American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

Which of the following can be a sign of job-related stress?

1. Excessive tardiness

2. Overeating

3. Equipment abuse

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

All of the options provided—excessive tardiness, overeating, and equipment abuse—can indeed be signs of job-related stress, making the choice of all of the above valid. Excessive tardiness may indicate a struggle with the pressures of the job, leading to difficulties in managing time, motivation, or workload. When individuals feel overwhelmed, their punctuality can suffer as they grapple with their responsibilities. Overeating is another response to stress. Many people turn to food for comfort during periods of high stress, which can result in significant changes in eating habits. This behavior can be a coping mechanism to deal with emotional turmoil that accompanies a stressful work environment. Equipment abuse reflects a potentially serious concern whereby an individual might act out in frustration or neglect their responsibilities due to emotional strain. This kind of behavior can arise when the stress becomes unmanageable, leading to reckless treatment of workplace tools or assets as a form of escapism or rebellion against job-related pressures. Each of these signs is indicative of how stress can manifest in behavior and habits, confirming that all of these options collectively represent the impact of job-related stress on an individual.