CH 8: Environmental Health Related to Nursing Flashcards

1
Q

is essential for optimal health and health care.

A

healthy environment

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2
Q

what types of exposures do we see in the environment and how do they affect us

A

chemical, biological, and radiological exposures that affect our health in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the products we use

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3
Q

environmental exposures rarely limited to:

A

one location or once source

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4
Q

nurses role in environmental health

A

Nurses need to know how to assess for environmental health risks and develop educational and other preventive interventions to help individuals, families, and communities understand and, where possible, decrease the risks

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5
Q

the chapter explores basic competencies from what sources

A

Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) General Environmental Health Competencies of Nurses (Box 8.1)

ANA Scope and Standards for Environmental Health (2007)

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6
Q

the basic science that studies the health effects associated with chemical exposure

A

toxicology

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7
Q

the science that helps us understand the strength of the association between exposures and health effects in human populations

A

epidemiology

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8
Q

epidemiology triangle**

A

agent
host
environment

Geographic information systems (GIS)

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9
Q

multidisciplinary approaches including nursing competencies

A

-In addition to toxicology and epidemiology, some earth sciences help explain how pollutants travel in air, water, and soil.
-Geologists, meteorologists, and chemists all contribute information to help understand how and when humans may be exposed to hazardous chemicals, radiation (such as radon), and biological contaminants.
-The public health field also depends on food safety specialists, sanitarians, radiation specialists, and industrial hygienists.
-The nature of environmental health requires a multidisciplinary approach to assess and decrease environmental health risks.

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10
Q

how the environment effects our health:

A

air pollution
inadequate water sanitation
chemicals
radiation ‘community noise
occupational rises
agricultural practices
built environments
climate change

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11
Q

sources of mercury exposures

A

air
water
fish
amalgam fillings
cosmetics, lotions, and fragrances
vaccines (US Vaccines no longer carry thimerosal unless used in multidose flu vaccines)
mercury thermometers
batteries
light bulbs
electronics

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12
Q

sources of lead exposure

A

paint
water
cosmetics
some jewlery/toys
wildfire smoke

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13
Q

lead poisoning effects on children

A

-damage to the brain and nervous system
-slowed growth and development
-learning and behavior problems
-hearing and speech problems

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14
Q

the effects of lead poising on children can cause:

A

-lower IQ
-decreased ability to pay attention (ADHD)
-underperformance at school
-impulsiveness
-behavior regulation

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15
Q

lead poising on adults can cause

A

CV disease
liver/kidney disease
pregnancy complications

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16
Q

amount of lead normal in children

A

Should be less than 3.5 μg/dL

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17
Q

indoor air quality problems in rental property issues

A

allergens
roaches
mice
mold
carbon monoxide

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18
Q

air quality issue with the outdoors

A

near factories

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19
Q

three R’s of reducing environmental health risks

A

reduce
reuse
recycle

20
Q

reducing environmental health risks

A

apply basic principles of disease prevention
Appropriate disposal of materials (incineration, water discharge, landfilling or burying in soil)

21
Q

the right information to the right people at the right time.

A

risk communication

22
Q

essential for makingvdecisions regarding environmental health.

A

ethics

23
Q

Enforcement of standards and regulations

A

Governmental Environmental Protection

24
Q

things happening from Governmental Environmental Protection

A

Manages environmental exposures through the development and enforcements of standards and regulations.
Educates public about risks and risk reductions.
Environmental Protection Agency; Food and Drug Administration; Department of Agriculture; and local health department.

25
Q

populations to be aware of as a nurse wit environmental health

A

elderly
pregnant women
childrem

26
Q

environmental risk for elderly

A

altered sense of cold/heat, may have lower resistance or ability to manage exposure

27
Q

children are especially at risk because:

A

Breathe more rapidly than adults = great exposure to air pollutants
Bodies work differently than adults: blood-brain barrier, kidneys, growing bodies

28
Q

problems with heat and climate change

A

Heat related illness has increased
Continuum of symptoms, not necessarily rigid categories
May not permanently resolve!

29
Q

heat conditions from climate change

A

heat stroke
heat exhaustion
heat cramps
sunburn
heat rash

30
Q

what is the built environment

A

Human-made surroundings created for the daily activities of people Includes a range of physical and social elements that make up a community

31
Q

poor communities often have a built environment with:

A

limited resources
higher pollution
poorer maintenance of buildings
fewer options for outside activities
a smaller selection of goods and limited transportation
all leading to poorer health

32
Q

the built environment includes:

A

all of the physical parts of where we live and work (e.g., homes, buildings, streets, open spaces, and infrastructure).

33
Q

environmental health risks disproportionately affect people at/below the poverty line and people of color in the United States

A

environmental health disparities

34
Q

People at/below the poverty line are more likely to:

A

live near a hazardous waste site or an incinerator
have children with lead poisoning
have children with asthma, which has a strong association with environmental exposures.

35
Q

equal protection from environmental hazards for individuals, groups, or communities regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic status.

A

environmental justice

36
Q

Chronic negative environmental factors can lead to chronic or sustained stress response system activation

A

Toxic Traumatic Stress

37
Q

regional brain alterations from toxic traumatic stress

A

convert an individual’s physiological stress responses into toxic stress responses - the person perceives benign experiences as life-threatening events

38
Q

the alteration in the brain from toxic traumatic stress may promote:

A

maladaptive coping skills – social and behavioral- resulting in health consequences.

39
Q

ways to ameliorate effects of toxic stress:

A

 Lifelong process!!!! Not a “one and done”!!!
 Policy leading to money for mental health (for example:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/strategic-planning-reports
 Programs to improve the mental health of children and adults
 Various approaches to therapy
 Dr. McGovern’s research focuses on improving the mental and
physical health of children

40
Q

Healthy People 2030 Objectives for Environmental Health

A

Eliminate elevated lead blood levels in children.
Minimize risks posed by hazardous sites.
Reduce significant pesticide exposures.
Reduce the amount of toxic pollutants.
Reduce indoor allergen levels.
Decrease lead-based paint or related hazards.

41
Q

As communicators and educators, nurses can do the following:

A

Write letters to local newspapers responding to environmental health issues affecting the community
Participate in blogs or other web mediums that capture the attention of people about the environment and threats to it.
Serve as a credible source of information at community gatherings, formal governmental hearings, and professional nursing forums.
Volunteer to serve on state, local, or federal commissions. Know the zoning and permit laws that regulate the effects of industry and land use on the community.
Read, listen, and ask questions. As informed citizens, nurses can lead in fostering community action to address threats to environmental health.

42
Q

nurses part in guiding and driving policy

A

1 in every 100 Americans is a registered nurse!
Nurses have a responsibility to be informed and take action in the best interest of public.
Nurses can serve as resources for state and federal legislators and staff.
Nurses also work as advocates for environmental justice and rights of others.

43
Q

Caused by unmanaged, chronic workplace stress

A

nurse burnout

44
Q

early signs of burnout

A

You feel constantly overworked
You regularly feel too tired to go to work
You don’t look forward to your job
You feel unappreciated or like your work doesn’t matter

45
Q

Nurse Burnout Prevention

A

Begins with awareness: Knowing yourself and your body!!!
Rest
Ask for help
Exercise
Eat well – lay off the Takis and Oreos!
Take your breaks!!! At work and at home!!
Stress management education