Chapter 25 Ergonomics

The goal of ergonomics is to: 

• adapt the human body to the work environment
• increase their range of twisting and reaching motions
• establish sequences of repetitive motions to reduce work strain
• stay healthy while performing their work more effectively

All of the following factors contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) except:

• posture
• repetition and force
• twisting
• both a and b

The ideal working position for a dental assistant is: 

• a neutral position sitting upright with body weight evenly distributed
• standing chairside
• seated, leaning forward supported by the stool arm
• either a or c

Frequent reaching, twisting and working with the arms in awkward positions can cause all of the following except:

• sprains
• strains
• stress
• both sprains and stress

Repetitive motion, overfexion, and overextension of the wrist can significantly increase the risk for: 

• cumulative trauma disorders
• breaking the bone
• arthritis
• both cumulative trauma disorders and breaking the bone

The first symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is often a(n):

• decreased ability to squeeze an object
• painful tingling in one or both hands that occurs at night
• painful swelling of joints in the fingers
• inability to button clothing

To relieve stress on the back, neck and shoulders, a dental assistant can:

• periodically get up and walk around
• perform a full back release and head rotations
• perform a should shrug
• do both full back release/head rotations and shoulder shrugs

To prevent eyestrain, the dental assistant should

• always wear safety glasses
• look up frequently and focus on a point in the distance for about 20 seconds
• focus on the dentists hand and patients mouth
• never look at the curing light

THe use of ambidextrous gloves can place excessive tension on the 

• median nerve
• carpal bones
• synovial sheath
• thenar eminence

The number of bones contained in the carpal tunnel is

• 3
• 6
• 8
• 12