Occupational Health Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following is the correct combination?

Cold-Trench foot. ***Correct Option: Cold-Trench foot*** - **Trench foot** is an occupational cold injury caused by prolonged exposure to **cold and wet conditions** - Commonly seen in soldiers, agricultural workers, and those working in cold, damp environments - Results in **non-freezing cold injury** with tissue damage from vasoconstriction and ischemia - This represents a valid occupational exposure-disease combination *Incorrect: Cane fibre-Farmers lung* - **Cane fibre (bagasse)** causes **Bagassosis**, NOT Farmer's lung - **Bagassosis**: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis from exposure to moldy sugarcane bagasse - **Farmer's lung**: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis from exposure to moldy hay or grain - While both are forms of extrinsic allergic alveolitis, they are distinct conditions with different causative agents *Incorrect: Light-Miner's nystagmus* - **Miner's nystagmus** is associated with working in **darkness or poor lighting**, not light exposure - Caused by prolonged work in dim illumination in underground mines - Involves involuntary oscillatory eye movements due to disruption of the oculomotor system - This combination is backwards - the exposure is lack of light, not light itself *Incorrect: Pressure-Caisson's disease* - **Caisson disease** (decompression sickness) is caused by **rapid reduction in ambient pressure**, not pressure exposure itself - Occurs when dissolved inert gases (nitrogen) form bubbles during rapid decompression - Seen in divers, tunnel workers, and caisson workers - The exposure is more accurately described as "pressure changes" or "decompression" rather than simply "pressure"

Q: Chance of acquiring Hepatitis B infection by eye splash with Hepatitis B positive patient blood:

0.30%. ***0.30%*** - The chance of acquiring **Hepatitis B infection** via an **eye splash (mucous membrane exposure)** from HBV-positive blood is approximately **0.3%**. - This risk is significantly lower than that following **percutaneous injury** (e.g., needlestick), which ranges from **6-30%** depending on the viral load and HBeAg status. - **Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)** with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and vaccination is recommended following such exposures. *10%* - This risk is **higher than the actual rate** for mucous membrane exposure to HBV. - A 10% transmission risk is closer to the **lower-to-mid range for percutaneous exposure** (needlestick injury), not mucosal exposure. *20%* - This percentage represents a risk **much higher** than that associated with mucous membrane exposure to Hepatitis B contaminated blood. - The 20% mark falls within the **mid-range for percutaneous exposure** from an HBeAg-positive source, not an eye splash. *30%* - This represents the **highest estimated risk** for Hepatitis B transmission through **percutaneous injury** (deep needlestick from HBeAg-positive patient with high viral load). - This is a significant **overestimation for eye splash (mucous membrane exposure)**, which carries approximately 100 times lower risk.

Q: Silicosis can be controlled by:

Rigorous dust control. ***Rigorous dust control*** - **Silicosis** is a lung disease caused by inhaling **crystalline silica dust**, making dust control the primary preventive measure - This includes **engineering controls** such as ventilation, wet methods, local exhaust systems, and enclosure to minimize airborne dust levels - **Primary prevention** through environmental control is the most effective strategy *BCG vaccination* - **BCG vaccination** is used to prevent **tuberculosis**, not silicosis - While patients with silicosis have increased risk for tuberculosis, BCG does not directly prevent or control silicosis development *Adequate personal hygiene* - Good **personal hygiene** is important for overall health but does not prevent inhalation of **silica dust** in occupational settings - Does not address the fundamental environmental exposure that causes silicosis *Effective implementation of factories act* - The **Factories Act** provides legal frameworks for worker safety and encompasses broad measures - However, the specific control of silicosis depends directly on technical measures of **rigorous dust control**, which are implemented through but not synonymous with such legislation

Q: ESI Act includes all the following except:

Defense establishments. ***Defense establishments*** - The **Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act** specifically excludes establishments like the armed forces and other defense-related entities from its coverage. - This exclusion is primarily due to separate social security and welfare provisions already available for personnel in these sectors. *Non-power using factories employing 20 or more persons* - The ESI Act generally covers **non-power using factories** that employ 20 or more persons, ensuring social security for their workers. - This option describes an establishment that would typically fall under the purview of the ESI scheme. *Small power-using factories* - The ESI Act covers **factories using power** with 10 or more employees in most states, making small power-using factories eligible. - This category of establishment is explicitly included in the scope of the ESI Act for providing social security benefits. *Newspaper establishment* - **Newspaper establishments** that employ 20 or more persons are typically covered under the ESI Act. - The Act generally applies to various commercial establishments meeting the employee threshold, irrespective of their specific industry.

Q: Ergonomics is a discipline that deals with:-

Fitting the job to the workers. ***Fitting the job to the workers*** - **Ergonomics** is fundamentally about designing and arranging workplaces, products, and systems so that they fit the people who use them, optimizing **human well-being** and **overall system performance**. - This involves considering various human capabilities and limitations, such as **physical dimensions**, **cognitive abilities**, and **psychological factors**, to prevent injuries and improve efficiency. *Study of working environment* - While the working environment is a component of ergonomic considerations, ergonomics is a broader discipline focused on the **interaction between people and their environment**, rather than just the environment itself. - It involves **modifying the job or environment** to suit the worker, not merely observing the existing environment. *Human relationship in the specific context of production* - This describes aspects of **organizational psychology** or **human resources management**, which focus on social interactions and productivity within a work setting. - Ergonomics, in contrast, is centered on the **physical and cognitive suitability** of tasks and tools for individuals. *Study of the system of laws and institutions* - This refers to **jurisprudence** or **political science**, which deal with legal frameworks and governmental structures. - Ergonomics is a **scientific discipline** focused on human factors in design, not legal or institutional analysis.

Q: Asbestos was primarily used in which of the following industries?

Cement production. ***Cement production*** - Asbestos was widely used in **cement products** due to its reinforcing and heat-resistant properties, notably in asbestos-cement pipes and sheets. - This application contributed to its prevalence in the construction industry and subsequent health concerns. *Painting* - The painting industry does not typically use asbestos as a primary component in paints or coatings. - While some textured paints in the past might have contained asbestos, it was not a core application for the material. *Cotton industry* - The cotton industry deals with textile manufacturing and does not involve the use of asbestos. - Workers in this industry are more prone to conditions like **byssinosis**, linked to raw cotton dust exposure. *Bakery* - The bakery industry is focused on food production and does not have any direct use for asbestos. - Asbestos is not a food additive nor is it used in baking equipment or materials.

Q: ESI Act does not cover which of the following:

Railway employees. ***Railway employees*** - The **Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act** does not cover railway employees, as they typically fall under their own separate welfare schemes and medical facilities provided by the **Indian Railways**. - Railway employees have specific service conditions and benefits, including comprehensive medical care that operates **independently of ESI**. *Hotel employee* - Employees in hotels are generally covered by the **ESI Act** if the establishment meets the eligibility criteria regarding the number of employees. - The ESI scheme provides social security benefits, including **medical care and financial assistance**, to eligible hotel workers. *Transporters* - Workers employed in transport undertakings are usually covered under the **ESI Act**, especially if the establishment employs the requisite number of persons. - This coverage ensures their access to **medical services and other ESI benefits**. *Factory employees* - Factory employees are a primary group intended to be covered by the **ESI Act**, provided the factory meets the minimum employee threshold. - The Act's main aim was to provide **social security and health benefits** to industrial and factory workers.

Q: What is the chance of HIV infection after needle prick injury?

1/300. ***1/300*** - The risk of **HIV transmission** from a percutaneous exposure (e.g., needlestick) from an HIV-infected source is estimated to be approximately **0.3%**, or **1 in 300** - This is the **established standard risk** based on CDC and WHO occupational safety guidelines - Risk factors that may increase transmission include **deeper injury**, **larger blood volume**, **hollow-bore needle**, **visible blood on device**, and **high viral load** in the source patient *1/100* - This represents a **higher risk (1%)** than typically observed for occupational HIV needlestick injuries - The 1/100 risk is more commonly associated with **Hepatitis C virus (HCV)** transmission after percutaneous exposure, which has significantly higher infectivity than HIV *1/10000* - This represents a **significantly lower risk (0.01%)** than the established average for HIV transmission via needlestick injury - This underestimates the actual occupational risk and could lead to inadequate post-exposure prophylaxis measures *1 in 1 Lakh (1/100,000)* - This represents an **extremely low probability (0.001%)** of transmission, far below the known risk of HIV infection via needlestick - Such a remote risk would be more appropriate for **mucocutaneous exposures** or **intact skin contact**, not percutaneous injuries

Q: Which of the following is false regarding respirable dust:

Soluble dust remains in the lungs for a long time. ***Soluble dust remains in the lungs for a long time*** - This statement is false because soluble dusts are **rapidly cleared** from the lungs through dissolution and absorption into the bloodstream or through mucociliary clearance. - Their solubility means they do not persist in the lung tissue long enough to cause significant chronic fibrotic changes. *May lead to pneumoconiosis* - **Inhalable dusts**, particularly those that are insoluble and durable, can accumulate in the lungs and lead to various forms of **pneumoconiosis**, which are interstitial lung diseases. - Examples include **silicosis**, **asbestosis**, and **coal workers' pneumoconiosis**. *Silicosis is the most common dust disease* - **Silicosis** is indeed one of the **most prevalent occupational lung diseases** globally due to widespread exposure to **crystalline silica** in various industries. - It is a chronic, progressive pneumoconiosis caused by the inhalation of respirable silica dust. *Smaller than 5 microns is repairable* - Dust particles **smaller than 5-10 microns** (often referred to as respirable dust) are capable of reaching the **alveolar region** of the lungs. - Particles of this size are the most problematic because they can evade the upper respiratory tract's defense mechanisms and deposit deep within the lungs, leading to long-term health effects.

Q: As per the ESI Act, sickness benefit is given for?

91 days. ***91 days*** - Under the **ESI Act**, standard sickness benefit is provided for a maximum period of **91 days** in any two consecutive benefit periods (each period being 6 months). - This benefit aims to compensate for **wage loss** during periods of certified sickness for insured persons. - This is the most commonly applicable duration for routine illnesses. *409 days* - This duration represents the **enhanced sickness benefit** under certain special circumstances. - Not the standard duration for general or extended sickness benefits under the ESI Act. *309 days* - This is the duration for **Extended Sickness Benefit (ESB)** provided for specific prolonged/chronic illnesses like **tuberculosis, leprosy, mental illness, and malignancy**. - ESB is granted when the insured person requires prolonged treatment for specified diseases. *2 years* - While certain **disablement benefits** or medical care under ESI can extend for longer periods, general sickness benefit is not granted for 2 years. - Long-term benefits like permanent disablement or medical treatment for chronic conditions may continue for extended periods.

Question 1

Which of the following is the correct combination?

Accepted Answer

Cold-Trench foot

Answer

Cane fibre-Farmers lung

Answer

Light-Miner's nystagmus

Answer

Pressure-Caisson's disease

Question 2

Chance of acquiring Hepatitis B infection by eye splash with Hepatitis B positive patient blood:

Accepted Answer

0.30%

Answer

10%

Answer

20%

Answer

30%

Question 3

Silicosis can be controlled by:

Accepted Answer

Rigorous dust control

Answer

BCG vaccination

Answer

Adequate personal hygiene

Answer

Effective implementation of factories act

Question 4

ESI Act includes all the following except:

Accepted Answer

Defense establishments

Answer

Non-power using factories employing 20 or more persons

Answer

Small power-using factories

Answer

Newspaper establishment

Question 5

Ergonomics is a discipline that deals with:-

Accepted Answer

Fitting the job to the workers

Answer

Study of working environment

Answer

Human relationship in the specific context of production

Answer

Study of the system of laws and institutions

Question 6

Asbestos was primarily used in which of the following industries?

Accepted Answer

Cement production

Answer

Painting

Answer

Cotton industry

Answer

Bakery

Question 7

ESI Act does not cover which of the following:

Accepted Answer

Railway employees

Answer

Hotel employee

Answer

Transporters

Answer

Factory employees

Question 8

What is the chance of HIV infection after needle prick injury?

Accepted Answer

1/300

Answer

1/100

Answer

1/10000

Answer

1 in 1 Lakh

Question 9

Which of the following is false regarding respirable dust:

Accepted Answer

Soluble dust remains in the lungs for a long time

Answer

May lead to pneumoconiosis

Answer

Silicosis is the most common dust disease

Answer

Smaller than 5 microns is respirable

Question 10

As per the ESI Act, sickness benefit is given for?

Accepted Answer

91 days

Answer

409 days

Answer

309 days

Answer

2 years

Occupational Health — MCQs

Occupational Health — MCQs

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