6. Environmental Health

Question 1

What is used for individual environmental exposure history?

Answer 1

I PREPARE

• Investigate potential exposures
• Present work
• Residence
• Environmental concerns
• Past work
• Activities
• Referrals and resources
• Educate

Question 2

Sources of environmental exposures

Answer 2

• Air
• Water
• Earth (land/soil)

Question 3

sources of air pollution

Answer 3

• car exhaust

- factories

Question 4

sources of water pollution

Answer 4

• industries/pharmaceuticals

- storm runoff and erosion

Question 5

reports given to show amount of pollutions that are toxic and amount actual present in the water

Answer 5

consumer confidence reports (CCRs)

Question 6

land site that was once used for something but has been cleaned up and reused for another purpose

Answer 6

brownfield site

Question 7

Who do we worry about with air quality index levels?

Answer 7

people w/ respiratory problems

Question 8

information given about any chemical you work with and is required by the EPA

Answer 8

material safety data sheet (MSDS)

Question 9

Why are vulnerable populations at increased risk of environmental health problems?

Answer 9

• substandard housing
• proximity to pollution sources
• employed in more dangerous occupations
• have less access to healthy food options

Question 10

person who goes out and inspects companies and checks pollution levels

Answer 10

public health specialists (not nurses)

Question 11

3 Rs to reduce environmental pollution

Answer 11

• reduce
• reuse
• recycle

Question 12

industrial hygienists hierarch of controls

Answer 12

• eliminate toxic chemicals
• isolate hazardous chemicals from human exposure
• provide proper PPE for exposure
• engineering controls

Question 13

What environmental referral resource do nurses use the most?

Answer 13

poison control centers

Question 14

roles for nurses in environmental health

Answer 14

• community involvement
• individual and population risk assessment
• risk communication
• epidemiologic investigations
• policy development

Question 15

odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer in the US

Answer 15

radon

Question 16

how are people exposed to radon

Answer 16

• breakdown of uranium naturally in the soil

- cracks or opening in foundation or ventilation systems in the home

Question 17

sources of lead exposure

Answer 17

• dust and paint chips from lead-based pain in homes (before 1978)
• soil contaminated w/ lead
• imported glazed pottery
• food, medication, or folk remedies from other counties
• occupation or hobbies involving lead
• drinking water that’s contaminated

Question 18

lead screening guidelines for IL

Answer 18

• screening at 12 months and 24 months for children in high risk zip codes or enrolled in Medicaid/All Kids
• at age 3/4/6 if moved from previous area to high lead area or kid/sibling had previous high level
• lead levels need to be 10mcg/dL or less

Question 19

colorless and odorless gas that is a bi-product of combustion

Answer 19

carbon monoxide

Question 20

what causes carbon monoxide poisoning

Answer 20

improperly vented furnaces, blocked chimneys, and automobile exhaust

Question 21

side effects of carbon monoxide poisoning

Answer 21

• dizziness
• headache
• drowsiness
• nausea
• unconsciousness/death