Which conclusion can be drawn concerning efforts to decrease environmental pollution?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Legislation in the 1970s was aimed toward a comprehensive national environmental policy. The momentum slowed in the 1980s, with policies being reversed and regulation losing its funding. This trend has continued. The EPA sets rules but lacks resources to accomplish the goals. There are no federal mandates for recycling, but local communities have made great strides in this area.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: More than 45 million Americans obtain water from private wells, which have no treatment or monitoring guidelines. Water quality problems include dosing reservoirs with chemicals to reduce algae, contaminating aquifers with pesticides and fertilizers, and leaching lead from water pipes. Underground water cannot be cleansed. Companies demand high reimbursement when asked to stop dumping heavy metals into local water sources and the frequent occurrence of water-related diseases (cholera, typhoid, dysentery) are not current problems with the water quality in the United States.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: State health department. This is the best source of data for the nurse as it provides accurate and up-to-date information on environmental threats specific to the community. The state health department collects data from various sources, conducts surveillance, and monitors environmental factors that may pose a risk to public health. They have the expertise and resources to analyze and report on environmental threats, making them a reliable source for the nurse. A: The CINAHL database is more focused on nursing and allied health research, not specifically on community environmental threats. B: The National Library of Medicine is a valuable resource for medical information but may not have community-specific environmental threat data. D: The closest local library may not have the specialized information needed on community environmental threats compared to the state health department.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because it addresses the specific issue of sore hands due to potential exposure to chemicals, advising the nurse to check the material safety data sheet for any chemicals used recently. This response is appropriate as it directly targets a possible cause of the nurse's sore hands, ensuring her safety. Option A is too broad and does not provide a direct solution to the issue. Option B suggests seeking information from colleagues rather than investigating the specific cause. Option C involves contacting an external agency, which may not be necessary at this stage. Therefore, option D is the best choice as it focuses on identifying potential chemical exposure, leading to a practical solution for the nurse's problem.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Teaching new employees who will work outdoors about the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. This choice aligns with primary prevention strategies as it aims to educate employees about potential health risks before they occur. By teaching employees about heat-related illnesses, the nurse can help prevent these illnesses from happening in the first place. This proactive approach is a key characteristic of primary prevention. The other choices are incorrect: A: Checking radiation detectors to monitor for unsafe levels of radiation exposure is more of a monitoring or surveillance activity rather than a primary prevention strategy. B: Irrigating the eyes of an employee who has had a chemical splash to the face is a form of immediate treatment or first aid after an exposure has occurred, not a primary prevention strategy. D: Using spirometry to rule out obstructive or restrictive lung disease for workers who will be wearing mask respirators is more related to secondary prevention, focusing on early detection and treatment of health conditions rather than preventing them from happening in