A community health nurse is instructing a group of newly licensed nurses about diseases that require airborne precautions. Which of the following diseases should the nurse include?

A. Report of back pain associated with twisting at the waist. Back pain is a common musculoskeletal issue among agricultural workers due to repetitive movements and heavy lifting. While it requires intervention, it is not immediately life-threatening and does not take priority over acute symptoms that may indicate poisoning or a severe reaction.

B. Absence of a dental health provider. Lack of dental care can contribute to long-term health complications, but it does not pose an immediate risk requiring urgent intervention. Addressing acute medical conditions takes precedence over routine preventive care.

C. Lives in a home with 25 other agricultural workers. Overcrowded living conditions can increase the risk of communicable diseases and poor hygiene-related health issues. However, it is a social determinant of health rather than an urgent clinical concern that requires immediate action.

D. Report of muscle twitching and skin rash. Muscle twitching and skin rash can indicate pesticide poisoning, a common occupational hazard for agricultural workers. Pesticide exposure can lead to serious neurological and systemic effects, making this the priority for immediate assessment and intervention.

A. Teach workers to choose personal strategies to cope with work stress: While teaching coping strategies is beneficial for mental well-being, it does not directly address physical agents in the environment. This intervention focuses on psychological stressors rather than physical environmental factors.

B. Limit the amount of time workers spend in temperatures over 43.3° C (110° F): Implementing measures to limit exposure to high temperatures is a crucial intervention for reducing physical stressors in the workplace. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can lead to heat-related illnesses, so this action protects employees’ health.

C. Provide ear plugs for use at workstations throughout the factory: Providing earplugs is an effective intervention for mitigating noise exposure, which is a physical agent that can cause hearing loss and other health issues. This measure helps create a safer work environment by protecting employees from harmful noise levels.

D. Obtain dosimeters for employees to wear when using new machinery that emits radiation: Providing dosimeters is essential for monitoring radiation exposure among employees. This intervention directly addresses physical agents in the workplace by ensuring that workers are protected from harmful radiation levels and that exposure remains within safe limits.

E. Require more frequent disinfection of work surfaces during influenza season: While this measure is important for preventing the spread of infectious diseases, it primarily addresses biological agents rather than physical agents in the environment. This intervention focuses on hygiene and infection control rather than mitigating physical environmental stressors.