The nurse is teaching parents at a community health fair about ways to reduce the risk of lead exposure.
Which statement should the nurse include?
The nurse is teaching parents at a community health fair about ways to reduce the risk of lead exposure.
Which statement should the nurse include?
A. “Use hot tap water when preparing infant formula to eliminate bacteria.”
[8%]
B. “Vacuum carpets daily using a high-powered vacuum cleaner.”
[19%]
C. “Allow tap water to run for several minutes before using it for drinking or cooking.”
[70%]
D. “It is okay to store food in open cans as long as it is in the refrigerator.”
[3%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Child Health
Lesson
Infectious Disease
Client Need
Test Plan
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Related Topic
Health Promotion/Disease Prevention
Item Type
Item Type
Application
Explanation
Choice C is correct. This practice helps flush lead-contaminated water from aging pipes, particularly in older homes where lead solder or pipes are still present. This is a widely endorsed public health measure to reduce lead exposure in drinking and cooking water.
Choice A is incorrect. Hot water dissolves lead more quickly than cold water. Instead, parents should use cold tap water and heat it separately, as hot tap water may leach more lead from old plumbing.
Choice B is incorrect. High-powered vacuums without HEPA filters can disperse lead dust into the air. A damp mop, cloths, and a HEPA-filtered vacuum are safer methods for cleaning to reduce lead exposure.
Choice D is incorrect. Storing food in opened cans can lead to chemical leaching, including metals like lead, particularly in imported or older cans. Food should be transferred to lead-free, food-safe storage containers.
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2 Key Topics
Toddler Education & Immunizations
14.8 Toddler Growth and Development
Additional Info
✓ Lead poisoning occurs when lead accumulates in the body, often over months or years. Even small amounts can cause serious health problems, especially in children under age 6.
✓ Capillary blood lead level (BLL) test at 12 and 24 months for universal screening.
Strategies to lower the exposure to lead
✓ Ensure that children eat regular meals because more lead is absorbed on an empty stomach.
✓ Wash toys and pacifiers frequently.
✓ Use only cold water for consumption (drinking, cooking, and especially for reconstituting powder infant formula).
✓ Do not store food in open cans, particularly if cans are imported.
