A community health nurse needs guidance regarding a public building that has asbestos leaking from rips in the heating duct insulation.
Which of the following federal agencies should the nurse consult?

Choice A rationale

The first action to take in the initial phase of planning a smoking cessation program should be to determine the prevalence of smoking in the community. This is important because it helps to understand the magnitude of the problem and the potential impact of the program. It also helps in setting realistic goals for the program and in securing funding and other resources.

Choice B rationale

While formulating objectives for the smoking cessation program is an important step, it should come after determining the prevalence of smoking in the community. The objectives should be based on the needs and characteristics of the target population, which can only be understood by first assessing the prevalence.

Choice C rationale

Gaining community support for the program is crucial for its success. However, this should come after the prevalence of smoking has been determined and objectives for the program have been formulated.

Choice D rationale

Evaluating the methods of successful smoking cessation programs can provide valuable insights for planning the program. However, this should not be the first action. The first step should be to understand the extent of the problem in the community.

Choice A rationale

The Department of Health and Human Resources is primarily responsible for the health and well-being of all Americans. It provides effective health and human services and fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services. However, it does not directly deal with environmental hazards such as asbestos.

Choice B rationale

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the correct choice because it is responsible for protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress. The EPA has implemented strict regulations for the use, handling, and disposal of asbestos products. In cases of asbestos exposure, the EPA takes actions to protect the public from the adverse health effects of asbestos, a known carcinogen. Therefore, a community health nurse should consult the EPA for guidance regarding a public building that has asbestos leaking from rips in the heating duct insulation.

Choice C rationale

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a national public health institute in the United States. It is a federal agency that conducts and supports health promotion, prevention, and preparedness activities in the United States, with the goal of improving overall public health. While the CDC does work to protect public health, its focus is not specifically on environmental hazards like asbestos.

Choice D rationale

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research. While the NIH does conduct research on various health issues, it does not have the regulatory authority to manage environmental hazards such as asbestos.