HealthStream: Back Safety

How many natural curves does the spine have?

Three

According to NIOSH, back injuries cost American companies an annual twenty billion dollars in workers' compensation.

True

Most back pain results from:

Soft tissue injury

What does OSHA recommend be used as little as possible?

Strict manual lifting

Which of these is a primary risk factor for back injury?

All of the above

Using proper body mechanics is a strategy for minimizing which risk factor for injury?

Awkward posture

Sleeping on the side puts more stress on the spine than sleeping on the stomach.

False

The basic principles for lifting objects translate well to the handling of patients.

False

You think you might have injured your back while assisting with a patient transfer. You should:

Report the injury to your supervisor immediately.

___________ act as shock absorbers by ___________ when bearing weight.

discs; compressing

Which of the following is not a function of the spine?

To protect internal organs

Aerobic exercise:

All of these answers are correct

Back and stomach muscles help:

All of these answers are correct.

To lift a 20-pound box from the floor with proper body mechanics:

Bend at the knees and hips. Keep the back aligned. Hold the box close to the body.