Certified Occupational Health Nurse Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Hazardous drugs are primarily classified as chemical hazards due to their potential to cause harm to health and safety through exposure. These drugs can pose risks through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion, and may lead to adverse effects for healthcare workers and those handling these substances. The classification as chemical hazards reflects the inherent properties of these drugs, including their toxicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity.

In the context of workplace safety, understanding hazardous drugs as chemical hazards helps in implementing appropriate safety measures, such as using personal protective equipment (PPE), proper ventilation, and safe handling protocols. This classification is essential for developing policies and training programs aimed at minimizing exposure and protecting worker health.

The other types of hazards listed, such as biologic, physical, and psychosocial hazards, pertain to different aspects of workplace safety but do not apply to hazardous drugs in the same way. Biologic hazards might involve bacteria or viruses, physical hazards could refer to environmental dangers like noise or machinery, and psychosocial hazards encompass stress or workplace conflict. Each of these categories addresses specific risks, but they do not include the unique risks associated with hazardous drugs.