A government official reports to the health department that an employee was possibly exposed to anthrax. Which of the following actions should a public health nurse take?
Refer coworkers who might have been exposed to a provider for prophylactic antibiotics
Place the employee under quarantine for 14 days.
Alert the family members of coworkers about their possible exposure to anthrax.
Instruct the client to wear a mask at work.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Refer coworkers who might have been exposed to a provider for prophylactic antibiotics: Anthrax exposure can be fatal if not treated early. Public health protocols recommend prophylactic antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin or doxycycline for those potentially exposed. Timely referral helps prevent the onset of disease.
B. Place the employee under quarantine for 14 days: Quarantine is typically used for contagious diseases that spread person to person, such as COVID-19 or influenza. Anthrax is not spread between individuals, so quarantining an exposed person is unnecessary and not a standard public health measure for this pathogen.
C. Alert the family members of coworkers about their possible exposure to anthrax: Because anthrax does not spread from person to person, there is no need to notify family members of potential exposure. Such an action could cause unnecessary alarm and would not contribute to effective disease control or prevention.
D. Instruct the client to wear a mask at work: Wearing a mask does not prevent the progression of anthrax in an exposed individual nor does it protect others, as anthrax is not contagious between humans. This measure would not address the exposure risk or help in disease managemet.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Shut the doors and windows of the room: Closing doors and windows helps to contain the fire and reduce the spread of smoke. However, this should be done only after ensuring the immediate safety of the client, as human life always takes precedence over property or containment.
B. Activate the alarm: Activating the fire alarm alerts others to the danger and initiates the facility’s fire response plan. While essential, it is not the first action if a client’s life is at immediate risk due to proximity to the fire.
C. Move the client to another location: Client safety is the highest priority in any emergency. The nurse should immediately remove the client from the danger area before addressing containment or notification steps. This action aligns with the “Rescue” step of the RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish) protocol.
D. Attempt to extinguish the fire: Using a fire extinguisher is appropriate only if the nurse has been trained and the fire is small and manageable. However, it is not the priority when a client is present and at risk, as attempting to extinguish the fire could delay evacuation and jeopardize safety.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Develop content appropriate to learner needs: Developing content is a subsequent step. To create truly appropriate content, the nurse first needs to understand what the target audience (young adults) already knows, what their misconceptions are, and what specific information they need and are interested in.
B. Arrange for computer-assisted learning: This is a strategy for delivering the education but not the first step. It should come after identifying learner needs and planning content accordingly to ensure effectiveness.
C. Collect data to identify learners' current knowledge base: This is the first and most critical step. A needs assessment allows the nurse to tailor the program to the audience’s existing knowledge, misconceptions, and educational requirements, ensuring that the intervention is relevant and impactful.
D. Identify topics with health department nurses: Consulting other professionals is helpful, but the initial step should focus directly on the target learners to ensure the program meets their specific needs.
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