What is the primary goal of integrating environmental health into nursing practice?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The primary goal of integrating environmental health into nursing practice is to promote environmental justice. This involves addressing disparities in exposure to environmental hazards and ensuring equitable access to a healthy environment for all individuals. By prioritizing environmental justice, nurses can advocate for policies and practices that protect vulnerable populations and prevent environmental health risks. Improving health care infrastructure (A) focuses on healthcare facilities, not environmental health. Enhancing patient satisfaction (B) is important but not the primary goal of environmental health integration. Reducing healthcare costs (D) is a benefit but not the main purpose of addressing environmental health in nursing practice.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Biomonitoring data. Biomonitoring involves assessing the presence of chemicals in biological samples like blood and urine to measure human exposure. It provides direct evidence of exposure levels and potential health risks. Toxicology data (A) focuses on the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms. Exposure assessments (C) involve evaluating the routes and levels of exposure to chemicals. Environmental burden (D) refers to the overall impact of environmental factors on health, not specific chemical presence in biological samples. Therefore, biomonitoring data is the most appropriate choice for assessing the presence of certain chemicals in blood and urine samples from a community.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, using rainwater harvesting for drinking water. This strategy promotes sustainability, reduces water consumption, and minimizes environmental impact. Composting organic matter (A) is beneficial but not directly related to improving environmental health. Disposing of electronics with household trash (B) contributes to e-waste pollution. Keeping windows tightly shut (D) may help with energy efficiency but does not address environmental health directly. By promoting rainwater harvesting, the nurse can educate the community on a practical, eco-friendly solution for improving environmental health.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Assessing measures to reduce exposure to contaminated water. This activity falls under the assurance function of public health, ensuring that necessary actions are taken to protect and promote health. By assessing measures to reduce exposure, the nurse is actively involved in implementing strategies to mitigate the health risks associated with contaminated water. A: Educating the community about the need to boil contaminated drinking water falls under the function of health education or promotion rather than assurance. B: Collecting data about health issues related to contaminated drinking water is part of the assessment function, not assurance. C: Developing policies to regulate the discharge of pollutants into waterways is a function related to policy development, not assurance.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it involves actively engaging the patient in their care by having them complete a self-reported functional status indicator and then reviewing it together. This empowers the patient, encourages their participation in decision-making, and ensures their preferences and needs are considered. Choice B focuses on technology rather than patient involvement. Choice C is important but does not directly involve the patient in their care. Choice D is necessary but does not prioritize patient engagement. Thus, choice A best exemplifies patient-centered care by promoting collaboration and respecting the patient's autonomy.