Chapter 34

Question 1

Which statement about migrant and seasonal farm workers is true?

a. There are more than 10 million working in the United States.
b. The majority are Mexican.
c. Most are employed in the Northeastern states.
d. Thirty-five percent are undocumented workers.

Answer 1

ANS: B

The majority of migrant farm workers are foreign born and predominantly Mexican (75%).

Question 2

Which statement about migrant and seasonal farm workers is true?

a. The economic status of migrant workers has improved over the last decade.
b. This is a transient population that does not need nursing care.
c. Most migrant workers are eager to accept health care services.
d. Availability of food in the United States depends on these individuals.

Answer 2

ANS: D
Availability and affordability of food in the United States depends on these individuals, yet their economic and social status has not changed significantly over the past decades.

Question 3

A nurse is working with a client whose principal employment is in agriculture on a seasonal basis and has established temporary housing in the area while employed. This laborer is called a:

a. Seasonal farm worker
b. Migrant farm worker
c. Transient worker
d. Share cropper

Answer 3

ANS: B
A migrant farm worker is a laborer whose principal employment is in agriculture on a seasonal basis and for the purposes of such employment establishes a temporary abode.

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a migrant family. During the interview, the mother tells the nurse that the family follows an Eastern migratory stream originating in southern Florida. Which statement is accurate?

a. This is one of the migratory streams that migrant farm workers traditionally follow.
b. This is a unique migratory pattern.
c. This is a traditional family-generated migratory pattern.
d. This is an unpredictable pattern that may lead the family through southern California.

Answer 4

ANS: A

The others are Midwestern, originating in Texas, and Western, originating in California.

Question 5

A nurse plans to collect data about morbidity and mortality among migrant workers in a community. Which barrier is the nurse most likely to encounter?

a. Difficulty securing a stable population
b. Lack of resources
c. Unwilling participants
d. Fear of deportation

Answer 5

ANS: A
Accurate morbidity and mortality data are difficult to obtain due to farm workers leaving when no longer working, going back to their home to receive medical services, and decreases in infectious diseases that are easier to record.

Question 6

Which health problem ranks as one of the top five problems for farm workers aged 5 to 19?

a. Dental problems
b. Communicable diseases
c. Gastrointestinal problems
d. Stress

Answer 6

ANS: A

Farm workers of all ages consistently have more dental disease than the general population.

Question 7

Which disorder has been identified as an occupational health risk for agricultural workers?

a. Stroke
b. Heart disease
c. Diabetes
d. Cancer

Answer 7

ANS: D
Other identified health risks are musculoskeletal injuries, traumatic injuries, respiratory problems, dermatitis, infectious diseases, and eye problems.

Question 8

What effect does alcohol consumption have on migrant farm workers?

a. Provides relaxation and is important for migrant workers’ well-being
b. Adds additional risks to pesticide exposure
c. Poses safety hazards for farm workers
d. Allows migrant workers to sleep better, thus improving daytime productivity

Answer 8

ANS: C

Alcohol can contribute to farm-related injuries.

Question 9

Which factor may limit access to care for migrant farm workers?

a. Unwillingness to seek affordable health care
b. Lack of knowledge regarding services
c. Availability of 24-hour health care services
d. Adequate transportation

Answer 9

ANS: B

Because of isolation, migrant farm workers lack usual sources of information regarding available services.

Question 10

Which statement is true about health care services for migrant workers?

a. Clinics are usually found within walking distance from work.
b. Undocumented workers fear deportation when using clinics.
c. Health care records are kept by workers to allow for continuation of services.
d. Clinics are most often open on weekends and keep evening hours.

Answer 10

ANS: B
Clinics are usually a great distance from work and offer health services only during work hours. Health records do not typically follow the client.

Question 11

A nurse is assessing a client who has had an acute exposure to a pesticide. Which symptom is the client most likely to display?

a. Memory loss
b. Musculoskeletal problems
c. Cancer
d. Infertility

Answer 11

ANS: A
Memory loss is a symptom that is displayed following an acute exposure to a pesticide. Musculoskeletal problems, cancer, and infertility are from chronic exposure.

Question 12

A nurse is caring for a migrant farm worker who has been working in the agricultural industry for the past 10 years. When questioned about environmental hazards, the client reports regular exposure to pesticides. The nurse recognizes that this client is at increased risk for developing:

a. Cancer
b. Memory loss
c. Skin rashes
d. Headaches

Answer 12

ANS: A

Chronic exposure to pesticides may lead to cancer.

Question 13

A nurse is assessing the occupational health risks of a migrant farm worker. Which health risk is the nurse most likely to find?

a. Denial of care when going to the emergency room
b. Difficulty obtaining affordable health insurance
c. Increased exposure to chemicals and work-related injuries
d. Episodic violence from farm owners and employers

Answer 13

ANS: C
Occupational health risks for migrant farm workers include working conditions, exposure to chemicals, and using machinery.

Question 14

Which legislation changed the availability of federal services accessible to certain immigrants to the United States?

a. Migrant Health Act of 1962
b. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
c. Welfare reform legislation of 1996
d. Food stamps

Answer 14

ANS: C
The Welfare reform legislation of 1996 changed the availability of federal services accessible to certain immigrants in the United States.

Question 15

Primary prevention for migrant workers includes activities such as:

a. Caring for persons afflicted with pesticide exposure
b. Setting up clinics for persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
c. Doing research in the field related to heat stress
d. Educating about prevention of such illnesses as HIV and infectious diseases

Answer 15

ANS: D
The primary level of prevention often includes education for the prevention of diseases, measures to reduce pesticide exposure, and immunizations.

Question 16

Which activity would be considered primary prevention?

a. Urine screening for pesticide exposure
b. TB skin testing
c. Treatment of lead poisoning
d. Reduction of pesticide exposure

Answer 16

ANS: D

Urine screening and TB skin testing are secondary prevention, and treatment of lead poisoning is tertiary prevention.

Question 17

Which activity would be considered secondary prevention?

a. Monitoring for prenatal care
b. Treatment for anemia
c. HIV prevention
d. Tetanus immunization

Answer 17

ANS: A

Treatment for anemia is tertiary prevention, and HIV prevention and tetanus immunization are primary preventions.

Question 18

Which prevention activity would be considered tertiary prevention?

a. Diabetes screening
b. Rehabilitation for musculoskeletal injury
c. Birth control
d. Pregnancy testing

Answer 18

ANS: B

Diabetes screening and pregnancy testing are secondary preventions, and birth control is a primary prevention.

Question 19

In the Mexican culture, when a client experiences a folk illness, the client may:

a. Prefer to seek care with a folk healer.
b. Return to Mexico for care.
c. Rely on Western medicine to cure the ailment.
d. Become isolated and not seek care.

Answer 19

ANS: A

Healers known as curanderos, herbalistas, and espiritualistas are often sources of health care for folk illnesses.

Question 20

A nurse who is polite and non-confrontational with a migrant worker family demonstrates understanding of the concept of:

a. Simpatía
b. Respeto
c. Dignidad
d. Personalismo

Answer 20

ANS: A
Simpatía means having polite, non-confrontational relationships with others. Respeto means respect, dignidad means dignity, and personalismo is relating to the individual.

Question 21

When migrant women are educated to serve as links between existing health care agencies and the migrant farm worker family, they are called:

a. Migrant head start workers
b. Outreach care workers
c. Physician assistance
d. Nurses aides

Answer 21

ANS: B
Because these outreach workers are members of the migrant community, they are trusted and know the culture and the language.

Question 22

A nurse is providing care for a Mexican client who has sustained a farm injury. If a major decision about the client’s treatment needs to be made, who would most likely make that decision?

a. The male head of the family
b. The wife/mother
c. The person needing services
d. The crew leader

Answer 22

ANS: A

The male is considered to be the major decision maker in the family, whereas the female is considered the caretaker.

Question 23

Which strategy should nurses use to provide culturally effective care to Mexican migrant farm workers?

a. Learn how to speak Spanish to improve communication.
b. Understand that traditional beliefs and practices are more common among the well-educated population.
c. Consult the female head of household about health care matters.
d. Recognize that cultural backgrounds of the workers will vary depending on their place of origin.

Answer 23

ANS: D

It would be incorrect to assume that all Mexicans have the same cultural beliefs.

Question 24

Who is a nurse collaborating with when partnering with an organization to improve affordable housing in rural areas of the country?

a. Housing Assistance Council (HAC)
b. Local housing authority
c. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
d. Public Housing Development for Families

Answer 24

ANS: A

HAC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve affordable housing in rural areas.

Question 25

How can nurses be political advocates for the migrant population?

a. Upholding immigration laws and deporting illegal aliens
b. Passing laws to improve the living conditions of migrant farm workers
c. Educating communities about the health problems of migrant farm workers
d. Learning to speak Spanish for better communication with migrant farm workers

Answer 25

ANS: C

Political advocacy can include educating communities about these individuals.

Question 26

Which factors are challenges of the migrant lifestyle? Select all that apply.

a. Leaving one’s home every year
b. Traveling
c. Experiencing uncertainty regarding work and housing
d. Lack of resources

Answer 26

ANS: A, B, C, D
Leaving one’s home every year, traveling, experiencing uncertainty regarding work and housing, and lack of resources are some of the challenges of the migrant lifestyle.