ATI Community Health Environmental Health Study Guide 2026
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. When conducting an environmental health assessment, the nurse uses the
mnemonic ‘I PREPARE’. What does the first ‘I’ stand for?
A. Identify the source
B. Investigate potential exposure
C. Inform the public
D. Intervene immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: The first step in ‘I PREPARE’ is Investigate potential exposure to determine if
health problems are related to environmental factors.
2. Which of the following is considered a primary prevention strategy for
environmental health?
A. Screening children for lead levels in the blood
B. Treating a patient for carbon monoxide poisoning
C. Educating parents on how to reduce lead exposure in the home
D. Monitoring a community for radon gas levels after detection
Answer: C
Rationale: Primary prevention focuses on education and preventing the exposure from
occurring in the first place.
,3. A community health nurse is teaching a family about radon. Which statement
indicates an understanding of the risk?
A. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
B. Radon is a visible gas that smells like sulfur.
C. Radon only accumulates in modern, airtight homes.
D. Radon is found only in industrial manufacturing plants.
Answer: A
Rationale: Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that naturally occurs in soil and is a
significant cause of lung cancer.
4. In the ‘I PREPARE’ mnemonic, the ‘P’ in ‘Present Work’ includes asking about
which of the following?
A. The age of the client’s home
B. Exposure to PPE or Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
C. Hobbies such as gardening or painting
D. Previous jobs held by the client
Answer: B
Rationale: ‘Present Work’ focuses on current occupational exposures, including chemicals
and the use of protective equipment.
5. A nurse is assessing a child with suspected lead poisoning. Which symptom is
a common manifestation?
A. Productive cough
B. Excessive weight gain
C. Abdominal pain and constipation
D. Increased urinary output
Answer: C
Rationale: Lead poisoning often affects the gastrointestinal system, causing abdominal
pain, constipation, and can lead to neurocognitive delays.
, 6. Which agency is primarily responsible for setting and enforcing standards for
air and water quality?
A. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
B. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
C. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
D. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Answer: C
Rationale: The EPA is the federal agency tasked with protecting human health and the
environment by enforcing regulations related to air and water.
7. What is the goal of ‘Environmental Justice’?
A. To increase taxes on companies that pollute the air
B. To ensure all people have equal protection from environmental hazards
C. To move industrial plants away from urban centers
D. To provide free healthcare to victims of pollution
Answer: B
Rationale: Environmental justice is the fair treatment of all people regardless of race or
income regarding environmental laws and policies.
8. A nurse identifies that a client lives in a home built before 1978. What
environmental hazard is the highest priority?
A. Asbestos
B. Lead-based paint
C. Mold
D. Carbon monoxide
Answer: B
Rationale: Homes built before 1978 are highly likely to contain lead-based paint, which
was banned for residential use that year.
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. When conducting an environmental health assessment, the nurse uses the
mnemonic ‘I PREPARE’. What does the first ‘I’ stand for?
A. Identify the source
B. Investigate potential exposure
C. Inform the public
D. Intervene immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: The first step in ‘I PREPARE’ is Investigate potential exposure to determine if
health problems are related to environmental factors.
2. Which of the following is considered a primary prevention strategy for
environmental health?
A. Screening children for lead levels in the blood
B. Treating a patient for carbon monoxide poisoning
C. Educating parents on how to reduce lead exposure in the home
D. Monitoring a community for radon gas levels after detection
Answer: C
Rationale: Primary prevention focuses on education and preventing the exposure from
occurring in the first place.
,3. A community health nurse is teaching a family about radon. Which statement
indicates an understanding of the risk?
A. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
B. Radon is a visible gas that smells like sulfur.
C. Radon only accumulates in modern, airtight homes.
D. Radon is found only in industrial manufacturing plants.
Answer: A
Rationale: Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that naturally occurs in soil and is a
significant cause of lung cancer.
4. In the ‘I PREPARE’ mnemonic, the ‘P’ in ‘Present Work’ includes asking about
which of the following?
A. The age of the client’s home
B. Exposure to PPE or Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
C. Hobbies such as gardening or painting
D. Previous jobs held by the client
Answer: B
Rationale: ‘Present Work’ focuses on current occupational exposures, including chemicals
and the use of protective equipment.
5. A nurse is assessing a child with suspected lead poisoning. Which symptom is
a common manifestation?
A. Productive cough
B. Excessive weight gain
C. Abdominal pain and constipation
D. Increased urinary output
Answer: C
Rationale: Lead poisoning often affects the gastrointestinal system, causing abdominal
pain, constipation, and can lead to neurocognitive delays.
, 6. Which agency is primarily responsible for setting and enforcing standards for
air and water quality?
A. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
B. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
C. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
D. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Answer: C
Rationale: The EPA is the federal agency tasked with protecting human health and the
environment by enforcing regulations related to air and water.
7. What is the goal of ‘Environmental Justice’?
A. To increase taxes on companies that pollute the air
B. To ensure all people have equal protection from environmental hazards
C. To move industrial plants away from urban centers
D. To provide free healthcare to victims of pollution
Answer: B
Rationale: Environmental justice is the fair treatment of all people regardless of race or
income regarding environmental laws and policies.
8. A nurse identifies that a client lives in a home built before 1978. What
environmental hazard is the highest priority?
A. Asbestos
B. Lead-based paint
C. Mold
D. Carbon monoxide
Answer: B
Rationale: Homes built before 1978 are highly likely to contain lead-based paint, which
was banned for residential use that year.
