COHN-S Certification Exam Prep – Comprehensive
Study Guide
COHN-S Certification Exam Prep: 100 Q&A
Domain 1: Clinical Practice & Primary Care
1. What is the primary purpose of conducting an initial health assessment for a new
employee?
A) To diagnose chronic conditions
B) To establish a baseline of health status for future comparison ✓
C) To determine if the employee is eligible for health insurance
D) To provide a comprehensive physical therapy evaluation
2. When performing audiometric testing, a Standard Threshold Shift (STS) is defined as a
change in hearing threshold of an average of:
A) 5 dB at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz
B) 10 dB at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz ✓
C) 15 dB at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz
D) 20 dB at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz
3. A worker presents with acute dermatitis on their hands. The FIRST step the OHN should
take is:
A) Recommend a steroid cream
B) Complete an incident report
C) Refer the worker to a dermatologist
D) Take a thorough exposure history ✓
4. The "Fatal Four" in the construction industry, as identified by OSHA, include all EXCEPT:
A) Falls
B) Struck-by object
C) Electrocution
D) Machinery entanglement ✓
5. The most reliable indicator of a worker's dehydration status in a hot environment is:
A) Self-reported thirst
B) Color and volume of urine ✓
C) Skin turgor
D) Heart rate
,6. A pre-placement evaluation is legally permissible only if it is:
A) Required for all applicants for the same job category ✓
B) Based on the applicant's age
C) Used to screen out individuals with high health risks
D) Performed after a conditional job offer
7. Which of the following is a symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome?
A) Paresthesia in the thumb, index, and middle fingers ✓
B) Weakness in the shoulder girdle
C) Pain in the lateral epicondyle
D) Loss of grip strength exclusively
8. The primary goal of a medical surveillance program is to:
A) Diagnose occupational illnesses
B) Ensure employees are fit for duty
C) Detect adverse health effects at an early and reversible stage ✓
D) Reduce workers' compensation costs
9. When a worker has a needlestick injury, the OHN should immediately:
A) Administer post-exposure prophylaxis
B) Test the source patient for bloodborne pathogens ✓
C) Counsel the employee on confidentiality
D) File a workers' compensation claim
10. Spirometry testing is used to assess for which type of occupational illness?
A) Noise-induced hearing loss
B) Contact dermatitis
C) Work-related asthma ✓
D) Lead poisoning
Domain 2: Workplace Hazards & Exposure Monitoring
11. A Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is established by:
A) NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
B) OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) ✓
C) ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists)
D) EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
,12. The recommended exposure limit for noise over an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA)
is:
A) 85 dBA ✓
B) 90 dBA
C) 100 dBA
D) 140 dBA
13. A chemical with an odor threshold below its PEL is considered dangerous because:
A) It cannot be detected by smell at hazardous levels. ✓
B) It is highly corrosive.
C) It has a low vapor pressure.
D) It requires no personal protective equipment.
14. The primary route of entry for lead in most industrial exposures is:
A) Inhalation ✓
B) Ingestion
C) Dermal absorption
D) Injection
15. An "Action Level" is defined as:
A) The level at which OSHA will issue a citation
B) Half the PEL, triggering requirements like monitoring and medical surveillance ✓
C) The level that is immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)
D) The same as the TLV-TWA
16. Which instrument is used to measure real-time exposure to dust or aerosols?
A) Sorbent tube
B) Passive dosimeter
C) Direct-reading aerosol monitor ✓
D) Noise dosimeter
17. Ergonomics is the science of:
A) Designing the workplace to fit the worker ✓
B) Promoting workplace efficiency only
C) Managing workplace stress
D) Enforcing safety rules
18. A worker is exposed to a chemical that is a known human carcinogen. The OHN should
prioritize which type of hazard control?
A) Administrative controls (e.g., job rotation)
, B) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
C) Engineering controls (e.g., ventilation) ✓
D) Worker training
19. The "Hierarchy of Controls" is most effective when applied in which order?
A) PPE, Administrative, Engineering, Elimination
B) Elimination, Substitution, Engineering, Administrative, PPE ✓
C) Administrative, Engineering, Substitution, PPE, Elimination
D) Engineering, PPE, Elimination, Administrative
20. A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) must be readily accessible to employees for:
A) All chemicals used in the workplace
B) Only hazardous chemicals ✓
C) Only chemicals purchased in large volumes
D) Only chemicals with a PEL
Domain 3: Management, Administration, & Leadership
21. The primary function of an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS)
is to:
A) Reduce insurance premiums
B) Achieve and maintain a state of continuous improvement in OH&S performance ✓
C) Ensure compliance with only OSHA regulations
D) Manage workers' compensation claims
22. What is the key purpose of a "Return-to-Work" program?
A) To transition an employee back to full-duty work immediately
B) To provide modified or transitional duty to facilitate early return ✓
C) To permanently place an employee in a less demanding job
D) To delay workers' compensation payments
23. When developing an annual budget for the health unit, the most critical first step is to:
A) Copy the previous year's budget
B) Align the budget with the organization's strategic goals and health unit objectives ✓
C) Request the maximum amount possible
D) Focus only on new equipment
24. Benchmarking in occupational health is used to:
A) Compare performance metrics with other organizations or industry standards ✓
Study Guide
COHN-S Certification Exam Prep: 100 Q&A
Domain 1: Clinical Practice & Primary Care
1. What is the primary purpose of conducting an initial health assessment for a new
employee?
A) To diagnose chronic conditions
B) To establish a baseline of health status for future comparison ✓
C) To determine if the employee is eligible for health insurance
D) To provide a comprehensive physical therapy evaluation
2. When performing audiometric testing, a Standard Threshold Shift (STS) is defined as a
change in hearing threshold of an average of:
A) 5 dB at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz
B) 10 dB at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz ✓
C) 15 dB at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz
D) 20 dB at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz
3. A worker presents with acute dermatitis on their hands. The FIRST step the OHN should
take is:
A) Recommend a steroid cream
B) Complete an incident report
C) Refer the worker to a dermatologist
D) Take a thorough exposure history ✓
4. The "Fatal Four" in the construction industry, as identified by OSHA, include all EXCEPT:
A) Falls
B) Struck-by object
C) Electrocution
D) Machinery entanglement ✓
5. The most reliable indicator of a worker's dehydration status in a hot environment is:
A) Self-reported thirst
B) Color and volume of urine ✓
C) Skin turgor
D) Heart rate
,6. A pre-placement evaluation is legally permissible only if it is:
A) Required for all applicants for the same job category ✓
B) Based on the applicant's age
C) Used to screen out individuals with high health risks
D) Performed after a conditional job offer
7. Which of the following is a symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome?
A) Paresthesia in the thumb, index, and middle fingers ✓
B) Weakness in the shoulder girdle
C) Pain in the lateral epicondyle
D) Loss of grip strength exclusively
8. The primary goal of a medical surveillance program is to:
A) Diagnose occupational illnesses
B) Ensure employees are fit for duty
C) Detect adverse health effects at an early and reversible stage ✓
D) Reduce workers' compensation costs
9. When a worker has a needlestick injury, the OHN should immediately:
A) Administer post-exposure prophylaxis
B) Test the source patient for bloodborne pathogens ✓
C) Counsel the employee on confidentiality
D) File a workers' compensation claim
10. Spirometry testing is used to assess for which type of occupational illness?
A) Noise-induced hearing loss
B) Contact dermatitis
C) Work-related asthma ✓
D) Lead poisoning
Domain 2: Workplace Hazards & Exposure Monitoring
11. A Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is established by:
A) NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
B) OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) ✓
C) ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists)
D) EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
,12. The recommended exposure limit for noise over an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA)
is:
A) 85 dBA ✓
B) 90 dBA
C) 100 dBA
D) 140 dBA
13. A chemical with an odor threshold below its PEL is considered dangerous because:
A) It cannot be detected by smell at hazardous levels. ✓
B) It is highly corrosive.
C) It has a low vapor pressure.
D) It requires no personal protective equipment.
14. The primary route of entry for lead in most industrial exposures is:
A) Inhalation ✓
B) Ingestion
C) Dermal absorption
D) Injection
15. An "Action Level" is defined as:
A) The level at which OSHA will issue a citation
B) Half the PEL, triggering requirements like monitoring and medical surveillance ✓
C) The level that is immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)
D) The same as the TLV-TWA
16. Which instrument is used to measure real-time exposure to dust or aerosols?
A) Sorbent tube
B) Passive dosimeter
C) Direct-reading aerosol monitor ✓
D) Noise dosimeter
17. Ergonomics is the science of:
A) Designing the workplace to fit the worker ✓
B) Promoting workplace efficiency only
C) Managing workplace stress
D) Enforcing safety rules
18. A worker is exposed to a chemical that is a known human carcinogen. The OHN should
prioritize which type of hazard control?
A) Administrative controls (e.g., job rotation)
, B) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
C) Engineering controls (e.g., ventilation) ✓
D) Worker training
19. The "Hierarchy of Controls" is most effective when applied in which order?
A) PPE, Administrative, Engineering, Elimination
B) Elimination, Substitution, Engineering, Administrative, PPE ✓
C) Administrative, Engineering, Substitution, PPE, Elimination
D) Engineering, PPE, Elimination, Administrative
20. A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) must be readily accessible to employees for:
A) All chemicals used in the workplace
B) Only hazardous chemicals ✓
C) Only chemicals purchased in large volumes
D) Only chemicals with a PEL
Domain 3: Management, Administration, & Leadership
21. The primary function of an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS)
is to:
A) Reduce insurance premiums
B) Achieve and maintain a state of continuous improvement in OH&S performance ✓
C) Ensure compliance with only OSHA regulations
D) Manage workers' compensation claims
22. What is the key purpose of a "Return-to-Work" program?
A) To transition an employee back to full-duty work immediately
B) To provide modified or transitional duty to facilitate early return ✓
C) To permanently place an employee in a less demanding job
D) To delay workers' compensation payments
23. When developing an annual budget for the health unit, the most critical first step is to:
A) Copy the previous year's budget
B) Align the budget with the organization's strategic goals and health unit objectives ✓
C) Request the maximum amount possible
D) Focus only on new equipment
24. Benchmarking in occupational health is used to:
A) Compare performance metrics with other organizations or industry standards ✓
