Question 1

A correctional nurse is visiting a local community college to participate in a career day discussion. When describing this role, which information would the nurse include in the discussion?

Accepted Answer

Salaries depend upon the state, although they tend to be higher salaries than in other nursing fields. Moreover, correctional nurses usually receive extensive employee benefits and insurance packages as government employees. Correctional nurses must have good mental health and assessment skills. They must be able to communicate well and be strong nursing advocates and strong advocates for their clients. They work in an intense environment where their safety could be threatened, and they must deal with clients who may be noncompliant, combative, and manipulative. Correctional nurses must also be very flexible and knowledgeable about a variety of nursing specialties.

Question 2

A school nurse is addressing the dental health issues of the local community of school children. Which activity would be most appropriate at the community level?

Accepted Answer

At a community level, school nurses can educate the public about the benefits of dental fluoride treatments. They can advocate for fluoridation of drinking water, school-based fluoride rinses or gels, and dental sealant programs. At the classroom level, school nurses can provide dental education and provide toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss to ensure that students are able to practice good dental hygiene habits. At an individual level, school nurses can assist in finding resources for those with no dental health insurance. Finally, school nurses can successfully educate parents regarding the importance of oral and dental health.

Question 3

Which conditions would the school nurse who is dealing with a primarily adolescent school population focus on? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Many of the health issues that modern adolescents face are a result of their own choices and high-risk activity; for example, sexual activity, substance abuse, injury, and violence. Eating disorders are most prevalent in adolescent girls. Suicide is a leading cause of death of adolescents, with boys more likely to die from suicide than girls. Dental sealants are more appropriate for elementary school children.

Question 4

A public health nurse is conducting a program for a group of nurses that describes the opportunities for public health nursing, school nursing, and correctional nursing. The nurse determines that the program was successful based on which statement by the group about the common roles and functions of these three specialties?

Accepted Answer

Nurses in all of these areas serve the population as client as opposed to individuals as clients. Emphasis is placed on prevention of disease or disability. These community nurses all work in settings that are supported by public funds, but the amount of pay varies. All of these specialties of nursing can influence the health of vulnerable populations.

Question 5

A public health nurse is working at the secondary level of prevention in the community to address the issue of cervical cancer. Which activity would the nurse most likely be involved with?

Accepted Answer

At the secondary level of prevention, a public health nurse would provide Pap smear testing at regular intervals. Encouraging the use of condoms for sexual activity and administering HPV vaccine at the recommended ages are primary prevention activities. Providing emotional support after surgical treatment is a tertiary prevention activity.

Question 6

A school nurse is working with a child diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). When providing care for this child, which interventions would the school nurse most likely implement? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

When providing care to a child in school with ADHD, collaboration is needed between the child's family, the school, and the child's health care provider to diagnose ADHD and effectively plan appropriate interventions and educational accommodations. Teacher confirmation of ADHD-related behaviors is very important. School nurses can assist parents in recognizing the symptoms of ADHD and obtaining appropriate treatment and follow-up. A multimodal treatment approach may include stimulant medication, usually methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, and amphetamine, or antidepressants. Family and individual counseling, parent support groups, and training in behavior management techniques, as well as family education about the condition, are also essential features of this method of treatment. Not all children and adolescents respond to medication, and medication dosage must be carefully monitored and titrated.

Question 7

A school nurse working in an elementary school is reviewing the individualized education plans (IEPs) for a group of students. The nurse understands that an IEP should be completed for children with which conditions? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Disabilities eligible for IEPs include hearing impairment, intellectual disability, and traumatic brain injury. Conditions such as diabetes and asthma would require an individualized health plan.

Question 8

A school nurse is reading a journal article about common chronic conditions associated with school-aged children and common procedures performed by school nurses. Which procedure would the nurse find as being done most often?

Accepted Answer

The most common procedures done by school nurses include first aid (98.4%), nebulizer treatments and inhalers (96.8% and 95.2%, respectively), along with wound care (90.5%), and glucose monitoring (87.3%). Urinary catheterizations, insulin injections, and gastrostomy tube feedings were less common but were done by many school nurses.

Question 9

A public health nurse is interested in contacting a federal agency to obtain information about strategies to assist with the medically underserved populations in the community. Which agency would be most helpful for the nurse to contact?

Accepted Answer

The Health Resources and Services Administration is responsible for the medically underserved, including those receiving Medicare and Medicaid, those with HIV/AIDS, women and children, as well as health professions, and primary health care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is responsible for health surveillance and the prevention of disease as well as bioterrorism. The National Institutes of Health is responsible for medical research. The Food and Drug Administration ensures the safety of food, medication, medical procedures, and equipment.

Question 10

A nurse is preparing the nursing students for a clinical rotation in school nursing. Which statement by the nursing students indicates additional teaching is needed after the educational session about the various activities of a school nurse?

Accepted Answer

School nurses are involved in a variety of activities including nursing care with special health needs, general and emergency first aid, oral health and dental education, immunization assessment and monitoring, medication administration, assessment of acute health problems, health examinations, and referrals. School nurses are involved in school legislation regarding health issues and not curriculums.

Question 11

A nurse is teaching nursing students about public health initiatives. Which statement by the nurse best summarizes why funding for public health is important?

Accepted Answer

Funding public health protects our communities and kids, saves lives, and saves money. Prevention of communicable diseases is achieved by immunization campaigns of each state. By saving lives, smoking cessation has decreased smoking across the United States. Health resources provided by state organization do keep communities strong but that is a state initiative and not a summary statement of why funding for public health is important.

Question 12

A nurse is teaching about the mission, core values, and service of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. Which professions have a role in this federal program? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Multiple professions have a role in the U.S. Public Health Service. All health disciplines are supported including physicians, nurses, therapists, dieticians, dentists, and pharmacists. Others include scientists, engineers, and environmental health. Police officers are not included.

Question 13

A nurse who is currently working as a school nurse is reviewing the standards of practice for school nursing. Which are included standards?

Accepted Answer

The Standards of Practice for the 21st Century School Nursing Practice includes clinical competence, clinical guidelines, code of ethics, critical thinking, evidence-based practice, NASN position statements, and scope and standards of practice. Advocacy and being a lifelong learner are parts of the leadership role. Using motivational interviewing is a skill used in care coordination.

Quiz 28: Public Settings