Week 8 Case Study: Environmental Health
Review the following case study and complete the questions that follow. Submit your completed document to Blackboard using the assignment link.
As a nurse practicing within a family practice, you are interviewing a 55-year-old woman who is an executive assistant at a local law firm, where she has worked for 9 years. She has a 7-year history of respiratory illness, which occurs several times throughout the year, not seemingly connected to the changes in season. She does not use tobacco products in any form. During your questions regarding her home and work environments, she reports that she enjoys working adjacent to the courthouse in a building over 100 years old because it is such a contrast to her brand-new home on a local golf course. When describing the health of her coworkers, she indicates, “We all share illnesses, which seem to affect everyone else during the year; we just seem to be sicker more often!”
- What information is pertinent to your client’s case?
- How would you assess your client’s risk?
- What would be an exposure pathway for your client?
Your document should be 1-2 pages in length, in APA format, typed in Times New Roman with 12-point font, double-spaced with 1” margins, and include at least two citations using references less than five years old.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: As a medical professor in charge of designing and conducting lectures, evaluating student performance, and providing feedback to medical college students, I understand the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the healthcare field. In this scenario, a nurse is interviewing a 55-year-old woman who has a history of respiratory illness, and the nurse must assess the client’s risk and exposure pathway to provide appropriate treatment.
1. What information is pertinent to your client’s case?
The client’s history of respiratory illness is a crucial piece of information that is pertinent to her case. The nurse should also inquire about the frequency, duration, and severity of the respiratory symptoms, as well as any triggers or exacerbating factors. Additionally, the nurse should ask about the client’s occupation, work environment, and home environment, including possible exposures to pollutants, dust, mold, or other environmental hazards. Family history of respiratory illness or allergies, medication use, and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and stress levels are also relevant.
2. How would you assess your client’s risk?
To assess the client’s risk, the nurse should perform a thorough physical examination, including a lung function test and chest X-ray if necessary. The nurse should also ask about the client’s exposure to environmental pollutants, such as asbestos, radon, or secondhand smoke, and review any relevant medical records or previous diagnostic tests. The nurse may also refer the client to a specialist, such as an allergist, pulmonary specialist, or environmental health expert, for further evaluation and treatment.
3. What would be an exposure pathway for your client?
Based on the client’s occupation as an executive assistant in an old building adjacent to the courthouse, the client may be exposed to environmental pollutants such as lead, asbestos, or mold that can cause respiratory symptoms. The client’s coworkers’ frequent illnesses may also be indicative of environmental hazards in the workplace. Additionally, the client’s proximity to a golf course may expose her to pesticides or other chemicals. The nurse should investigate these potential exposure pathways further to identify any interventions or recommendations to reduce the client’s risk.
