Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

How does a nurse fulfill the environmental health competency of assessment and referral?

1. Advocating for public policy changes

2. Understanding policy framework and major pieces of legislation

3. Completing an environmental health history

4. Describing the scientific principles about environmental health

The correct answer is: Completing an environmental health history

Completing an environmental health history is a crucial way a nurse fulfills the environmental health competency of assessment and referral. This process involves systematically gathering information about an individual's environment and potential exposures to hazardous substances, which can significantly impact their health. By carefully assessing factors such as home environment, occupational exposures, and community resources, the nurse identifies risk factors associated with environmental health issues. This assessment is vital for developing an understanding of how environmental factors might contribute to a patient's symptoms or health outcomes. It allows the nurse to make informed referrals to appropriate resources, such as environmental health specialists or public health agencies, that can help address identified concerns. This step directly ties to the nurse's role in advocating for patient safety and wellbeing in relation to environmental influences. The other options, while relevant to public health nursing, do not engage directly with the competency of assessment and referral in the same immediate and actionable way.