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.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Improving their education level could provide the client with a broad selection of coverage plans to choose from. While higher education can lead to better job opportunities and potentially better health insurance options, the direct link between education and the variety of coverage plans is not as strong as the link between education and employment opportunities that offer better benefits.
Choice B Reason:
Returning to school could help a client get a job that allows them to gain access to health insurance that provides more coverage or better benefits. This rationale is based on the idea that higher education often leads to better job prospects. Many jobs that require higher education levels also offer comprehensive health insurance benefits. By improving their education, clients can qualify for positions that provide better health coverage, thus improving their overall health outcomes.
Choice C Reason:
Increasing their education level will help the client be approved for program assistance from certain nonprofit organizations. While some nonprofit organizations may offer assistance based on educational attainment, this is not a common or primary reason for improving health outcomes through education. The focus is more on the employment and insurance benefits that come with higher education.
Choice D Reason:
Returning to school can enable students to be eligible to receive grant money set aside for this purpose. While grants and financial aid can support educational pursuits, they do not directly improve health outcomes. The primary benefit of returning to school in this context is the potential for better employment opportunities and health insurance coverage, not the financial aid itself.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A: Incidence is a Measure of Mortality
This statement is incorrect. Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disease that occur in a specified population during a defined period. It measures the risk of developing the disease, not the number of deaths. Mortality rates, on the other hand, measure the number of deaths due to a disease in a population.
Choice B: Incidence Includes Only People at Risk for the Disease
This statement is correct. The incidence rate is calculated by dividing the number of new cases of a disease by the number of people at risk for the disease in the population during a specified period. This measure helps to understand the likelihood of developing the disease among those who are susceptible.
Choice C: The Denominator for the Incidence Rate Calculation is for the Entire Population
This statement is incorrect. The denominator for the incidence rate calculation should include only those individuals who are at risk of developing the disease, not the entire population. Including the entire population would inaccurately represent the risk, as it would include individuals who cannot develop the disease (e.g., men in the case of breast cancer).
Choice D: New Cases are Not Considered When Calculating an Incidence Rate
This statement is incorrect. The incidence rate specifically measures the number of new cases of a disease that occur in a population during a specified period. Therefore, new cases are a critical component of the incidence rate calculation.
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