Question 1

In a nationwide survey, which of the following was identified by school health nurses as the most crucial research priority for their specialty?

Accepted Answer

Gordon and Barry surveyed 263 school nurses in 2006 to identify what the nurses believed to be the top research priorities for the specialty. The first most crucial response was obesity/nutrition-nutrition and weight-loss counseling programs, eating disorders, obesity in children and teens, and importance of exercise.

Question 2

A community health nurse is assigned to cover a school health office when the school's nurse is ill. A child is waiting for the nurse's arrival, saying a particular medication is needed. Which of the following can the nurse expect to find in the school health office? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The guidelines from the National Association of School Nurses indicate that medications should be in containers that are properly labeled with all appropriate student and medication information, accompanied by a written request from the health care provider and parent or guardian, and administered without violating standing orders or nursing protocols. The nurse would not typically find an approval from the student's teacher for the student to see the nurse each day for a medication or a student's assent for the medication to be administered. The parents and health care provider are responsible for the written request for the medication to be administered.

Question 3

A student had been absent 4 days out of the last 3 weeks. When the school nurse asked what was wrong, the student replied, "Headaches" in a rather angry tone. The student had previously been heard to complain that school was boring and it was hard to concentrate on such dumb stuff. Which of the following actions would be most appropriate for the nurse to take next?

Accepted Answer

Warning signs of stress include angry or hostile feelings, inability to concentrate, increased boredom, frequent headaches or other ailments, and inconsistent school attendance.

Question 4

A female coach walks into your office and shares that one student concerns her. The student will not change into her gym clothes and does not seem to "move right." Which of the following actions would be most appropriate for the nurse to take next?

Accepted Answer

Adolescents being physically or sexually abused may have symptoms that include changes in behavior; difficulty in walking, sitting, or other movements; and refusing to change into gym attire or participate in physical activities. It would not be appropriate to minimize the situation, call the student out in front of the class, or have a conversation about the importance of physical education. Rather, the nurse should address the potential signs and symptoms that have been displayed by this student.

Question 5

A new school nurse was concerned about being accepted, as the previous nurse had been at the school for more than 20 years. Which of the following would be the best approach for the nurse to take?

Accepted Answer

The school nurse can assist the faculty and staff by giving workshops on exercise and nutrition, screening for increased blood pressure, and establishing weight management programs.

Question 6

Which of the following variables create differences from school to school regarding the health services that are available? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

School health services goals and objectives vary from state to state, community to community, and school to school. These differences reflect wide variations in state regulation, student needs, community resources, funding sources, and school leadership preferences. The national statistics on health problems and teacher preferences do not create differences among schools in regards to health services that are available.

Question 7

Which of the following screenings are typically administered in the school setting? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Height, weight, vision, and hearing screenings are provided at most schools. Scoliosis or postural screening should be done to identify spinal deviations and intervene early to prevent related secondary problems. The detection of high blood pressure during childhood is important in identifying children who have hypertension and who will benefit from early intervention and follow-up. Screenings in schools must be relatively fast, easy, and noninvasive. Blood work is invasive and cannot be done without parental consent. It is also expensive because test strips must be purchased. Due to the equipment needed, it is not typical that chest x-rays or cholesterol and blood glucose screenings are administered in the school setting.

Question 8

A school nurse is conducting a program with high school students about adolescent sexuality. Which of the following information would the school nurse most likely include?

Accepted Answer

Although the nurse might want to include information on abstinence and birth control, it is important to convey the reality of teenage pregnancy. Adolescent fathers can confront a lifetime of paying child support. Teen mothers are less likely to complete high school and are more likely to be single parents and live in poverty.

Question 9

Everyone in a high school was very upset over the fact that one of the students had shot and killed another student. The nurse decided this was an appropriate time to establish a program to help prevent violence. Which of the following groups of students should receive the program first?

Accepted Answer

Violence prevention programs should begin in elementary schools. Children who exhibit aggressive behavior in elementary school are more likely to exhibit antisocial and violent behavior as adolescents and adults. Programs should teach stress management, conflict and anger resolution, and personal and self-esteem development. This program would be offered too late for children in grades 7 through 12, and should be offered to a larger audience than only those who knew the victim and assailant. Thus, the priority population would be the elementary school children.

Question 10

Everyone is talking about the disaster that has been widely seen on the news programs. Which of the following suggestions would be most appropriate for the nurse to make at this time?

Accepted Answer

Every school is encouraged to develop an emergency management plan. In fact, many states mandate that schools develop plans to address the potential threat of another terrorist attack or a natural or man-made disaster. It would not be appropriate for the nurse to discuss bravery, student safety should come before bravery. Collaborative problem solving will not help the students be safer should this type of a crisis arise at the school. It is not appropriate to provide the students with reassurance as it is impossible to prevent all of these disasters, rather the school must develop an emergency plan so that they are prepared if this would happen at their school.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes how schools can determine what their school health education priorities should include? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Healthy People 2020 sets goals that schools provide health education courses in priority areas. The six behavioral categories or topics identified include the following negative behaviors that often start in childhood or adolescence and persist into adulthood: (1) alcohol and drug use; (2) injury and violence; (3) tobacco use; (4) poor nutrition; (5) lack of physical activity; and (6) sexual behavior that results in sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancies. These problems and behaviors are preventable and lead to additional problems. In a comprehensive health education program, students should be given the opportunity to practice decision-making and communication skills. Funding may not fit local needs. All school nurses should be competent in teaching related to healthy behaviors or know experts who could assist. The priorities should be based on Healthy People 2020, not on the parent and student interests or on the basis of available funding sources.

Quiz 29: School Health