Chapter 10: Environmental Health

When a nurse evaluates the completeness and accuracy of information made available to community residents regarding the impact of rezoning of land parcels for industrial use, the nurse can best be described as: a. advocating for ethical choices. b. communicating risk. c. controlling environmental damage. d. volunteering for service on state boards.

ANS: A Nurses, using sound risk communication skills as trusted communicators, advocate for environmental justice. Ethical issues likely to arise in environmental health decisions are: Who has access to information and when? How complete and accurate is the information? Who is included in the decision making and when? What and whose values and priorities are given weight in decisions? How are short-term and long-term consequences considered?

An example of a point source of air pollution is: a. A smoke stack b. The number of cars and trucks c. How much fossil fuel is consumed in a community d. Ground ozone levels

ANS: A Point sources of pollution are identifiable sources of air pollution, such as a smoke stack.

Why is it important for nurses to understand the premises of environmental health? a. Nurses should be able to assess risks and advocate for policies that support healthy environments. b. Toxicologists often consult nurses about environmental pollutants. c. Pollutant exposures such as lead are reported by nurses to the Environmental Protection Agency. d. Many Americans live in areas that do not meet current national air quality standards.

ANS: A Potential risks to health are concerns for professional nurses. It is the responsibility of the nurse to understand as much as possible about these risks: how to assess them, how to eliminate/reduce them, how to communicate and educate about them, and how to advocate for policies that support healthy environments.

A nurse is completing an exposure history using the mnemonic I PREPARE. What data would a nurse collect when asking questions about the first P? a. Present work b. Potential exposures c. Personal protective equipment use d. Problems with health

ANS: A Present work is the first P.

The basic science applied to understanding the health effects associated with chemical exposures is: a. Toxicology b. Pharmacology c. Chemistry d. Environmental epidemiology

ANS: A Toxicology is the study of the health effects associated with chemical exposures.

A public health nurse working with a family living in poverty recognizes that they are more likely to be exposed to environmental hazards because they have (select all that apply): a. Limited funds to pay for health care b. Poor nutrition c. Homes located closer to hazardous waste sites d. Less education

ANS: A, B, C Families living in poverty are more likely to experience environmental justice issues such as disproportionate environmental exposures. Sub-standard housing, living closer to hazardous waste sites, working in more hazardous jobs, poorer nutrition, and less access to quality health care all contribute to this issue. Although limited education is related to poverty, it is not discussed as causing an increase in environmental exposure.

The role of the nurse who wants to become more active in environmental health could include which of the following? (Select all that apply.) a. Assessing farmworkers for pesticide exposure and providing pesticide risk education b. Conducting epidemiologic investigations as a public health nurse (PHN) c. Developing corporate policy to protect workers from unsafe levels of toxic agents d. Organizing the local community to encourage landlords to remove lead-based paint e. Working as a skilled risk communicator for a local chemical manufacturer

ANS: A, B, C, D, E Nurses can have a vital role in reducing environmental risk, educating workers and/or the community, and helping to eliminate risks in the local community. As nurses learn more about the environment, opportunities for integration of such work into their practices, educational programs, research, advocacy, and policy work will become evident and will evolve.

The monitoring and public reporting of air quality in a local community to assist individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions best illustrates the application of: a. compliance and enforcement. b. environmental epidemiology. c. secondary prevention. d. toxicology

ANS: B Epidemiologic studies enable us to understand the strength of the association between exposures and health effects, such as the relation between air pollution and asthma exacerbation.

The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) increased the involvement of the states and their citizens in the cleanup of toxic waste sites and stressed the importance of permanent remedies and innovative treatment technologies. Another important aspect of this federal legislation was that it: a. provided for the appointment of state emergency response commissions. b. increased focus on the human health problems related to hazardous waste sites. c. established a new safety standard of reasonable certainty of no harm that is to be applied to all pesticides used on food. d. reduced the amount of pollution by mandating cost-effective changes in production, operation, and raw materials use.

ANS: B SARA changes included an increase in the size of the trust fund; encouraged greater citizen participation in decision making on how sites should be cleaned up; increased state involvement in every phase of the Superfund program; increased focus on human health problems related to hazardous waste sites; established new enforcement authorities and settlement tools; stressed the importance of permanent remedies and innovative treatment technologies in the cleanup of hazardous waste sites; provided for Superfund actions to consider standards in other federal and state regulations; and established the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. This act amended the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act with provisions for a broader community-level involvement and public health mission to address the effects of hazardous waste sites on people.

A college health nurse is working with students, faculty, and staff to improve environmental air quality. To address the primary cause of air pollution on campus, the nurse plans a precautionary intervention. Which of the following interventions best demonstrates an appropriate approach? a. Encourage the use of electric cars and scooters on campus b. Increase the use of bicycles, foot-powered scooters, rollerblades, and walking as the primary mode of transportation on campus c. Make the entire campus a no-smoking zone d. Establish a policy to reduce electricity consumption in university buildings by raising the thermostat to 78° in the summer and lowering the thermostat to 70°in the winter

ANS: B The burning of fossil fuels to power automobiles and buses and to generate electricity is the single greatest source of air pollution in the United States. While reducing the use of electricity on campus is helpful, the single biggest source of campus air pollution is the cars and buses used to drive to and around campus. Decreasing their use is also an application of the precautionary principle.

A community health nurse manager has integrated exposure history elements into the assessment practices of the health department that are relevant to the urban industrial community served. This strategy indicates that the nurse manager is aware of the relationship between: a. community strengths and weaknesses. b. environment and human health/disease. c. toxicology studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency and the environment. d. federal and state environmental regulations.

ANS: B Understanding the relationship between the environment and human health and disease has become more important over the years. The environment is now known to play a role as a determinant of health status, an explanation of disease, an influence on health risk, and a cause of human toxicity and the ever-increasing burden of potentially toxic synthetic chemicals that our bodies carry.

Environmental health is important to nurses because chemical, biological, and radiological materials are: a. A major cause of global warming b. Often found in the air, water, and products we use c. Frequently linked to the development of chronic illnesses d. Products that nurses work with on a daily basis

ANS: B Chemical, biological, and radiological pollutants are often found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the products we use.

A public health nurse is working with a migrant farm worker who has experienced an exposure to a pesticide. When researching pesticides, the nurse looks at the family of the chemical. What similarities are found among chemicals that have been placed in the same family? a. Route of entry into the body b. Actions and associated risks c. Effects that they have on the body d. Potency and toxicity

ANS: B Chemicals are grouped so its possible to understand the actions and risks associated with each group.

Which is considered a nonpoint source of pollution? a. Hazardous waste site b. Animal waste from wildlife c. Chlorine poured down a well d. Stagnant water

ANS: B Point source means a single place from which the pollutant is released into the environment, whereas nonpoint source implies a more diffuse source of pollution.

If a nurse wanted more information on indoor air quality, which website would be most helpful? a. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) b. The American Lung Association c. Right to Know d. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

ANS: B Sources of information about air quality include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Lung Association.

When would it be appropriate for a nurse to use a Geographic Information System (GIS)? a. Recording client data collected at a foot clinic b. Determining neighborhoods that have an increased incidence of lead poisoning c. Evaluating effectiveness of a farm safety program d. Scheduling health promotion programs in the community

ANS: B The use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) allows the public health nurse to apply the principles of epidemiology into practice. GIS allows nurses to code data so that it is related spatially to a place on earth and is helpful in determining concentrated areas for incidence of disease and illness.

Which approach(s) can a nurse use when assessing environmental health risks? Select all that apply. a. Ask legislators to provide a list of environmental pollutants in the area. b. Develop a list of exposures associated with urban, rural, or suburban settings. c. Assess the risk by medium such as air, water, soil, or food. d. Divide the environment into functional locations: home, school, workplace, and community.

ANS: B, C, D The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th options are ways a nurse can assess the environment.

A nurse fulfills the environmental health competency of assessment and referral when: a. Advocating for public policy changes b. Understanding policy framework and major pieces of legislation c. Completing an environmental health history d. Describing the scientific principles about environmental health

ANS: C Assessment is always an important element of the nursing process. The third option is an example of the assessment phase of the nursing process.

What action can a nurse take on an individual level to reduce pollution in the environment? a. Provide a tax incentive to factories that do not pollute. b. Make laws related to allowed levels of pollution in the area. c. Choose a less-polluting car. d. Move to an area with less pollution.

ANS: C Citizens can reduce air pollution by doing their part, which can include choosing less-polluting cars.

Epidemiology: a. Is a science that studies the poisonous effects of chemicals b. Explains the association between learning disabilities and exposure to lead-based paint at the cellular level c. Helps nurses understand the strength of the association between exposure and health effects d. Is a method for tracking the prevalence of a disease

ANS: C Epidemiology studies the incidence and prevalence of disease, helping nurses understand the strength of the association between exposure and health effects.

A nurse is addressing the problem of air pollution in the community. The first step in the process of controlling the pollution would be: a. Setting standards b. Monitoring c. Permitting d. Compliance

ANS: C Permitting is a process by which the government places limits on the amount of pollution emitted into the air or water.

Which environmental law sets basic structure for regulating pollutants to United States waters? a. Safe Drinking Water Act b. Toxic Substance Control Act c. Clean Water Act d. Pollution Prevention Act

ANS: C The Clean Water Act sets basic structure for regulating pollutants to United States waters.

Which example contains the components necessary to form an epidemiologic triangle? a. Pesticides, water, food b. Lead, mercury, soil c. Trichloroethylene, water, infants d. Children under 12, elderly, temperature

ANS: C The epidemiologic triangle consists of an agent (chemical), host (community consisting of several variants), and environment (air, water, soil,

Which question would a nurse ask during the first phase of a risk assessment? a. Has the chemical been released into the environment? b. How much and by which route of entry can the chemical enter the body? c. Is the chemical known to be associated with a negative health effect? d. What is the prediction for potential harm?

ANS: C The first phase is determining if a chemical is known to be associated with negative health effects (in animals or humans).

Employees working with hazardous chemicals have the right to know about the chemicals they are working with through the creation of the: a. Material Safety Data Sheet b. Consumer Confidence Report c. Hazard Communication Standard d. Environmental Protection Agency

ANS: C This standard requires employers to maintain a list of all hazardous chemicals that are used on site.

The greatest single source of air pollution in the United States is from: a. Waste incineration b. Power plants c. Motor vehicles d. Molds

ANS: C Waste incineration and power plants are major contributors after motor vehicles. Molds contribute to poor indoor air quality.

An occupational health nurse practitioner's physical assessment of a factory worker identifies an acute-onset pruritic dermatitis extending over the face, hands, neck, and forearms. The nurse's priorities should be to: a. contact factory senior management, educate workers about their exposure, and clean the area. b. contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration immediately and remove the offending chemical in the work environment. c. immediately evacuate the worker's nearby workspace and treat the worker and other exposed workers. d. treat the client and obtain a comprehensive exposure history; if an on-site environmental exposure is suspected as the cause, screen other at-risk workers and ensure that the environmental risk is identified and eliminated.

ANS: D A careful history should be taken using the I PREPARE (Investigate potential exposures, Present work, Residence, Environmental concerns, Past work, Activities, Referrals and resources, Educate) model. The client should be appropriately treated. If an on-site environmental exposure is suspected, other at-risk workers should be screened and treated as needed. The environmental cause should be resolved, either by removing the offending chemical or reducing it to safer levels. Factory safety policies should be followed, reviewed, and changed if needed. State and federal agencies should be notified as required.

Campaigns to decrease the inequitable burden of environmental risks on the poor and people of color in the United States strive to apply the ethical principle of: a. societal justice. b. nonmaleficence. c. compliance and enforcement of the Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Act. d. environmental justice.

ANS: D Environmental health risks notably have disproportionately affected poor people and people of color in the United States. Low-income citizens and people of color are more likely to live near a hazardous waste site, and increased incidence of childhood lead poisoning and increased rates of childhood asthma are seen in these groups. Environmental justice is the principle of assuring that no group is more at risk of harmful exposure than another.

A nurse identifies higher-than-normal levels of lead when screening a 3-year-old child. The nurse works with the local health department to put together a team to address the environmental issues responsible for the child's abnormal lead level. Team members should include the following specialists: a. epidemiologist, pediatric specialist, and sanitarian. b. laboratory specialist, contractor whose bid for lead reduction work is the lowest, and public health lead reduction specialist. c. public health sanitarian, pediatric generalist, and plumbing inspector. d. specially trained housing inspector, pediatric specialist, lead-based paint intervention team, and laboratory specialists to test the child's home and the surrounding neighborhood

ANS: D Environmental health-risk identification and risk-reduction intervention require a multidisciplinary team. The team members needed to address an elevated lead level in a child include a specially trained housing inspector, a sanitarian familiar with lead health risks, a nurse practitioner and/or physician trained to intervene in cases of pediatric lead exposure, and housing specialists trained to reduce lead-based paint risk in the home.

When applying the nursing process to environmental health, the nurse would: a. conduct an assessment focused on the client's presenting problem. b. coordinate interventions with the primary care provider of record. c. examine criteria that are limited to the client's immediate responses. d. include outcome measures that involve mitigation and elimination of the contributing factors.

ANS: D If the nurse suspects that the client's health problem is being influenced by environmental factors, the nurse should follow the nursing process and note the environmental aspects of the problem in every step of the nursing process. For instance, in goal setting, the nurse should include outcome measures that relate to mitigation and elimination of the environmental factors.

An acceptable level of emissions or a maximum contaminant level allowed is an example of which environmental protection strategy? a. Controlling pollution b. Waste minimization c. Land use planning d. Environmental standard

ANS: D An example of an environmental standard is an acceptable level of emissions or a maximum contaminant level allowed.

An inspection of a facility after a permit is obtained for the purpose of observing whether the plans submitted in the permit application are being implemented as approved is an example of which environmental protection strategy? a. Controlling pollution b. Waste minimization c. Land use planning d. Environmental monitoring

ANS: D Environmental monitoring would be an inspection of a facility after a permit is obtained to observe whether the plans submitted in the permit application are being implemented as approved.

How have nurses historically learned to identify a possible relationship between environmental chemical exposures and their potential harm? a. Extrapolation by toxicologists b. Biomonitoring c. Completing chemistry courses d. Observing signs and symptoms in clients

ANS: D Nurses have historically made discoveries related to chemical exposure when people presented with signs and symptoms related to known chemical toxicity. The first two options are modern methods.

A public health nurse is organizing a multidisciplinary team to address the issue of water pollution in the community. The most likely members that would be invited to address this issue would be: a. Physicians, water sanitation workers, and occupational therapists b. Pharmacologists, radiologists, and epidemiologists c. Nurse practitioners, pharmacologists, and environmentalists d. Geologists, meteorologists, and chemists

ANS: D Scientists who study how pollutants travel in air, water, and soil are geologists, meteorologists, and chemists.