An employee presents to an occupational health nurse with concerns that their hearing is worse on one side. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first to address the employee's concern?
Conduct a physical examination.
Irrigate the ear to remove any obstruction.
Advise the client on the use of ear plugs.
Refer the client to an audiologist.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Conducting a physical examination is the first step in addressing the employee's concern about hearing loss. This examination allows the nurse to assess the ear for any visible issues, such as earwax buildup, infection, or structural abnormalities. A thorough physical examination can help identify the cause of the hearing loss and determine the appropriate next steps. It is essential to rule out any immediate and easily treatable conditions before proceeding with more specialized interventions.
Choice B Reason:
Irrigating the ear to remove any obstruction, such as earwax, can be an effective treatment for hearing loss caused by cerumen impaction. However, this should only be done after a physical examination confirms that earwax is the cause of the hearing loss. Irrigation without proper assessment can potentially cause harm, especially if there is an underlying infection or perforation of the eardrum.
Choice C Reason:
Advising the client on the use of ear plugs is a preventive measure to protect hearing, particularly in noisy environments. However, this advice does not address the immediate concern of unilateral hearing loss. Ear plugs are more relevant for preventing further hearing damage rather than diagnosing or treating existing hearing issues.
Choice D Reason:
Referring the client to an audiologist is an important step if the initial physical examination does not reveal the cause of the hearing loss or if the hearing loss persists despite initial treatment. Audiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating hearing disorders and can perform comprehensive hearing tests. However, this referral should come after the nurse has conducted a preliminary assessment to rule out any obvious and treatable causes.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A: "For Best Results, Collaboration in the Community Should Be Limited to a Smaller Number of Groups Sharing Common Backgrounds and Interests."
This statement is incorrect. Effective collaboration in community health involves bringing together diverse groups with different backgrounds and interests. This diversity enriches the collaborative process by incorporating a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and expertise, which can lead to more comprehensive and effective solutions to community health issues.
Choice B: "I Will Act Only in a Subservient Role, Taking Direction from Community Leaders in Collaborative Efforts."
This statement is also incorrect. While it is important to respect and work with community leaders, effective collaboration requires active participation and contribution from all team members, including the public health nurse. Collaboration is a partnership where all members share responsibility and contribute their knowledge and skills to achieve common goals.
Choice C: "Collaboration Allows Key Stakeholders to Share Differing Viewpoints."
This is the correct statement. Collaboration in community health is about bringing together key stakeholders to share their differing viewpoints and expertise. This inclusive approach ensures that all relevant perspectives are considered, leading to more holistic and effective strategies for addressing community health issues.
Choice D: "I Will Encourage Subpopulations to Develop Unique Goals to Meet Their Unique Needs."
While it is important to recognize and address the unique needs of subpopulations, this statement does not fully capture the essence of collaboration. Effective collaboration involves integrating the goals and needs of various subpopulations into a cohesive strategy that benefits the entire community. Encouraging subpopulations to develop unique goals is part of the process, but it should be done within the context of a collaborative effort.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Autonomy refers to respecting an individual's right to make their own decisions. In the context of healthcare, it means allowing patients to make informed choices about their own care. While autonomy is an important ethical principle, it is not the primary focus when considering the balance of benefits and harms in a community-wide intervention.
Choice B Reason:
Beneficence is the ethical principle that involves acting in the best interest of others by promoting good and preventing harm. In this scenario, the nurse demonstrates beneficence by ensuring that the benefits of the physical activity program substantially outweigh any potential harms. This principle is central to public health initiatives, where the goal is to enhance the well-being of the community.
Choice C Reason:
Nonmaleficence is the principle of "do no harm." It emphasizes the importance of not causing harm to others. While nonmaleficence is closely related to beneficence, the focus in this scenario is on the positive impact of the intervention (beneficence) rather than solely avoiding harm (nonmaleficence).
Choice D Reason:
Justice refers to fairness and equality in the distribution of resources and treatment. It ensures that all individuals have equal access to healthcare and that no group is unfairly disadvantaged. Although justice is a crucial ethical principle, the scenario specifically highlights the balance of benefits and harms, which aligns more closely with beneficence.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today