An occupational health nurse (OHN) realizes that an injured employee is going to be temporarily disabled. Which of the following actions can the nurse take to avoid the employee having disability syndrome? (Select all that apply.)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The behavioral change of the individual to avoid returning to work, even after medical clearance has been granted, is called the disability syndrome. The process of returning an individual to work begins with the onset of injury or illness. The nurse works closely with the primary care provider to monitor the progress of the worker and to identify and eliminate potential barriers in the return-to-work process. The nurse must know the workplace and the physical requirements necessary for the employee to work, perhaps by doing a physical demands analysis of the various jobs. The OHN can facilitate the employee being temporarily assigned less physically demanding work, perhaps on a part-time basis, until full employment can be resumed. Then the nurse would continue to monitor and support the employee to avoid adverse health effects. The nurse would most likely not collaborate with legal consultant or negotiate to try to decrease the employee's workers' compensation benefits.

An Occupational Health Nurse (OHN) Realizes That an Injured Employee