Several employees who have a 10-year or longer history of smoking ask the occupational nurse for assistance with smoking cessation. The RN develops a 2-month program that includes weekly group sessions on lifestyle changes and use of OTC products. Which measurement provides the best indication of the program's effectiveness?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Surveying the employees about their smoking habits provides measurable data on program effectiveness. By collecting data directly from the employees through surveys, the occupational nurse can track changes in smoking habits, frequency, and quantity of cigarettes smoked. This direct feedback allows for a more accurate assessment of the program's impact on smoking cessation. Choices A and B rely on self-disclosure and may not provide reliable or objective data. Choice D does not directly measure changes in smoking habits but rather observes behavior in designated areas, which may not reflect overall smoking cessation progress.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D - 'overcrowding and its effect.' While overcrowding is an important topic, it will be given least priority compared to the other choices when conducting health education sessions for a group of mothers. Proper selection and preparation of food (Choice A) is crucial for ensuring adequate nutrition, handwashing before preparing food (Choice B) is essential for preventing foodborne illnesses, and cutting children's fingernails short (Choice C) is important for maintaining good hygiene. Overcrowding, although significant in the context of public health, might be considered less immediately relevant for a group of mothers in a health education session focused on more direct and practical aspects of family health and hygiene.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Ascites, the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, is a common complication of cirrhosis. Diuretics are the primary intervention to manage ascites by promoting the excretion of excess fluid from the body, thus reducing abdominal swelling. Restricting fluid intake (Choice A) would not be appropriate as it may lead to dehydration. Increasing sodium intake (Choice B) is contraindicated as it can worsen fluid retention. Encouraging a high-protein diet (Choice C) is not directly related to managing ascites.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Echolalia (repeating others' words) and a shuffling gait are common symptoms of Parkinson's disease. These symptoms result from the degeneration of the basal ganglia in the brain that controls movement and speech. Choice A is incorrect because non-intention tremors are not typically associated with Parkinson's disease. Choice C is incorrect as muscle spasm and a bent-over posture are not classic manifestations of Parkinson's disease. Choice D is incorrect since intention tremors and jerky movement of the elbows are not characteristic of Parkinson's disease.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Occupational health nursing focuses on educating workers about health, promoting health through appropriate and effective ways, and planning and administering health services in the workplace. Immediate diagnosis of illness prevailing in the work field is typically not the primary role of occupational health nursing, as it usually involves prevention, education, and health promotion rather than diagnosing acute conditions.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct information the nurse should provide is that anthrax infection occurs when spores enter a host. Choice B is incorrect as mature anthrax bacteria do not live dormant on inanimate objects. Choice C is incorrect as anthrax spores can survive for extended periods outside a living host. Choice D is incorrect as anthrax is not transmitted by respiratory droplets from person to person.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In the process of community empowerment, community health nurses should form partnerships with the community rather than making decisions for them, gathering data alone, or accepting responsibility for their actions. Forming partnerships ensures that the community is actively involved in decision-making processes, leading to sustainable and effective outcomes. Gathering data is important but not the central aspect of empowerment, while accepting responsibility for people's actions is not a core principle of empowerment but rather promoting accountability within the community.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Secondary prevention. Secondary prevention aims to detect and treat disease early to prevent complications. Teaching about the importance of regular health screenings helps in early detection and intervention, which aligns with the goals of secondary prevention. Choice A, Primary prevention, involves actions to prevent the onset of a health condition. Choice C, Tertiary prevention, focuses on managing and treating existing conditions to prevent further complications. Choice D, Quaternary prevention, relates to actions taken to mitigate or avoid unnecessary interventions, over-medicalization, and the consequences of unnecessary treatment.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Community health nurses play a crucial role in influencing the health of communities by engaging in health promotion activities and influencing health behaviors. Choice A is incorrect as community health nurses do not legislate health behavior but rather educate and promote healthy behaviors. Choice B is incorrect as while community health nurses may record health data, their main focus is on proactive health promotion and intervention, not just documenting health status. Choice D is incorrect because community health nurses actively work to influence health status and behaviors.