A public health nurse is working with a community HIV task force and providing outreach for a high-risk community group. The public health nurse has received a positive HIV test result for one of the community members and successfully linked the individual to care. The public health nurse should identify that which of the following is true about this community member's diagnosis?
The nurse should review the state laws to determine if and how this information should be shared with the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System.
The nurse should recognize this diagnosis as an indication that the outreach program is not successful.
Outside the healthcare team, the nurse should keep this diagnosis confidential.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
The nurse should review the state laws to determine if and how this information should be shared with the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. This is the correct answer because HIV is a notifiable disease, meaning that cases must be reported to public health authorities to monitor and control the spread of the infection. Each state has specific laws and regulations regarding the reporting of notifiable diseases, and it is crucial for the nurse to be aware of these requirements to ensure compliance and public health safety.
Choice B Reason:
The nurse should recognize this diagnosis as an indication that the outreach program is not successful. This statement is incorrect. A positive diagnosis does not necessarily mean that the outreach program is unsuccessful. On the contrary, identifying and linking individuals to care is a key objective of such programs. The success of the program can be measured by its ability to reach high-risk individuals, provide testing, and ensure they receive appropriate care and support.
Choice C Reason:
Outside the healthcare team, the nurse should keep this diagnosis confidential. While confidentiality is critical in healthcare, the reporting of notifiable diseases like HIV is an exception due to public health concerns. The nurse must balance confidentiality with the legal obligation to report the diagnosis to public health authorities. This ensures that appropriate measures can be taken to prevent further transmission and provide necessary public health interventions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Conducting a physical examination is the first step in addressing the employee's concern about hearing loss. This examination allows the nurse to assess the ear for any visible issues, such as earwax buildup, infection, or structural abnormalities. A thorough physical examination can help identify the cause of the hearing loss and determine the appropriate next steps. It is essential to rule out any immediate and easily treatable conditions before proceeding with more specialized interventions.
Choice B Reason:
Irrigating the ear to remove any obstruction, such as earwax, can be an effective treatment for hearing loss caused by cerumen impaction. However, this should only be done after a physical examination confirms that earwax is the cause of the hearing loss. Irrigation without proper assessment can potentially cause harm, especially if there is an underlying infection or perforation of the eardrum.
Choice C Reason:
Advising the client on the use of ear plugs is a preventive measure to protect hearing, particularly in noisy environments. However, this advice does not address the immediate concern of unilateral hearing loss. Ear plugs are more relevant for preventing further hearing damage rather than diagnosing or treating existing hearing issues.
Choice D Reason:
Referring the client to an audiologist is an important step if the initial physical examination does not reveal the cause of the hearing loss or if the hearing loss persists despite initial treatment. Audiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating hearing disorders and can perform comprehensive hearing tests. However, this referral should come after the nurse has conducted a preliminary assessment to rule out any obvious and treatable causes.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A: Crime Statistics
Crime statistics are an example of secondary data. Secondary data refers to information that has been collected by someone else for a different purpose but is being utilized by the nurse for community assessment. Crime statistics are typically gathered by law enforcement agencies and other governmental bodies and can provide valuable insights into the safety and social environment of a community.
Choice B: Direct Observation
Direct observation is a method of collecting primary data. Primary data is gathered firsthand by the researcher through direct methods such as surveys, interviews, or observations. In this case, the nurse would be directly observing the community to gather information, making it a primary data collection method.
Choice C: Community Informant Interviews
Community informant interviews are another example of primary data collection. These interviews involve speaking directly with community members or key informants to gather firsthand information about the community's health needs, resources, and concerns. This method provides qualitative data that can be used to understand the community's perspective.
Choice D: Windshield Survey
A windshield survey is a primary data collection method where the nurse drives through the community to observe various aspects such as housing conditions, availability of services, and general environmental conditions. This type of survey provides firsthand observational data about the community.
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