ROLE OF THE NURSEROLE OF THE NURSEININ

ENVIRONMENTALENVIRONMENTALCONCERNS WITH THECONCERNS WITH THE

CHILDBEARING CHILDBEARING CLIENTSCLIENTSDeveloped by Developed by

D. Ann Currie, R.N., M.S.N.D. Ann Currie, R.N., M.S.N.

ROLE OF THE NURSEROLE OF THE NURSE• SCREENING FOR EXPOSURE OR RISK

FACTORS• PREVENTION-LIMIT EXPOSURE AND

PROTECTION FROM HAZARDOUS MATERIAL

• EDUCATION• COUNSELING• REFERRALS• RESEARCH

ASSESSMENT OF RISK ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORSFACTORS

• IMPORTANT-- HX OF EXPOSURE CAN BE THROUGH OCCUPATION,ENVIRONMENT, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES OR MEDICAL TX.

• ASSESS THE FOLLOWING: TIME, DURATION, MODE, PRECAUTIONS, & EXPOSURE LEVELS.

• TIME-WHEN DURING THE PREGNANCYDID EXPOSURE OCURR?

• DURATION- FOR HOW LONG WAS THE EXPOSURE?

• MODE- WHAT WAS THE MODE OF EXPOSURE?

• PRECAUTIONS-WERE PRECAUTIONS TAKEN TO CONTROL EXPOSURE?

• EXPOSURE LEVELS-WHAT WERE THE EXPOSURE LEVELS IN THE ENVIRONMENT,WORKPLACE,OR HOME ?

ROLE OF THE NURSEROLE OF THE NURSE

• ASSESS FOR RISK FACTORS-EXPOSURE TO POTENTIAL HAZARDS

• EVALUATE RISKS-TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE SPECIFICITY OF THE AGENT-THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE OF THE FETUS- THE DOSE & LENGTH OF EXPOSURE=THE HEALTH OF THE WOMEN-THE TYPE OF PROTECTION THAT WAS USED

• USE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES&PHYSICIANS IN THE WORK PLACE TO ASSESS AND PLAN FOR EXPOSURE CONTROL.

• REFER CLIENT TO APPROPRIATE AGENCIES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS AND REPORT EXPOSURE.

• REFER TO THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR FURTHER EVALUATION.

• REFER TO GENETIC COUNSELING IF NEEDED.

• REFER FOR INFERTILITY COUNSELING IF NEEDED.

• INSTRUCT CLIENTS ON POTEENTIAL HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE FOR ALL WOMEN/MEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE.

• ASSIST CCLIENT IN COPING WITH FEARS AND CONCERNS.

ASSESSMENT OF RISK ASSESSMENT OF RISK ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORSENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HISTORY• OCCUPATIONAL• WHAT IS THE JOB?• HOW LONG HAS THE CLIENT WORKED

THERE?• WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC TASKS?• WHAT ARE THE PRODUCTS OR SERVICE

THAT IS PRODUCED IN THE JOB?

RISK FACTOR ASSESSMENTRISK FACTOR ASSESSMENT

• ARE YOU EXPOSED TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING AT YOUR JOB,HOME,OR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES?

• CHEMICALS-types?• LOUD NOISES-• RADIATION=• VIBRATIONS=• PROLONG ACTIVITIES• EXTREME TEMPERATURES.

RISK FACTOR ASSESSMENTRISK FACTOR ASSESSMENT

• DOES YOUR CLIENT WEAR/USE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING OR EQUIPMENT AT WORK?

• OTHER ENIVORNMENTAL EXPOSURES----

• WHAT ARE YOUR CLIENT’S HOBBIES?

• WHAT ARE THE CLIENT’S RECREATIONAL ACTIVIES?

• DOES THE CLIENTS HOBBIES INVOLVE EXPOSURE TO:

• CHEMICALS-TYPE?• LOUD NOISES-• RADIATION-• VIBRATIONS-• EXTREME TEMPERATURES-• EXTREME ACTIVITIES-

• CIGARETTE SMOKE-

• IS THE CLIENT EXPOSED TO CIGARETTE SMOKE?

• HOW?

• HOW MUCH?

• HOW OFTEN?

• HOW LONG?

• MEDICATIONS/DRUGS=• WHAT OTC DOES THE CLIENT TAKE?• WHAT PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS DOES THE

CLIENT TAKE?• DOES THE CLIENT DRINK ALCOHOL?• HOW MUCH?• HOW OFTEN?• DOES THE CLIENT USE RECREATIONAL

DRUGS?---TYPE?• HOW MUCH?