Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS) Practice Exam

Which symptom might restrict a food service worker's duties but is not part of the five that must be reported?

1. Diarrhea

2. Nausea

3. Vomiting

4. Sore throat with fever

The correct answer is: Nausea

The answer identifies nausea as a symptom that might restrict a food service worker's duties, but it is not one of the five symptoms that must be reported as outlined by food safety regulations. The five reportable symptoms typically include diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice, sore throat with fever, and a specific type of gastrointestinal illness. Nausea, while it can indicate a potential health issue and may suggest that a worker is not fit to handle food, does not meet the criteria of required reporting, as it does not directly indicate the presence of an infectious disease. Restrictions may still apply since a worker experiencing nausea should be cautious and possibly refrain from food handling to avoid further complications, but it is not mandated to report this symptom. This distinction is crucial for food safety practices, as it helps prioritize the reporting of symptoms that more directly impact the risk of foodborne illness within establishments.