Chapter 14: Environmental Health Nies: Community/Public Health Nursing, 7th Edition

. Which statement best describes the relationship between the environment and health? a. Because of the large number of variables involved, the relationship between environment and health cannot be researched. b. Because the environment has such long-term effects on health, research findings are not yet available. c. Research shows that a healthy environment has limited impact on one’s health. d. Research shows that a healthy environment increases quality of life and years of healthy living. ANS: D A healthy environment increases quality of life and years of healthy living. Accumulated evidence shows that the environmental changes of the past few decades have profoundly influenced the status of public health. Globally, environmental factors contribute to nearly 25% of all deaths and increase disease burden (World Health Organization, 2016). The safety, beauty, and life-sustaining capacity of the physical environment are unquestionably of global consequence. DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) 2. When using an environmental perspective, which would be the most important question for a nurse to ask when assessing potential health problems? a. “Can you tell me how you have been feeling?” b. “Can you tell me what you do at work?” c. “What brings you here today?” d. “What problems have you been having?” ANS: B Because 25% of worldwide preventable illnesses are caused by poor environmental quality, nurses need to ask critical questions about their clients’ work and home environments to help discern the contributions of specific hazards to their health. This can be accomplished by an environmental health history. The other responses do not address a question that would be addressed during an environmental health history. DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) 3. How does critical theory differ from other nursing theories such as the Health Belief Model or Orem’s self-care deficit theory? a. Critical theory can be used by professionals other than nurses. b. Critical theory focuses on oppression and