Question 1

Cathy has been experiencing severe stress on the job, including depression, frustration, and a loss of productivity. What is she most likely experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Cathy's symptoms match those of burnout, which is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to stressors, particularly in a work environment.

Question 2

Which of the following jobs is LEAST likely to result in a cumulative trauma disorder?

Accepted Answer

College teachers typically do not engage in repetitive or forceful movements or maintain awkward postures for extended periods of time, which are common risk factors for cumulative trauma disorders.

Question 3

Which category of service employees is at the highest risk of workplace violence?

Accepted Answer

Nurses are at the highest risk of workplace violence, according to research and statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is due to the nature of their work, which involves close interaction with patients who may become violent or agitated.

Question 4

An employee is showing signs of depression, including decreased energy, irritability, and hostility, in the workplace. What should the HR manager do?

Accepted Answer

The best choice is to suggest professional help for the employee. Depression is a serious issue that should not be ignored, and seeking professional help can be beneficial for the employee's well-being and work performance. It is not appropriate to diagnose the problem as an HR manager, and suspending the employee is not a solution for depression. Doing nothing is also not recommended, as the problem may worsen over time.

Question 5

Jack Spratt, the HR manager at Risky Bank Inc., has been working on a plan to prevent workplace violence. He has so far redesigned the workplace to include electronic surveillance and implemented new administrative practices, such as background checks. Which of the following would NOT be a good additional measure?

Accepted Answer

Keeping track of immigrants in the workplace is discriminatory and illegal. It is not a good additional measure for preventing workplace violence.

Question 6

Which of the following is LEAST likely to be promoted through company programs and services?

Accepted Answer

Exemption from safety inspection is not a desirable outcome and may actually be harmful to the company and its employees. Therefore, it is least likely to be promoted through company programs and services. The other options (reduced absenteeism, increased efficiency, and better morale) are all positive outcomes that companies would want to promote and encourage.

Question 7

If an employee is experiencing personal problems, who is the individual most likely to refer the worker to the company's employee assistance program?

Accepted Answer

The supervisor is typically the first point of contact for an employee who is experiencing personal problems, and is often responsible for referring them to the company's employee assistance program.

Question 8

Assume that you are a new manager at a manufacturing plant. On your first day, you are on the factory floor and notice one employee verbally abusing another; a fight was imminent. Which of the following would NOT be a wise strategy for you to follow?

Accepted Answer

Publicly asking the aggressor to back down may escalate the situation and could be seen as ineffective in handling the situation. It is better to focus on calming the situation and addressing the behavior in private, with the goal of finding a solution and preventing similar incidents from happening in the future.

Question 9

Jenny Jones has been working at the same job-typing almost all day-for the past five years. She has now damaged her wrist as a result of the work. What is her problem most likely a form of?

Accepted Answer

Cumulative trauma disorders, also known as repetitive strain injuries, are caused by repetitive motions or overuse and can result in damage to muscles, tendons, and nerves. Typing all day for five years could definitely lead to this type of injury in the wrist.

Question 10

When individuals experience harmful stress for a long enough period, they often experience physiological changes such as increased heart rate, increased respiration, and increased blood pressure. What is the name of this type of stress?

Accepted Answer

The physiological changes described in the question are part of the alarm reaction stage of the general adaptation syndrome, which is the body's response to stress. Option A (cumulative trauma disorders) refers to a specific set of injuries caused by repetitive motions or prolonged exposure to physical stress rather than psychological stress. Option C (eustress) refers to positive, beneficial stress. Option D (dysfunctional adaptation) is a general term that could refer to a variety of maladaptive responses to stress, but it does not specifically describe the physiological changes mentioned in the question.

Question 11

Improved individual employee health will have the LEAST impact on which of the following outcomes?

Accepted Answer

While improved individual employee health is important for multiple reasons, it is unlikely to have a direct impact on compensation and reward systems. It may indirectly impact compensation over time through increased efficiency and reduced absenteeism, but the link is not as direct as with other outcomes listed.

Question 12

What is the best method to capitalize on the benefits of video display terminals while safeguarding employee health?

Accepted Answer

Placing the computer screen 10 to 25 cm (4 to 9 inches) below eye level is the best method to capitalize on the benefits of video display terminals while safeguarding employee health. This position helps to reduce eye strain, neck and shoulder discomfort, and fatigue. Additionally, adjusting the brightness and contrast controls on the screen to comfortable levels also helps to reduce eye strain. Placing the computer monitor to the side of the desk or placing the computer screen 30 cm (12 inches) above eye level can lead to neck and shoulder discomfort and should be avoided.

Question 13

What program aims to help employees with nutrition, weight control, and avoidance of substances harmful to health?

Accepted Answer

The program that aims to help employees with nutrition, weight control, and avoidance of substances harmful to health is Workplace Fitness and Health Program. This program focuses on the overall well-being of employees in the workplace and includes various initiatives to improve physical activity, healthy eating habits, and prevent unhealthy behaviors.

Question 14

Managerial, technical, or public contact jobs may all experience a kind of stress that usually energizes them. What is this positive stress called?

Accepted Answer

The positive stress experienced by individuals in managerial, technical, or public contact jobs is called eustress. This type of stress can be beneficial as it can help individuals stay motivated, focused, and energized to perform their job duties effectively.

Question 15

Omar works as a supervisor with responsibility for discipline in the workplace; Cindy works as an attendant for a parking garage; Devi works as an IT programmer at a bank; and Lee works as a nurse in a hospital. Who is the least likely to be at risk for workplace violence?

Accepted Answer

Devi, as an IT programmer, is least likely to be at risk for workplace violence because her role typically involves working in a more controlled and less public-facing environment compared to the others.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a high-risk work circumstance associated with workplace violence?

Accepted Answer

While the other options - interacting with the public, dealing with the exchange of money, and working alone - are all known high-risk work circumstances associated with workplace violence, working with information technology is not typically considered a high-risk circumstance.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a common cause of workplace stress?

Accepted Answer

Empowerment is not a common cause of workplace stress. It is actually a potential solution for reducing workplace stress, as it involves delegation of decision-making and responsibility to employees, which can reduce the burden on a single individual and provide a sense of control over their work.

Question 18

An employee has been diagnosed with depression and possible mental illness. Her manager has organized professional counselling for her as part of the organizational response to her problems. This counselling is most likely a form of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The provision of professional counseling for an employee who has been diagnosed with depression and possible mental illness is most likely an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which aims to help employees with personal and work-related problems that may impact their mental and emotional health.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes drug testing in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, drug testing in the workplace only applies to illegal drugs or drugs that impair an employee's ability to perform their job safely and effectively. Legal prescription drugs are generally excluded from these tests, but they can still affect an employee's behaviour on the job. Therefore, option B is the correct option.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a cause of job-related stress?

Accepted Answer

Learning new coping skills is not a cause of job-related stress, but rather a way to manage and reduce it. The other options, having too much to do in a short time, having low control over the way the job is done, and receiving no rewards for a job well done, are all common causes of job-related stress.

Quiz 12: Safety and Health