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NCLEX · General

A nurse is educating a factory worker about hearing protection. At what noise level (dB) does the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) require hearing protection?

Correct answer

85 dB or above for 8 hours — OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 90 dB for 8 hours; action level requiring hearing conservation program is 85 dB (TWA over 8 hours)

  1. A 70 dB or above
  2. B 85 dB or above for 8 hours — OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 90 dB for 8 hours; action level requiring hearing conservation program is 85 dB (TWA over 8 hours)
  3. C 95 dB or above
  4. D 100 dB or above

Why this is the answer

OSHA NOISE STANDARDS: Action Level: 85 dB time-weighted average over 8 hours — triggers hearing conservation programme (audiometric testing, hearing protection training, noise monitoring); Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): 90 dB TWA 8 hours; at higher decibels, permitted exposure time decreases (95 dB → 4 hours max, 100 dB → 2 hours max, 115 dB → 15 minutes max). HEARING LOSS: Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent and cumulative — damage is irreversible. Hearing protection (earplugs, earmuffs) is required when: working at or above 90 dB for 8 hours; exposure exceeds the time-limited threshold at higher levels. Engineering controls (reducing noise at source) are preferred over personal protective equipment.
Source: NCLEX-PN HP — Occupational Health, OSHA Noise Standards

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