COHN(C) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

OSHA General Duty Clause

Employers must provide a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm, even if no specific standard applies.

Standard Threshold Shift

A hearing level change of 10 dB or more averaged at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear, triggering follow-up per OSHA noise standard.

Hierarchy of Controls

Ranking of hazard controls from most to least effective: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment.

Case Management Process

Systematic steps including assessment, planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation to achieve quality and cost-effective outcomes for injured workers.

Workers' Compensation

No-fault insurance system that provides medical benefits and wage replacement to workers injured on the job, regardless of fault.

Reasonable Accommodation

Under the ADA, an employer must modify the job or work environment to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform essential functions, unless undue hardship.

Confidentiality in Occupational Health

The ethical and legal duty to protect workers' health information from unauthorized disclosure, keeping medical records separate from personnel files.

Pre-placement Assessment

Baseline health evaluation before job placement to determine fitness for duty, identify pre-existing conditions, and establish a health record.

Biological Monitoring

Measurement of a substance or its metabolite in blood, urine, or breath to assess internal dose and early health effects from occupational exposure.

Spirometry

Pulmonary function test that measures lung volumes and airflow; used in surveillance for respiratory hazards and to detect obstructive or restrictive patterns.

Health Promotion Program

Planned interventions that help workers adopt healthy behaviors, often including screening, education, and environmental support to improve well-being and productivity.

Transtheoretical Model

Behavior change framework describing stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination; used to tailor interventions.

Job Hazard Analysis

Systematic process of identifying hazards associated with each step of a job and recommending controls to reduce risk of injury or illness.

Personal Protective Equipment

Devices worn by workers to protect against hazards, such as gloves, respirators, and hearing protection; considered the last line of defense.

OSHA Recordkeeping

Requirement to record work-related injuries and illnesses that meet specific criteria on OSHA 300 log, 301 incident report, and 300A annual summary.

FMLA

Family and Medical Leave Act: eligible employees may take up to 12 weeks unpaid leave for serious health condition or family care, with job protection.

HIPAA Privacy Rule

Federal regulation protecting individually identifiable health information; requires safeguards, minimum necessary use, and authorization for most disclosures.

Functional Capacity Evaluation

Objective assessment of a worker's physical abilities compared to job demands; used to determine work restrictions and readiness for return to work.

Transitional Duty

Modified or alternative work assignments that accommodate a worker's restrictions during recovery, facilitating early return to work and reducing disability duration.

Emergency Action Plan

Written plan outlining procedures for evacuation, shelter-in-place, and communication during emergencies; required by OSHA for certain workplaces.

Triage

Process of prioritizing patients based on severity of condition to allocate resources efficiently during emergencies or mass casualty incidents.

Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

OSHA regulation (29 CFR 1910.1030) requiring exposure control plan, universal precautions, training, and post-exposure prophylaxis for at-risk workers.

PDSA Cycle

Plan-Do-Study-Act: iterative quality improvement method for testing changes on a small scale before widespread implementation.

SMART Objectives

Goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound; used in program planning and evaluation.

Return on Investment

Financial metric comparing program benefits (e.g., reduced absenteeism, claims) to costs; used to justify occupational health programs.

Primary Obligation

In occupational health nursing, the nurse's primary commitment is to the health and safety of the worker, even when conflicts with employer interests arise.

Advocacy

Ethical duty of the OHN to protect workers' rights, ensure access to care, and speak up for health and safety without fear of retaliation.

Adult Learning Principles

Approach to education recognizing adults as self-directed, experience-rich learners who need relevant, problem-centered content and immediate application.

Exposure Assessment

Process of measuring or estimating worker exposure to hazards through air sampling, dosimetry, or other methods, compared to occupational exposure limits.

Incident Command System

Standardized, on-scene emergency management framework with clear roles and chain of command, used to coordinate response to disasters.

Root Cause Analysis

Structured method to identify underlying causes of an adverse event or near miss, leading to system changes that prevent recurrence.

Workers' Compensation Claim

Formal request for benefits filed by an injured worker; OHN assists with documentation, coordination of care, and return-to-work planning.