Chapter 3: Ergonomics: Avoiding Work-Related Injury

Question 1

When body parts are positioned away from their neutral position. The postures can put stress on the joints and their associated muscles. The further from neutral, and the longer the duration, the greater the potential risk

Answer 1

awkward postures

Question 2

sustained contact between a body part and an external object

Answer 2

contact stress

Question 3

The period of time that a body part is exposed to an ergonomic risk factor. `

Answer 3

duration

Question 4

The exertion of physical effort applied by a body part to perform a task.

Answer 4

force

Question 5

The force exerted by an object

Answer 5

load/loading

Question 6

the force exerted by the muscle on an object

Answer 6

muscle tension

Question 7

Repeated motions, often including other ergonomic risk factors and/or awkward posture.

Answer 7

repetition

Question 8

A body part held in a single position over a long period of time.

Answer 8

static postures

Question 9

caused by:
repetitive wrist motions, repetitive shoulder motions, sustained hyperextension of arms, prolonged load on shoulders

symptoms:
pain, weakness, swelling, burning sensation, dull ache over affected area

Answer 9

tendonitis/tenosynovitis

Question 10

tendonitis of the medial or lateral elbow tendons

Answer 10

epicondylitis

Question 11

caused by:
repeated or forceful rotation of the forearm and bending of the wrist at the same time

symptoms: pain, weakness, swelling, burning sensation, dull ache over affected area

Answer 11

epicondylitis

Question 12

caused by:
repetitive wrist motions

symptoms: pain, numbness, tingling, burning sensations, wasting of muscles at base of thumb, dry palm

Answer 12

carpal tunnel syndrome

Question 13

caused by:
repetitive hand twisting and forceful gripping

symptoms: pain at base of thumb

Answer 13

deQuervian disease

Question 14

caused by:
prolonged shoulder flexion, extending arms abover shoulder height, carrying loads on shoulder

symptoms:
pain, numbness, swelling of the hands

Answer 14

thoracic outlet syndrome

Question 15

caused by:
prolong restricted posture

symptoms:
pain

Answer 15

Tension Neck Syndrome

Question 16

aching and tiredness of the affected limb occurs during the work shift but disappear at night and during days off work. No reduction of work performances.

Answer 16

early stage WRMSDs

Question 17

aching and tiredness occur early in work shift and persist at night. Reduced capacity for repetitive work.

Answer 17

intermediate stage WRMSDs

Question 18

aching, fatigue, and weakness persist at rest. Inability to sleep and to perform light duties.

Answer 18

late stage WRMSDs

Question 19

painful conditions that are caused by or aggravated by workplace activities

Answer 19

work-related musculoskeletal disorders

Question 20

lack of influence or control over one’s job
increased demands
lark of or poor communication
monotonous tasks
perception of low support

Answer 20

psychosocial risk factors

Question 21

result of accumulation of microtrauma from prolonged periods of exposure to risk factors

Answer 21

WRMSDs

Question 22

utilizes chemical energy from metabolized carbohydrates and produces lactic acid as a byproduct

Answer 22

muscle contraction

Question 23

sign that muscles are overloaded and there is build up of lactic acid

Answer 23

pain

Question 24

fibrous connective tissues that attach muscles to bone

Answer 24

tendons

Question 25

associated with tendon sheaths

Answer 25

tenosynovitis

Question 26

The sheath provides ______, which keeps tendon lubricated, allowing it to elongate without adhering to surrounding fascia

Answer 26

synovial fluid

Question 27

result when an inflamed sheath fills with lubricating fluid and causes a bump under the skin

Answer 27

Ganglion cysts

Question 28

affects tendons without sheaths

Answer 28

tendonitis

Question 29

inflammation of the tendons

Answer 29

tendonities

Question 30

bursa inflammation

Answer 30

bursitis

Question 31

consists of bundles of fibers that carry signals between the brain and spinal cord or other parts of the body to control activities of muscles and convey impulses of sensation

Answer 31

nerves

Question 32

muscle weakness, tingling sensations, numbness

Answer 32

nerve compression

Question 33

most common symptom of WRMSDs

Answer 33

pain

Question 34

requires excess muscle tiring and, as a result, a quicker onset of fatigue

Answer 34

awkward posture

Question 35

required the least amount of muscular effort, protects muscles and tendons from overloading and subsequent risk of injury

Answer 35

neutral posture

Question 36

The knees should be slightly ____ than hips when seated

Answer 36

lower

Question 37

No more than ___ degree arm abduction

Answer 37

30

Question 38

Position ultrasound system _____ to exam table with no appreciable space between the two.

Answer 38

parallel

Question 39

Adjust the system monitor so that the top of the monitor is at _____.

Answer 39

eye level

Question 40

Maintain elbow of nonscanning arm at the side of the body with ____ degree or more elbow flexion

Answer 40

90

Question 41

Position patient at ____ edge of exam table to reduce abduction and reach of scanning arm

Answer 41

nearst

Question 42

period of time that a body part is exposed to an ergonomic risk factor

Answer 42

duration

Question 43

situation when body parts are positioned away from their neutral position

Answer 43

awkward postures

Question 44

the force exerted by an object on a contracted muscle

Answer 44

load/loading

Question 45

situation when a body part is held in a single position over a long period of time

Answer 45

static posture

Question 46

sustained contact between a body part and an external object

Answer 46

contact stress

Question 47

repeated motion that includes other ergonomic risk factors, such as force and/or awkward posture

Answer 47

repetition

Question 48

the exertion of physical effort applied by a body part to perform a task

Answer 48

force

Question 49

At what age do work-related musculoskeletal disorders generally peaK?

Answer 49

45-54

Question 50

What causes most work-related musculoskeletal disorders?

Answer 50

repeated exposure to one or more risk factos

Question 51

Which of the following are risk factors for the development of of WRMSDs? a. exerting excessive force b. contact pressure of a body part c. vibration d. all of the above

Answer 51

d

Question 52

What is the most commonly reported symptom reported by sonographers?

Answer 52

shoulder pain

Question 53

According to the 1997 Health Care Benefit Trust study, what percentage of sonographers reported musculoskeletal pain related to scanning?

Answer 53

90%

Question 54

What is a major result of repeated exposure to risk factors for WRMSDs?

Answer 54

interference with ability of the body to recover

Question 55

Which condition results in compression of nerves and deterioration of tendons and ligaments? a. microtears b. degeneration c. inflammation d. swelling

Answer 55

c

Question 56

What is the by-product of muscle metabolism that, when built up, results in pain?

Answer 56

lactic acid

Question 57

Which of the following results from friction between a tendon and its sheath, resulting in inflammation and swelling of the tendon? a. tendonitis b. tenosynovitis c. bursitis d. epicondylitis

Answer 57

b

Question 58

What can result when an inflamed tendon sheath fills with lubricating fluid, causing a bump under the skin?

Answer 58

ganglion cyst

Question 59

What can result when a tendon attempts to bear the load usually required of a muscle?

Answer 59

bursitis

Question 60

What percentage of sonographers who were symptomatic for WRMSDs suffered career-ending injuries?

Answer 60

20%

Question 61

What is the type of posture that requires the least amount of muscular effort, protecting muscles and tendons from injury?

Answer 61

neutral posture

Question 62

During performance of an ultrasound examination, under what degree of abduction should the sonographer keep their scanning arm?

Answer 62

30

Question 63

When adjusting the monitor of the ultrasound system, to what level should the top of the monitor be positioned?

Answer 63

eye level

Question 64

What type of grip would be best to use when holding the transducer? a. palmar b. pinch c. tight d. force

Answer 64

a

Question 65

What regulatory agency determines the laws and requirements that employers must follow regarding workplace safety?

Answer 65

OSHA

Question 66

Which equipment piece should be adjusted throughout the ultrasound exam? a. chair b. table c. ultrasound machine d. all of the above

Answer 66

d

Question 67

When performing an ultrasound exam on a difficult to image patient (high BMI, limited mobility), the sonographer should do all of the following EXCEPT: a. limit the time during the exam to minimize exposure to WRMSD risk factors b. use correct body mechanics throughout as much as possible c. push as hard as possible throughout the entire exam using a forceful grip on the transducer d. accept any limitations of the imaging capabilities for the exam

Answer 67

c

Question 68

What adjustment do most sonographers NOT do with the exam table during an ultrasound exam?

Answer 68

lower is enough to minimize arm abduction

Question 69

______ is defined as painful conditions that are caused or aggravated by workplace activities

Answer 69

WRMSDs

Question 70

Despite many improvements in ergonomic equipment and training, a 2009 study reported that ____% of clinical sonographers reported symptoms of WRMSDs, an increase from the 1997 study.

Answer 70

90

Question 71

Risk factors and injuries related to WRMSDs may not be readily apparent as symptoms occur after ______.

Answer 71

prolonged exposure

Question 72

Awkward postures often lead to restriction of blood flow into contracted muscles as a result of ______ on the blood vessels

Answer 72

compression

Question 73

Recovery time is important to muscle function because it allows the muscles to relax and for _____ to be flushed out.

Answer 73

lactic acid

Question 74

The general term for inflammation of the tendon, usually as a result of repeated stress causing tendon fibers to tear, is ______.

Answer 74

tendonitis

Question 75

A sac of lubricating fluid that is present in a joint where tendons pass through a narrow space between bones is known as a _____.

Answer 75

sheath

Question 76

Inflammation can result in nerve _____, causing weakness, tingling sensations, and numbness.

Answer 76

injury

Question 77

From the standpoint of prevention of WRMSDs, it is better to ____ the ultrasound system during transport rather than ____ it.

Answer 77

push pull

Question 78

Symptoms of WRMSDs may be present at _____, after prolonged exposure to risks rather than while performing work tasks.

Answer 78

rest

Question 79

One of the most prevalent risk factors for sonographers is ______, which requires excess muscle firing and a quicker onset of fatigue.

Answer 79

muscle injury

Question 80

When performing an ultrasound exam, the ultrasound system should be positioned _____ to the exam table, with no appreciable space between the two.

Answer 80

parallel

Question 81

Elbow flexion of either the scanning or nonscanning arm should be ____ degrees or more.

Answer 81

90

Question 82

When using a chair, the height should be adjusted to maintain a neutral trunk, neck, and arm posture and ensure that the knees are slightly _____ than the hips.

Answer 82

lower

Question 83

During a sonographic procedure, the patient should be positioned at the _____ edge of the exam table to reduce abduction and reach.

Answer 83

nearst

Question 84

Providing an external _____ for the patient to observe can prevent twisting of the neck and back of the sonographer.

Answer 84

monitor

Question 85

Not only should the ultrasound exam room and equipment be adjusted ergonomically, but the _____ workstation used for PACS or electronic medical records entry should also be adjustable.

Answer 85

computer

Question 86

A simple modification to reduce strain and fatigue of the shoulder and neck muscles is to support the scanning using _____ or a _____ under the elbow.

Answer 86

support cushions rolled up towel

Question 87

Employer and academic programs as well as professional organizations provide options for ongoing _____ and _____ regarding proper scanning techniques and avoiding work-related injuries.

Answer 87

education training