DOT exam Flashcards
DOT, CDL, & commercial motor vehicle
DOT: Department of Transportation
CDL: Commercial Drivers license
Commercial motor vehicle: vehicle used for commercial purposes that…(at least 1)
1. Has a weight rating of >10,000 lbs
2. Is used to transport hazardous materials
3. Can carry at least 16 passengers
Primary goal of DOT exam is public safety*
-Truck driving has 3rd highest mortality rate among common US occupations
DOT Exam Background
- Qualification standards are currently set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
- Drivers MUST undergo a history and physical by a licensed Physician, Physician Assistant, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, DO, or Chiropractor
- Examiner bears legal liability for exam accuracy
- Maximum certificate length is 2 years
DOT Exam: New Requirements
Established in 2012:
–In order to conduct these examinations, providers must complete training and subsequent testing by May 2014 to be listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME)
DOT Exam: History
- Health History (driver completes prior to arrival)
- Contains multiple questions on the driver’s PMH and current medical conditions
- Any “yes” responses require explanation - Med review
- In general, an individual can not be on a scheduled 1drug, amphetamine, narcotic, other habit-forming drug (exceptions exist), or antiseizure med
DOT Vision Requirements
- demonstrate at least 20/40 visual acuity in each eye with or w/o correction
- demonstrate at least 70 degrees peripheral vision in each eye
- demonstrate ability to distinguish b/w red/green/amber colors (Ishihara test)
- can qualify w/ colorblind if distinguish traffic control signals
- demonstrate binocular vision
- use of contact lenses in 1 eye for distance & 1 eye for near vision –> disqualified
-use of corrective lenses MUST be noted on certificate*
DOT Hearing Requirements
-must first perceive a whispered voice > or = 5 ft. from the provider (with or w/o a hearing aid)
OR
-demonstrate average hearing loss in the better ear < or = 40 dB at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz
-use of a hearing aid MUST be noted on certificate*
DOT: Blood Pressure & HR Requirements
Blood Pressure requirements:
- Take at least 2 BP readings to confirm*
- Reading must be < or = to 160/90 to qualify on initial exam
Pulse requirements:
-Must demonstrate a regular pulse pattern
DOT: Physical Exam
Focus lies in assessing functional ability to control a large MV, move heavy cargo, load/unload vehicle etc.
- General Appearance: obesity, tremor, signs of alcohol or drug use
- Eyes: PEERLA, nystagmus, exopthalmos, retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration
- Ears: ear disease, occlusion of canal, perforated TM
- Mouth and Throat: deformities interfering w/breathing, swallowing
- Heart: murmurs, extra sounds, enlarged heart, pacemaker
- Lungs/chest: abnormal RR, abnormal breath sounds (wheezes, rales, rhonchi), dyspnea, cyanosis
- Abdomen: enlarged liver/spleen, masses, bruits, hernia, abd weakness
- Vascular: abnormal pulse, bruits, varicosities
- Genitourinary: hernias
- Spine: previous surgery, deformities, decreased ROM, tenderness
- Extremities: loss or impairment (UE and LE), limp, atrophy, weakness, paralysis, edema, insufficient grasp (upper limb), insufficient strength/ROM (lower limb)
- Neurological: impaired equilibrium/coordination/speech, asymmetric reflexes, ataxia, motor or sensory deficits
DOT Exam: Lab Work
- Urinalysis to screen for diabetes (only required test for all applicants)
- Additional lab work should NOT be ordered if functional testing is normal
- Screening EKG is NOT required for asymptomatic individuals
- Resting and stress EKG’s should be done in individuals w/established heart disease or symptomatic
DOT: Limb Impairment
- SPE Certification Program allows persons w/loss of foot or limb to potentially qualify w/use of prosthetic devices or equipment modifications
- additional restrictions may be placed
- driver must have current SPE certificate in vehicle
DOT: Diabetes
- Previously, insulin dependent disqualified (now have exceptions)
- Non-insulin dependent can qualify if controlled & no organ damage
- Fasting plasma glucose < 140- 2 hr postprandial glucose < 200
- HA1C < 8
- Ask about hypoglycemic episodes
DOT: CV Disease
- Current CV disease accompanied by or likely to cause sxs of syncope, dyspnea, collapse, or CHF should be disqualified
- Can make exception -> cardiologist eval
- Must undergo resting & stress EKG
- CABG, pacemakers, & Coumadin do not disqualify
DOT: HTN
- BP 161-180/91-104 –> qualify x 3 mos
- BP < or = to 160 and/or 90 w/in 3 mos –> then qualify x 1 year (document Rx, BP control)
- BP > 180 and/or 104 –> disqualified until reduced to then qualify x 3 mos
- BP < or = 160 and/or 90 w/in 3 mos –> qualify x 6 mos (document Rx, BP control)
DOT: Respiratory Dysfunction
-If any conditions suspected that are not controlled and could interfere with oxygen exchange (i.e.-COPD, chronic asthma, TB, sleep apnea etc.) –> REFER for additional testing
DOT: Epilepsy
- Any pt with a hx of epilepsy, current diagnosis of epilepsy, or taking antiseizure medication –> disqualified
- If sudden LOC or sz of unknown cause which did not require antiseizure med –> 6 month waiting period/neuro exam. If neuro exam normal and driver is not prescribed antiseizure meds –> qualified
- If LOC or sz resulted from known medical condition –> defer until fully recovered