Question 1

After teaching a group of community health nursing students about the trends affecting occupational and environmental health nursing, the instructor determines that more teaching is needed when the students identify which as a trend?

Accepted Answer

Four critical issues affect the practice of occupational and environmental health nursing. First, the downturn in the global economy, and in the economy of the United States specifically, has skeletonized many worksites, shut down companies, eliminated night or evening shifts, or moved companies to less expensive communities. Second, increasing worldwide competition requires businesses to remain competitive by reducing or controlling operating costs at the lowest level possible. Third, there has been an increase in technologic hazards that require a sophisticated approach as well as knowledge of toxicology, epidemiology, ergonomics, and public health principles. Fourth, health care costs continue to escalate at faster rates than most company profits do.

Question 2

Which activity would an occupational and environmental health nurse expect to perform in the future based on current trends?

Accepted Answer

Future occupational health nurse activities will involve recommending more efficient and cost-effective in-house health services. Supervising care for emergency illnesses, counseling employees about health risks, and performing periodic health assessments are current occupational and environmental health nursing activities.

Question 3

Which information would an occupational and environmental health nurse need to keep in mind when selecting the field of nursing?

Accepted Answer

Unlike hospitals or ambulatory care centers, the workplace is a non-health care institution in which production or service (not health care) is the primary goal. The occupational and environmental health nurse participates in the organization's goals through activities that contribute to the productivity of the workforce. An occupational and environmental health nurse in the organization is in a staff position, taking on the role of a consultant, educator, or role model in the workplace but has no supervisory responsibilities or power to hire or fire workers.

Question 4

A community health nursing student is interviewing several occupational and environmental health nurses about their experiences. Each of the nurses works in a small organization and is the only nurse for the company. Which would the student most likely note as being similar among the nurses?

Accepted Answer

The occupational and environmental health nurse, especially in smaller organizations, may be the only nurse in the company. As a result, she or he has none of the on-site consultation and direction that are needed for comfortable, competent, and independent decision- making. Nurses who use critical thinking skills to develop a framework for independent problem-solving enhance their efficiency. In addition, the nurse may feel isolated because of being the only health professional. The corporate culture and leadership may foster work overload, be nonsupportive, and have limited career opportunities for the nurse. The nurse may experience role ambiguity due to a lack of professional preparation or inadequate orientation and continuing education.

Question 5

Which statement about the educational preparation for occupational and environmental health nursing is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Ideally, a nurse would be prepared for these specialties at the graduate level. It is a minimum requirement that the nurse be licensed, but there is a special knowledge set and skill set required for this position. A bachelor's degree in nursing is not required for this job but would be a good start. This career option is not restricted to advanced practice nurses.

Question 6

Which adverse working conditions may impact the health status of nurses? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Nurses may be exposed to physical, radiation, biological, and chemical hazards. Nursing is not considered to be a low-paying job.

Question 7

After discussing the effects of shift work on workers' health, the nurse educator knows that the nursing students understand this concept when the nursing students make which comment?

Accepted Answer

Rotating shifts negatively impacts sleep and rest cycles. It is not beneficial for workers to have their circadian rhythms disturbed. Shift work may interfere with a person's social life but that is not a primary effect on health. Insufficient sleep is associated with obesity and diabetes.

Question 8

Which statement about nurse entrepreneurship in community/public health practice is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Nurse entrepreneurship allows for innovation in meeting the needs of the community. Nurse entrepreneurs are not most commonly associated with institutions. It is very difficult for a nurse to become an entrepreneur. There may be failure in nurse entrepreneurship, but without the risk of failure, it is not possible to advance.

Question 9

Which principle represents the central to the role of the faith community nurse (FCN)?

Accepted Answer

A holistic relationship between physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions of the person is central to the role of the FCN. Community support is not central to FCN. While being of service and having faith consistent with those served in the parish, it is not the central aspect of FCN.

Question 10

Which statement made by the student nurse indicates a need for further teaching from the faith community nurse (FCN)?

Accepted Answer

FCN is one of the newest nursing specialties and one of the oldest means of health care delivery. The scope and standards of practice does suggest that FCN is a recognized specialty of nursing. FCNs often perform health education that aligns with national issues and engage in health promotion interventions that integrate spiritual practices into their approaches.

Question 11

The faith community nurse (FCN) is partnering with a local health department to develop primary prevention activities. Which would the FCN use as a guide for the development?

Accepted Answer

FCNs develop and implement a variety of health programs that address the health needs of their congregants. Many programs have been implemented that address the leading health indicators of Healthy People 2020. While the FCN would need to collaborate with the local health department since they are partnering, it would not be used primarily as a guide description for primary prevention activities. Journal articles and the National Patient Safety Goals provide important information; the FCN would not use them as a guide to develop primary prevention activities.

Question 12

The occupational nurse in a factory is offering free hearing screenings. Which level of prevention would the nurse be implementing?

Accepted Answer

This activity would be classified as a secondary prevention measure that aims to reduce the impact of a disease or injury that has already occurred. Primary prevention aims to prevent disease or injury before it ever occurs. Tertiary aims to soften the impact of an ongoing illness or injury that has lasting effects. Health promotion measures fall under primary prevention.

Question 13

The occupational nurse in a factory is providing a class on safe lifting procedures for employees. Which level of prevention would the nurse be implementing?

Accepted Answer

This activity would be classified as a primary prevention measure that aims to prevent disease or injury before it ever occurs. Secondary prevention aims to reduce the impact of a disease or injury that has already occurred. Tertiary aims to soften the impact of an ongoing illness or injury that has lasting effects. Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. It moves beyond a focus on individual behavior toward a wide range of social and environmental interventions.

Question 14

A nurse who works in home health has stated to the manager of the division that the nurse has been experiencing pain in the wrists after working all day. Which type of hazard is the nurse experiencing?

Accepted Answer

The work environment for nurses can have a significant impact on workers' health. A safe and supportive work environment can contribute to the well-being of employees. Nurses encounter physical hazards such as lifting clients in bed without mechanical devices or repetitive motions such as documenting care on a computer or tablet. Biological hazards are associated with blood and body fluids, as well as infectious diseases. Radiation hazards may exist when working with clients undergoing radiation therapy. Chemical hazards are associated with chemotherapy or other noxious fumes.

Question 15

A nurse is reviewing the numbers of clients using health centers over time.-Which statement best summarizes the data from 2000 through 2018?

Accepted Answer

The data from 2000 to 2018 show a 196% increase in clients utilizing health centers. There has been a steady increase but 196% is a more accurate description. There are no data to support clients using hospitals. Every 9 years, there has been an increase in clients using health centers.

Quiz 29: Private Settings