Questions Answered Correctly Graded
A+.
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
(EPA).
d.
Many Americans live in areas that do not meet current national air quality standards. - Answer
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. Toxicologists do not often consult nurses about
environmental pollutants. Pollutant exposures are not routinely reported by nurses. Although
there may be problems with air quality standards in the United States, this would not be the
primary reason why nurses should understand environmental health.
REF: p. 218
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. - Answer ANS: B
Chemical, biological, and radiological pollutants are often found in the air we breathe, the water
we drink, and the products we use. These are not a major cause of global warming. They are not
frequently linked to the development of chronic illnesses. These are not products that nurses
work with on a daily basis.
, REF: p. 221
A nurse fulfills the environmental health competency of "assessment and referral." Which of the
following actions has the nurse most likely completed?
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 - Answer ANS: C
Assessment and referral states that all nurses should be able to successfully complete an
environmental health history, recognize the potential environmental hazards and sentinel
illnesses, and make appropriate referrals for conditions with probably environmental causes.
Advocating for public policy changes is part of advocacy. Understanding policy framework and
legislation is part of legislation and regulation. Describing the scientific principles of
environmental health is part of basic knowledge and concepts.
REF: p. 220 (Box 10-2)
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 - Answer ANS: D
Nurses have historically made discoveries related to chemical exposure when people presented
with signs and symptoms related to known chemical toxicity. Extrapolation by toxicologists and
biomonitoring are modern methods. Completing a chemistry course does not show how to
identify these possible relationships.
REF: p. 220
The basic science applied to understanding the health effects associated with chemical
exposures is: