The nurse travels to Nigeria with a humanitarian aid organization to assess and treat members of a remote community

Question

The children all have high levels of lead in their blood, as a result of exposure to lead dust created by gold mining. Many children are dying. The nurse has never witnessed such a phenomenon in the United States. Which are the most likely reasons for this discrepancy? (Select all that apply.)
A) Larger mining operations than in the United States
B) Lack of environmental regulations or of their enforcement
C) Lack of knowledge concerning environmental dangers
D) Weaker immune systems than in the United States
E) Need of the miners to earn a living and fewer work options

Answer 1

Ans: B, C, E
Feedback:
This situation is caused by a combination of limited environmental protections, lack of knowledge concerning environmental dangers by local community members, and the need to earn an income. The size of the mining operations is not relevant. The strength of the children's immune system is irrelevant, as the immune system is effective against invading microorganisms, not against lead.