Document Lgvr94YXabxKaKvqQp4yL9kb3

OCCVPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES study. A muse or other specially trained person can secure basic data from the ex aminee, such as height, weight, age, and the history Nurses may also assist m other portions of the examination when specially trained and authorized to do so This relief from mmor details will give the physician more time to devote to an analysis of the whole man Custom requires that a nurse or other female attendant be present when women are being examined Health problems of women There is no reliable evidence to support the view that women are more susceptible than men to occupational health hazards, except during pregnancy The policy of some companies is to dis miss women on learning of their pregnancy As a result, women may conceal their con dition until it becomes obvious, frequently not until the last half of the pregnancy Since the early months present die danger of spontaneous abortion, it is desirable for women working during this period to be under the supervision of the medical depart ment A pregnant woman should consult her own doctor, and a report of her condi tion should be given to the plant doctor so that he may determine the advisability of her continuing to work Lead exposure preceding pregnancy is po tentially dangerous, since lead concentra tion in the blood, tissue, and body fluids re mains in the system for many months Because of change in the physiological mech anism of women dunng pregnancy, preg nant women might be adversely affected by exposure to concentrations of toxic sub stances which would otherwise be safe Chemical substances, such as carbon mon oxide, cbiorolorm, phosphorus, and roercurv, which pass through the placenta, may pro duce harmful effects on the fetus and lead to abortion * Occupational health nurse Occupational nursing is a distinct branch of the nursing profession The position re quires a qualified graduate nurse, who is licensed m the state where employed In addition, it is desirable that the occupational health nurse have some knowledge of work men's compensation laws, insurance, health and safety laws, occupational diseases, sani tation, first aid, and record keeping The occupational health nurse works with the physician m the plant and is his repre sentative when he is away. However, he should provide her with written directives that have been discussed between them and that they mutually understand That is, the establishment of medical diagnosis and defi nition of treatment are the function of the physician, whereas the muse carries out procedures defined by him She is often delegated by him, in bis absence, to perform first aid for minor injuries and ailments that are of the type usually neglected or subjected to self-remedies Further, she must exercise discretion in handling nonoccupabonal ailments and refer the employee to his own physician When the physician is only located at the plant part time, the nurse is responsible to him on professional matters, and to a mem ber of management on administrative mat ters The occupational health nurse must main tain a confidential professional relationship with the employees in conformity with legal Fig 36-3 A portable audiometer can be used for accurate hearing evaluations Courteiy Bellonc Hearing Aid Co 38-7