Safety

Environmental Factors

A person's environment includes home, the outdoors, the workplace, the community, and public spaces. Quite simply, it is the surroundings or conditions in which a person operates or functions. For an individual to remain safe and healthy in his or her environment a variety of factors must be considered and good practices maintained. Major environmental factors affecting safety include: Pollution Lighting Communicable Diseases Workplace Hazards

Match the types of environmental pollution with the potential hazards. Air pollution Land pollution Noise pollution Water pollution Birth defects and cancer Elevated blood pressure Chronic lung disease Infection and disease

Air pollutionChronic lung disease Land pollutionBirth defects and cancer Noise pollutionElevated blood pressure Water pollutionInfection and disease

What would be an individual factor that may affect someone's safety? Select all that apply. Workplace Physical age Developmental level Neighborhood environment Participation in school activities

Answer(s): Physical age Developmental level Explanation: Workplace Workplace would be considered an environmental (external) factor. Physical age Physical age is considered individual (internal) factors affecting a person's safety. Developmental level Developmental level is an internal or individual factor that may affect a person's safety. Neighborhood environment Neighborhood environment would be considered an environmental (external) factor. Participation in school activities Participation in school activities would be considered an environmental (external) factor.

Which disease is a communicable disease? Influenza Hypertension Bacterial meningitis Irritable bowel syndrome

Answer: Influenza Explanation: Influenza Communicable diseases are transmitted from one individual directly to another; therefore influenza is a communicable disease. Hypertension Hypertension is not a communicable disease. Bacterial meningitis Irritable Bowel syndrome is not a communicable disease. Irritable bowel syndrome Bacterial meningitis is not a communicable disease.

A patient with short-term memory loss forgot to turn off the stove after preparing dinner. Which body system is most likely compromised? Hepatic Neurologic Integumentary Cardiopulmonary

Answer: Neurologic Explanation: Hepatic Renal or Hepatic impairment can lead to toxicity. Neurologic Neurologic impairment may result is alterations of the five senses (i.e., vision, hearing, touch, smell, and taste) can produce safety risks such as not recognizing something is burning on the stove. Integumentary Injury to the integumentary system can make a person more susceptible to infections. Cardiopulmonary A compromised cardiopulmonary system can lead to activity intolerance which can increase fall risks.

Which risks are unique for an infant or toddler? Select all that apply. Choking on grapes Drowning in swimming pools Strangulation from blind cords Dehydration from sitting in a hot car Accidental ingestion of grandmother's medication

Answers: Choking on grapes Strangulation from blind cords Dehydration from sitting in a hot car Accidental ingestion of grandmother's medication Explanation: Choking on grapes Choking on grapes and other small pieces of food or items is a risk for infants and toddlers. Drowning in swimming pools Drowning in a swimming pool is a risk for school aged children rather than infants and toddlers. Strangulation from blind cords Strangulation from blind cords, or crib slats is a safety risk for infants and toddlers. Dehydration from sitting in a hot car Dehydration from sitting in a hot car or other hot environments a risk for infants and toddlers. Accidental ingestion of grandmother's medication Accidental ingestion of medication or chemicals poses a poisoning risk for toddlers and infants.

What environmental risk can most often lead to falls? Pollution Inadequate lighting Poor lifting techniques Communicable diseases

Answers: Inadequate lighting Explanation: Pollution Pollution is the contamination of air, land, water, or the environment by unnatural or harmful substances. Inadequate lighting Inadequate lighting in homes, community spaces, and workplaces increases the risk of injury and falling. Poor lifting techniques Workplace hazards, such as lifting and use of equipment, place adults at risk for injuries rather than falls. Communicable diseases Communicable diseases are transmitted from person to person or by vectors and are a public health safety concern.

Age and Safety Risks Age and developmental issues influence the safety of individuals across the life span. Unique risks exist for each age group. Infants and Toddlers School-Age Children Teenagers Adults

Infants and Toddlers Risks: Poisoning by accidental ingestion of medications or chemicals Choking on small toys or pieces of food such as grapes and hot dogs Strangulation by crib slats or cords from blinds Electrocution by electrical outlets Injury on sharp corners of furniture Falling on stairways Overheating and dehydration in hot environments School-Age Children Risks: Head and limb injuries related to skating, skateboarding, sledding, and bicycling Head and neck injuries related to trampoline use Drowning in swimming pools Teenagers Risks: Motor vehicle accidents related to distracted driving Sexual transmitted diseases or unplanned pregnancy due to unprotected sex Depression and self-harm Violence Poisoning from tobacco, alcohol, or illegal or prescription drugs Adults Risks: Injury from work-related hazards Overdoses from illegal and prescription drugs Sexually transmitted diseases due to multiple partners Motor vehicle accidents related to impaired driving Particular risks for older adults: Medication errors related to confusion or sensory deficits Falls related to limited mobility Hyperthermia or hypothermia

Individual Factors Affecting Safety

Many factors affect a person's safety, including individual (internal) and environmental (external) factors. Each person's risk for injury is based on internal and external factors: > Individual (internal) factors affecting safety include a person's physical condition and age or developmental level. > Environmental (external) factors affecting safety include surroundings and conditions in which a person operates or functions.

Body System Integrity and Safety Normal functioning of the neurologic, cardiopulmonary, renal/hepatic, musculoskeletal, and integumentary systems is essential for individual safety.

Neurologic The neurologic system includes cognitive (mental) ability and sensory perception, both of which are critical for safe functioning of individuals and their interactions with the environment. When changes in mental status occur, safety awareness may become compromised. For example, an older adult with loss of short-term memory may forget to turn off the stove, increasing the risk of fire. Alterations of the five senses (i.e., vision, hearing, touch, smell, and taste) can produce safety risks. Cardiopulmonary A compromised cardiopulmonary system can impair perfusion, resulting in symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, which can lead to activity intolerance. Inactivity can lead to orthostatic hypotension, an unsafe drop in blood pressure with position changes. Depending on the level of cardiopulmonary compromise, an individual may be unable to safely use the toilet, bathe, stand, and walk. A person in this condition may not be able to evacuate independently from an unsafe environment. Renal/Hepatic Detoxification and excretion of medications occurs in the renal and hepatic systems. Impairment of these systems can lead to symptoms of toxicity, which can include cognitive and physical changes. Musculoskeletal An alteration in the musculoskeletal system can produce a loss of balance, an unsteady gait, and an overall limitation in the ability to safely walk, transfer, and stand, increasing risk for injury. Integumentary Injury to the integumentary system can make a person more susceptible to infections, because the body's protective barrier against external pathogens has been altered.