A nurse working in a mobile health clinic is assessing a client who is an agricultural worker. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as the priority?

A. Use surveillance to investigate outbreaks of foodborne illness. Investigating outbreaks falls under the assessment function of public health, which involves monitoring and identifying health problems within the community through data collection and analysis.

B. Monitor the incidence rates of varicella every 2 months. Tracking disease incidence is part of the assessment function, as it involves ongoing surveillance to detect trends and potential public health concerns. This data helps in planning and evaluating interventions but does not directly ensure service delivery.

C. Organize an immunization clinic for at-risk members of the community. Assurance involves ensuring that essential public health services are available and accessible. Organizing an immunization clinic directly provides a critical health service to protect vulnerable populations, making it an example of the assurance function.

D. Educate the community about the health risks of alcohol use. Providing health education aligns with the policy development function, which focuses on informing and empowering the community to make healthier choices through laws, regulations, and initiatives.

A. Log out of the computer terminal before leaving: Logging out of the computer terminal is a crucial step in maintaining client confidentiality. It prevents unauthorized individuals from accessing sensitive client information when the nurse is away from the terminal.

B. Share passwords for computer access with colleagues: Sharing passwords compromises the security of client information and violates confidentiality protocols. Each nurse should use their unique login credentials to ensure accountability and protect client data.

C. Change computer access passwords on a regular basis: Regularly changing passwords enhances security and helps protect client confidentiality. This practice reduces the risk of unauthorized access to electronic medical records.

D. Avoid accessing information about clients admitted to other units: Avoiding access to information about clients in other units is an essential practice for maintaining confidentiality. Nurses should only access information relevant to their assigned clients to ensure compliance with privacy regulations.

E. Shred computer-generated client worksheets after use: Shredding printed materials containing client information is vital for protecting confidentiality. Proper disposal of sensitive documents prevents unauthorized access to client data and ensures compliance with privacy policies.