The Commercial Driver Medical Exam: A Comprehensive Review (6397)

After completing the hearing module in this lecture series, the participant will be able to recall:

• The minimum hearing requirements for the commercial driver.
• The impact of hearing on the safe operation of a commercial vehicle and public safety.
• How to perform a forced whisper test and interpret audiometer results.
• Imbalance and vertigo conditions that may be disqualifying. 

After completing the diabetes module of this lecture series, the participant will be able to recall:

• Additional health history questions that should be asked of a diabetic patient.
• The target end-organ damage that occurs in diabetic drivers and their impact on the driver's ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle.
• The FMCSA's definition of a hypoglycemic reaction.
• The recommended testing and education for certification of a non-insulin dependent diabetic driver.
• The requirements for the Federal Diabetes Exemption Program for insulin dependent drivers.

After completing the hypertension module of this lecture series, the participant will be able to recall:

• The three stages of high blood pressure and the recommended certification time intervals.
• The impact of high blood pressure on the driver's ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle.
• The appropriate use of the one-time "three month" temporary certification for drivers having elevated blood pressure at the time of their exam.

After completing the cardiovascular module of this lecture series, the participant will be able to recall:

• The stressors of commercial driving that put commercial drivers at higher risk for heart disease.
• Which cardiac conditions require wait periods, additional testing, or specialist opinions.
• The acceptable values for exercise stress testing and echocardiography.
• The key elements of the most recent update of the Cardiovascular Conference Report's recommendation tables.

After completing the respiratory module of this lecture series, the participant will be able to recall:

• The respiratory conditions and diseases which can impact the ability of a driver to safely operate a commercial vehicle.
• The health history or physical exam findings which indicate a need for additional testing or specialist opinion.
• Passing results of pulmonary function testing, pulse oximetry, and arterial blood gases.
• Sleep disorders and how to evaluate the driver suspected of having obstructive sleep apnea.

After completing the neurologic module of this lecture series, the participant will be able to recall:

• The impact of epilepsy on the driver's ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.
• The cognitive demands required for commercial driving.
• The neurologic conditions such as stroke, TIA, and head injuries that require wait periods, additional testing, and specialist opinions.
• The neuromuscular conditions that can disqualify a driver.

After completing the musculoskeletal module of this lecture series, the participant will be able to recall:

• The physical demands of operating a commercial vehicle.
• The requirements of a skills performance evaluation.

After completing the alcohol and drugs module of this lecture series, the participant will be able to recall:

• The impact of alcohol, prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and illicit drugs on the safe operation of the commercial motor vehicle.
• Screening questions to evaluate for excessive alcohol use.
• Prohibited controlled substances and exceptions to their use.

After completing the psychiatric module of this lecture series, the participant will be able to recall:

• A driver's mental health condition is evaluated using the same questions as any other individual being assessed for psychological concerns.
• The recommendations do not support automatic exclusion from driving based solely on a diagnosis.
• Psychiatric conditions with features of psychosis should be disqualified from commercial driving.

After completing the other conditions module of this lecture series, the participant will be able to recall:

• The additional testing and evaluation required for abnormalities detected on urinalysis.
• The impact of kidney disease on the safe operation of a commercial motor vehicle.
• The evaluation of hernias of the abdominal wall.

This training course conforms to the FMCSA's training curriculum modules and topics on regulations and guidelines for conducting CMV driver medical examinations.