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:
The client reports there are bike paths or running trails in their community. This statement indicates a positive aspect of the built environment. The presence of bike paths and running trails promotes physical activity and overall well-being. It does not suggest any faults in the built environment.
Choice B Reason:
The client reports contaminants in their drinking water at home. This statement clearly indicates a faulty built environment. Contaminated drinking water poses significant health risks and reflects poor infrastructure or inadequate maintenance of water supply systems. Ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental aspect of a healthy built environment.
Choice C Reason:
The client reports that there is limited public parking on their street. While limited public parking can be an inconvenience, it does not directly indicate a faulty built environment. Parking availability is more related to urban planning and transportation policies rather than the overall quality of the built environment.
Choice D Reason:
The client reports a lack of community centers in their neighborhood. Although the absence of community centers can affect social interactions and community engagement, it does not necessarily indicate a faulty built environment. It highlights a gap in community resources but does not directly impact the safety or health of the environment.
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.
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