Tammie Johnson: A Three Year Old with Lead Poisoning

Price (includes one year of access and CE):  US$8 Course Code: 7SENNF-PRV-09-ddn13s04 CE: 1.00 Hours. Post Test Score Required for Successful Completion: 80%

Course Overview:

Lead poisoning is one of the most common pediatric health problems in the United States. Lead exposure can damage children's brains and other organ systems causing developmental problems, such as reduced IQ and attention span, hyperactivity, impaired growth, learning disabilities, hearing loss, and other health, intellectual, and behavior problems. In this module, a public health nurse providing preschool immunizations listens as a mother describes her daughter's behavior and developmental regression. The nurse recognizes that the child lives in an environment that poses a risk for lead exposure and recommends screening, which is positive for lead. The module reviews identification of and primary prevention of environmental risks for lead exposure, federal criteria for lead level screening, classification of blood lead concentrations, and medical interventions required for each level. The module also reviews points that should be included in an individualized teaching plan for reducing lead exposure and promoting healthy growth and development.

Course Objectives:

After completion of this learning activity, the learner will be able to:

• describe the partnership triad among nurse, client, and caregiver.
• describe the role of the nurse as observer and listener in determining the need to implement screening for possible lead poisoning.
• describe how to screen for and diagnose lead poisoning.
• list neurodevelopmental symptoms associated with lead poisoning.
• list the most common causes of lead poisoning.
• describe three methods for controlling lead exposure in the home.
• describe the nurse's role as advocate and educator in individual and community management of lead toxicity.
• describe the role of the nurse in identifying and intervening in developmental disabilities caused by exposure to environmental lead.

This courseware was made possible in part by grant number R43 NR04738-03 from the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors.

Copyright© 2007 by HealthSoft, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

HealthSoft, Inc. is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the New York State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

It has been assigned code 7SENNF-PRV-09.

This course is updated annually. Expiration date: 5/1/11

The faculty and planners of this course have no vested interests to disclose.

This course has received no commercial support.