A public health nurse is caring for an employee who has been exposed to anthrax. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason: Demographic data is not part of the windshield survey, but rather a secondary source of information that the nurse can obtain from census reports, health statistics, or other documents. Demographic data includes information such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, income, education, and occupation of the community members.

Choice B reason: Mortality rate is not part of the windshield survey, but rather a secondary source of information that the nurse can obtain from vital records, health reports, or other documents. Mortality rate is a measure of the number of deaths in a given population, usually expressed as deaths per 1000 or 100,000 people.

Choice C reason: Informant interviews are not part of the windshield survey, but rather a primary source of information that the nurse can obtain by talking to key informants or community leaders who have knowledge and insight about the community. Informant interviews can help the nurse to identify the community's strengths, needs, problems, and resources.

Choice D reason: Housing quality is part of the windshield survey, which is a direct observation of the community by driving or walking through it. Housing quality includes information such as the type, age, condition, size, and value of the houses, as well as the availability and accessibility of utilities, sanitation, and safety features. Housing quality can reflect the socioeconomic status, health status, and environmental risks of the community.

Choice A reason: Tracking rates of illness caused by infection among employees is not an action that will help the nurse detect potential physical hazards, as it is related to biological hazards. Biological hazards are living organisms or substances that can cause disease or infection, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. The nurse should track rates of illness caused by infection among employees to monitor the prevalence and incidence of occupational infections, such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, or COVID-19, and to implement preventive and control measures.

Choice B reason: Surveying workers about job-related emotional stress is not an action that will help the nurse detect potential physical hazards, as it is related to psychosocial hazards. Psychosocial hazards are factors that affect the mental and emotional well-being of workers, such as workload, autonomy, communication, recognition, or violence. The nurse should survey workers about job-related emotional stress to assess the level and sources of occupational stress, burnout, or fatigue, and to provide counseling, support, or referral.

Choice C reason: Identifying industrial toxins that are present in the environment is not an action that will help the nurse detect potential physical hazards, as it is related to chemical hazards. Chemical hazards are substances that can harm the health or safety of workers, such as solvents, acids, gases, or pesticides. The nurse should identify industrial toxins that are present in the environment to evaluate the exposure and risk of workers, and to implement protective measures, such as ventilation, personal protective equipment, or safe handling procedures.

Choice D reason: Measuring noise levels at various locations in the facility is an action that will help the nurse detect potential physical hazards, as noise is a common and harmful physical hazard. Physical hazards are factors that can harm the body or damage the equipment or materials, such as noise, vibration, temperature, radiation, or electricity. The nurse should measure noise levels at various locations in the facility to determine the intensity and duration of noise exposure, and to implement noise reduction measures, such as engineering controls, administrative controls, or hearing protection devices.