Deck 10: Environmental Health

Question 1

How do chemical, biological, and radiological exposures contribute to health risk?

A) They cause global warming.
B) These pollutants are often found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the products we use.
C) They always cause chronic illness.
D) Nurses are not aware of their chemical components.

Answer 1

These pollutants are often found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the products we use.

Question 2

There are several general environmental health competencies for nurses. An example of the competency "assessment and referral" is:

A) Nurses should be advocates for public policy changes.
B) Nurses should understand policy framework and major pieces of legislation.
C) Nurses should be able to successfully complete an environmental health history.
D) Nurses should understand scientific principles about the relationship between individuals and the environment.
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Test Bank

Answer 2

Nurses should be able to successfully complete an environmental health history.

Question 3

The greatest single source of air pollution in the United States is from:

A) Waste incineration
B) Power plants
C) Motor vehicles
D) Molds

Answer 3

Motor vehicles

Question 4

The basic science applied to understanding the health effects associated with chemical exposures is:

A) Toxicology
B) Pharmacology
C) Chemistry
D) Environmental epidemiology

Question 5

Which of the following is the central concept "Rule of Seven" regarding environmental decisions in Native American cultures?

A) What will be the effect in seven years?
B) What will be the effect on the seventh generation?
C) How does the environment affect the soil, air, water, food, animals, humans, and the future?
D) There are seven rules to protecting the environment.

Question 6

Nurses have a role in assessing the health problems of a community, including the sources of pollution. An example of point sources 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

Question 7

When taking an exposure history and using the mnemonic I PREPARE, what does the first "P" mean?

A) Present work
B) Potential exposures
C) Personal protective equipment use
D) Problems with health

Question 8

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 us understand the strength of the association between exposure and health effects
D) Is a method for tracking the prevalence of a disease

Question 9

Often a multidisciplinary approach is used in the study of pollutants. In addition to toxicology and epidemiology, a number of other sciences help us understand pollutants that travel in air, water, and soil. Some of these other teams include:

A) Physicians, physical therapists, and occupational therapists
B) Pharmacologists, radiologists, and gastroenterologists
C) Nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists
D) Geologists, meteorologists, and chemists

Question 10

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) Historically taken chemistry courses that enabled them to understand the chemical properties of pollutants
D) By observing humans who present with signs and symptoms that can be connected to a specific chemical exposure

Question 11

Why are chemicals grouped into "families"?

A) They are grouped according to their route of entry into the body.
B) It is possible to understand the actions and risks associated with each group.
C) They are grouped according to the effects they have on the body.
D) They are grouped according to their toxicity.

Question 12

The first phase of a risk assessment is:

A) Has the chemical been released into the environment?
B) How much and by which route of entry can the chemical enter body?
C) Is the chemical known to be associated with a negative health effect?
D) What is the prediction for potential harm?

Question 13

The earth has what percentage of fresh water?

A)2.5
B) 10
C)25
D) 50

Question 14

Both drugs and pollutants can enter the body from a variety of routes. These routes are:

A) Gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and dermal exposure
B) Urinary tract, skin, and water
C) Pesticides, heavy metals, and chemicals
D) Hydrocarbons, chemotherapeutic drugs, and organ recipients.

Question 15

Indoor air quality is a growing public concern because of the rise in asthma incidence in the United States. If a nurse wanted more information on indoor air quality, which of the following Web sites 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)

Question 16

According to the epidemiologic triangle, in order for a disease process to occur, three major components are needed. Which of the following would be an example of what is needed?

A) Pesticides, water, food
B) Lead, mercury, soil
C) Trichloroethylene, water, infants
D) Children under 12, elderly, temperature

Question 17

What can a nurse do 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

Question 18

Environmental health comprises those aspects of human health affecting quality of life that are determined by biological, chemical, and social and psychological problems in the environment. Why is it important for nurses to understand the premises of environmental health?

A) Nurses should be able to assess, eliminate/reduce, educate, and advocate for policies that support health environments.
B) Toxicologists often consult nurses about environmental pollutants.
C) Pollutants such as lead are among the top 20 reported by nurses to the Environmental Protection Agency.
D) Many Americans live in areas that do not meet current national ambient air quality standards.

Question 19

Employees have the "right to know" about the hazardous chemicals with which they work through which of the following?

A) Material Safety Data Sheets
B) Consumer Confidence Report
C) Hazard Communication Standard
D) Environmental Protection Agency

Question 20

Which of the following is considered a non-point source of pollution?

A) Hazardous waste site
B) Animal waste from wildlife
C) Chlorine poured down a well
D) Stagnant water

Question 21

Which of the following environmental laws sets basic structure for regulating pollutants to U.S. waters?

A) Safe Drinking Water Act
B) Toxic Substance Control Act
C) Clean Water Act
D) Pollution Prevention Act

Question 22

An acceptable level of emissions or a maximum contaminant level allowed is an example of which of the following environmental protection strategies?

A) Controlling pollution
B) Waste minimization
C) Land use planning
D) Environmental standard

Question 23

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 which of the following environmental protection strategies?

A) Controlling pollution
B) Waste minimization
C) Land use planning
D) Environmental monitoring

Question 24

When assessing environmental health risks, a nurse can use more than one approach. The risks can be assessed by which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) Asking legislators to provide a list of environmental pollutants in the area
B) Developing a list of exposures associated with urban, rural, or suburban settings
C) Assessing the risk by media such as air, water, soil, and food
D) Dividing the environment into functional locations: home, school, workplace, and community

Question 25

The first step in the process of controlling pollution is:

A) Setting standards
B) Monitoring
C) Permitting
D) Compliance