Background and Underlying Causes
What is the leading cause of lead poisoning in children in the United States?
Lead-based paint chips
This age group is most at risk for lead poisoning due to frequent hand-to-mouth behavior.
Children under the age of six
Type of cleaning that is recommended to reduce lead dust in the home
Wet cleaning/wet mopping
What blood level may be asymptomatic.
<9 mcg/dL
What is the first step when a child is found to have a mildly elevated blood lead level (5–14 µg/dL)?
Identify and remove the source of exposure
What level of lead is safe in human blood?
None. No amount of lead in the blood is safe.
Children living in homes built before this year are at higher risk of lead exposure from paint.
1978
What happens to older homes with lead
A specialist is hired to inspect and safely remove lead hazards from older homes
What level of lead toxicity has clinical manifestations of tremors and headaches?
20-44 mcg/dL
Which of the following nutrients helps reduce the amount of lead absorbed in a child’s body?
Calcium
List potential sources of lead poisoning
Paint
Toys
Water
Soil
Turf
Air
Deficiencies in these three nutrients can increase a child's absorption of lead.
Calcium, iron, and vitamin C
Public health measure involves testing children’s blood to detect lead exposure early
Blood lead level screening
Ataxia, epilepsy, and loss of consciousness happens at what critically high level?
>70 mcg/dL
A child has a blood lead level of 52 µg/dL. What is the most appropriate medical intervention?
Begin chelation therapy
Which developmental theory supports the concept that young children are more susceptible to lead poisoning and why?
Piaget—sensorimotor stage and Freud—oral because they explore the world primarily with their mouth
This behavioral condition, involving eating non-food items like paint chips or soil, increases the risk of lead poisoning.
Pica
Mineral that helps reduce the body’s absorption of lead when included in a child’s diet
Iron
What is the difference in absorption rate of lead in children compared to adults.
It is 4-5 times higher in children
Why is it important to refer children with high lead levels to early intervention services?
To address developmental and learning delays.
What teaching points (regarding the year items in the house were built) should a nurse teach a family who just relocated to an older neighborhood?
If built before 1978, there is a risk of lead-based paint chips and if built before 1986, there could be corrosion of lead plumbing pipes.
Immigrant and refugee children may be at greater risk due to exposure from these types of imported products and traditional practices
Lead-containing goods such as traditional medicines, cosmetics, and ceramics
Temperature of water for cooking and drinking can help prevent lead exposure from plumbing
Cold water
What is the gold standard diagnostic test of lead toxicity?
Venous blood draw
A child lives in a home built before 1978 and has a confirmed BLL of 28 µg/dL. What is the nurse’s priority action?
Notify the local health department for environmental inspection