action?
A. Test the source patient for HIV and hepatitis
B. Immediately wash the site with soap and water
C. Report the incident to OSHA
D. Counsel the employee about the low risk of transmission
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The immediate priority after a needlestick injury is first aid: wash the site with
soap and water (and flush mucous membranes with water). Testing the source patient (A) is
important but not the immediate priority. Reporting to OSHA (C) may be required but is not
the initial action. Counseling about risk (D) is important but secondary to immediate first aid.
9. An occupational health nurse is evaluating a worker with suspected occupational
asthma. Which of the following is the most common cause of occupational asthma?
A. Isocyanates
B. Latex
C. Cotton dust
D. Wood dust
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Isocyanates are the most common cause of occupational asthma. They are used in
the production of polyurethane foams, paints, and adhesives. Latex (B) is a cause of
occupational asthma but less common than isocyanates. Cotton dust (C) causes byssinosis
(brown lung disease). Wood dust (D) is a cause of occupational asthma but less common.
10. A nurse is providing education to a worker about the proper use of a respirator.
Which of the following is a requirement for the use of a tight-fitting respirator?
A. The worker must be clean-shaven
B. The worker must have a medical evaluation
C. The worker must be fit-tested annually
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
