Deck 4: Environmental Influences on Population Health

Question 1

An oil storage tank has leaked and the surrounding residential area has been saturated with the leaked oil. Which health precaution should the homeowner take?

A) Use a strong detergent to clean the yards.
B) Avoid planting vegetables in the contaminated soil.
C) Inform the local media regarding the contaminant spill.
D) Install smoke detectors in the home as a fire precaution.

Answer 1

Avoid planting vegetables in the contaminated soil.

Question 2

Due to budget cuts, a community has reduced its garbage pickup frequency from twice a week to once a week. Because of this the population health nurse should be concerned about the potential increase in:

A) Making the area look unsightly.
B) Animal pests that could spread disease.
C) The amount of trash generated per household.
D) Spreading weeds from uncollected grass clippings.

Answer 2

Animal pests that could spread disease.

Question 3

After a series of heavy rains, the nurse in the local health department increases the water monitoring of the local beach because several upstream creeks flow into it. Why did the nurse increase the water monitoring?

A) Monitor the water purity of the creek flow.
B) Make sure that no debris is swept into the water.
C) Make sure that tidal currents are safe for swimming.
D) Monitor the water for potential microorganisms that could prevent safe swimming.

Answer 3

Monitor the water for potential microorganisms that could prevent safe swimming.

Question 4

The amount of trash collected in one community is overwhelming local resources to collect and store it. Which is the best approach for the population health nurse to take to help decrease the amount of generated trash?

A) Encouraging use of fewer polluting products.
B) Promoting recycling efforts in the community.
C) Discouraging overuse of materials that generate trash.
D) Educating the community about overbuying household products.

Question 5

After a hurricane has devastated a community, the population health nurse becomes involved in local recovery efforts. Which tertiary prevention measure should the nurse consider to aid in the recovery of this community?

A) Promote legislation to reduce pollutant emissions.
B) Promote replacement of hazard-producing industrial processes.
C) Screen for the effects of environmental changes that result from the hurricane.
D) Promote environmental policies to prevent recurrence of problems that result from environmental changes caused by the hurricane.

Question 6

While making a home visit the population health nurse learns that the youngest child brought home a stray dog to be taken care of by the family members. What health risks does this child's action pose to the family? (Select all that apply.)

A) Bites.
B) Diseases from fleas.
C) Exposure to noroviruses.
D) Potential rabies exposure.
E) Risk for Clostridium perfringens.

Question 7

Mosquito control services have been reduced in the community and the population health nurse is concerned about the rise of mosquito-borne diseases. What secondary prevention intervention measures should the nurse suggest to community leaders? (Select all that apply.)

A) Instituting an education program about insect control.
B) Promoting ordinances that control insect breeding areas.
C) Monitoring the incidence of diseases caused by mosquitoes.
D) Installing sentinel chicken monitoring stations in local firehouses.
E) Promoting accessibility of diagnostic and treatment services for diseases caused by mosquitoes.

Question 8

As part of a school district health program for students, the nurse visits students diagnosed with asthma at home. Which home environment factor should the nurse identify as contributing to the development of this respiratory disease?

A) Pesticides.
B) Peeling paint.
C) Secondhand smoke.
D) A fuel source for cooking.

Question 9

The population health nurse receives a report that provides statistics on the increasing number of telephone calls made to the poison control hotline. Based on this information, what should the nurse do?

A) Enforce local ordinances for selling household chemical agents.
B) Target homes for poisons contained in household cleaning agents.
C) Promote legislation for restricting hazardous materials in the home.
D) Educate the public about the hazards of household chemicals and medications and their proper storage.

Question 10

The population health nurse is working with city council members to identify environmental factors that negatively impact the health of community members. Which factors should the nurse call to the attention of the council members? (Select all that apply.)

A) Urban sprawl.
B) Gang violence.
C) Green space in communities.
D) Organized recreation programs.
E) Disparities in socioeconomic status.

Question 11

The population health nurse learns of an area within the community that floods after heavy rains. Flooding has been a problem since development of this region over the last several years. What should the nurse realize as the most accurate explanation for the standing water?

A) The drainage system has not been inspected regularly.
B) There are insufficient storm sewers to handle the increased development.
C) There has been an overall change in the precipitation patterns in the region.
D) The development has increased the amount of impervious surfaces that do not absorb the rain water.

Question 12

A once prosperous and thriving neighborhood has become run-down and its residents have a lower socioeconomic status. There is greater unemployment in this neighborhood and the police have seen a rise in crime in unemployed young adults. The population health nurse determines this as being an effect of a declining:

A) Built environment.
B) Social environment.
C) Natural environment.
D) Ecological environment.

Question 13

The population health nurse is aware of many young couples with children purchasing and renovating older community homes. What prevention measure should the nurse implement to ensure the safety of these families?

A) Screen all members for lead levels.
B) Monitor lead levels in the family members.
C) Encourage the safe removal of lead-based paint in the homes.
D) Institute chelating measures for lead removal in the family members.

Question 14

A coal-fired energy plant is built next to a residential area. Since the plant opened the population health nurse notes an increase in respiratory diseases in individuals who live close to the plant. What should the nurse use to explain this phenomenon?

A) Urban sprawl.
B) Poor land use mix.
C) The built environment.
D) The community ecological footprint.

Question 15

During a health fair the population health nurse notes that a child of a family renovating an older home is demonstrating fatigue. What action should the nurse encourage the parents to take?

A) Eat more foods with protein.
B) Have the child go to bed earlier.
C) Screen the child for serum lead levels.
D) Screen the child for hearing difficulties.