A hospital nurse asks a public health nurse for a response about hand soreness. Which statement would be the most appropriate?

• A. "Ask the staff in employee health if there have been any other complaints."
• B. "Call the local health department about any recent problems at the hospital."
• C. "Check the material safety data sheet on any chemicals you have used recently."
• D. "See the nurse's health care provider for a complete work-up."

Answer: (C)

When a nurse reports hand soreness in a setting where chemicals are used, the most appropriate first step is to review the safety information for the substances recently in use. The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each chemical lists its hazards, routes of exposure, symptoms of irritation or dermatitis, and the recommended first aid, protective equipment, and handling procedures. By checking the SDS for chemicals you’ve been using, the public health nurse can determine which product could be responsible, what immediate actions are advised (such as proper hand washing, decontamination steps, and the appropriate PPE to prevent further exposure), and whether medical evaluation is warranted. This approach targets the actual exposure source and guides safe management within the workplace.

In contrast, reaching out to the local health department for a general hospital problem isn’t the right move for a single, potential chemical exposure incident. Suggesting a complete work-up with the nurse’s health care provider is appropriate if symptoms persist or worsen, but the immediate, practical step is to verify the chemical hazards via the SDS and follow the recommended controls. Asking about other complaints in employee health isn’t as directly informative for identifying a specific exposure source in this moment.