Nurse's Pocket Guide

Related Factors
EXTERNAL
Chemical contamination of food/water; presence of atmospheric
pollutants
Inadequate municipal services (trash removal, sewage treatment
facilities)
Geographic area (living in area where high level of contaminants
exist)
Playing in outdoor areas where environmental contaminants
are used
Personal/household hygiene practices
Living in poverty (increases potential for multiple exposure,
lack of access to healthcare, and poor diet)
Use of environmental contaminants in the home (e.g., pesticides,
chemicals, environmental tobacco smoke)
Lack of breakdown of contaminants once indoors (breakdown
is inhibited without sun and rain exposure)
Flooring surface (carpeted surfaces hold contaminant residue
more readily than hard floor surfaces)
Flaking, peeling paint/plaster in presence of young children
Paint, lacquer, etc., in poorly ventilated areas/without effective
protection
Inappropriate use/lack of protective clothing
Unprotected contact with heavy metals or chemicals (e.g.,
arsenic, chromium, lead)
Exposure to radiation (occupation in radiography, employment
in/living near nuclear industries and electrical generating
plants)
Exposure to disaster (natural or man-made); exposure to
bioterrorism
INTERNAL
Age (children less than age 5 years, older adults); gestational age
during exposure; developmental characteristics of children
Female gender; pregnancy
Nutritional factors (e.g., obesity, vitamin and mineral deficiencies)
Preexisting disease states; smoking
Concomitant exposure; previous exposures
Defining Characteristics
(Defining characteristics are dependent on the causative agent.
Agents cause a variety of individual organ responses as well as
systemic responses.)
Information in brackets added by the authors to clarify and enhance
the use of nursing diagnoses.
Diagnostic Studies Pediatric/Geriatric/Lifespan Medications 205
CONTAMINATION