Common Safety Orientation (CSO) Practice Test

What term describes subtle injuries that affect muscles, tendons, and nerves, especially in joints?

1. Acute injury

2. Commutative trauma disorder (CTD)

3. Occupational stress syndrome

4. Chronic pain syndrome

The correct answer is: Commutative trauma disorder (CTD)

The term that best describes subtle injuries affecting muscles, tendons, and nerves, especially in joints, is cumulative trauma disorder (CTD). This term refers to conditions that arise from repetitive motion or sustained awkward positions, typically over a period of time. CTDs can result in inflammation, pain, and discomfort as they accumulate from repeated stress on specific body areas, often impacting workplace safety and productivity. Acute injuries, on the other hand, typically result from a single traumatic event, such as a sprain or fracture, and do not encompass the gradual development associated with CTDs. Occupational stress syndrome focuses more on the psychological aspects of stress related to work, rather than the physical injuries that characterize CTDs. Chronic pain syndrome deals with prolonged pain that may not necessarily correlate with a specific physical injury or condition, making it less relevant to the context of subtle injuries caused by repetitive actions. Thus, cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) is the specific term that accurately describes these subtle, progressive injuries.