An occupational health nurse has been asked to perform a complete phys

An occupational health nurse has been asked to perform a complete physical examination, including drug testing, on both a prospective and a current employee. Which of the following best describe the purposes of these examinations? (Select all that apply.)

a. To measure the strength of organs that may be affected by workplace responsibilities
b. To document changes that may have occurred while the employee engaged in particular processes or in a particular work area
c. To establish a baseline before the employee is exposed to possible workplace hazards
d. To help decide whether or not to hire the prospective employee
e. To update employee records and fill in any missing information
f.
To warn the employer about specific weaknesses or disabilities in the prospective employee

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: A, B, C
The preplacement evaluation is performed before the worker begins employment in a new company or is placed in a different job. The evaluation is a baseline examination that consists of a medical history, an occupational health history, and a physical assessment that should target the type of work that the employee will be performing. The preplacement examination may also include medical tests to determine specific organ functions that may be affected by exposure to existing agents in the employee’s workplace. Examinations of individuals transferring to other jobs are critical to document any changes in health that may have occurred while the employee was working in a specific area or with a specific process. Preplacement health examinations by law will be permitted only if phrased in terms of the applicant’s general ability to perform job-related functions rather than in terms of any disability and only after a job offer has been made. The examination must be job related and consistently conducted for all applicants performing similar work.