Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 
Case Studies in Environmental Medicine (CSEM) 

Taking an Exposure History
Assessment and Posttest Instructions

Introduction

ATSDR seeks feedback on this course so we can assess its usefulness and effectiveness. We ask you to complete the assessment questionnaire online for this purpose.

In addition, if you complete the assessment and posttest online, you can receive continuing education credits as follows:

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. CDC designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Commission on Accreditation

This activity for 1.5 contact hours is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is accredited as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is a designated event for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) to receive 1.5 Category I contact hours in health education, CDC provider number GA0082.

International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been reviewed and approved as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), Suite 800, McLean, VA 22102. CDC will award 0.15 of CEU's to participants who successfully complete this program.

Disclaimer

In compliance with continuing education requirements, all presenters must disclose any financial or other relationships with the manufacturers of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services, or commercial supporters as well as any use of unlabeled product(s) or product(s) under investigational use.

CDC/ATSDR, our planners, and the presenters for this seminar do not have financial or other relationships with the manufacturers of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters. This presentation does not involve the unlabeled use of a product or product under investigational use.

Online Instructions

To complete the assessment and posttest, go to http://www2.cdc.gov/atsdrce/ and follow the instructions on that page. You can immediately print your continuing education certificate from your personal transcript online. No fees are charged.

Posttest

1. Which of the following statements regarding diagnosis of environmental diseases are true?
   1. Extensive knowledge of toxicology is necessary.
   2. Signs and symptoms, onset and temporal pattern, physical examination, and laboratory results are important in making a diagnosis.
   3. Extensive laboratory and environmental testing is always necessary in making a diagnosis.
   4. Signs and symptoms of environmental diseases are often specific and never similar to common maladies.
2. The goals of an exposure history are
   1. identifying past and present toxic exposures
   2. ending the patient’s exposure to toxins
   3. proper treatment of the patient’s illness
   4. All of the above.
3. Angina pectoris can be exacerbated by which of the following?
   1. ethylene glycol
   2. methylene chloride
   3. carbon monoxide
   4. asbestos
4. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
   1. Complete evaluation of the form is necessary in every clinical situation.
   2. The completed form can be used to evaluate the patient’s present complaint and also as a database for future use.
   3. The completed form may alert the clinician to a significant past exposure.
   4. The forms can be self-administered.
5. All of the following statements are true except?
   1. Hobbies can be sources of toxic exposure to all household members.
   2. Labels required by law on household products are adequate in identifying product constituents.
   3. People often do not know the names of the toxicant to which they are routinely exposed.
   4. Family pets’ health and behavior can give clues to toxic exposure in the home.
6. Sources of information that may be helpful to the clinician in treating and managing an exposed patient include the following:
   1. MSDSs
   2. Poison control centers
   3. AOECs
   4. All of the above.
7. Sources of consultation in evaluating a potentially exposed patient include the following
   1. industrial hygienists
   2. toxicologists
   3. occupational specialists
   4. All of the above.
8. Which of the following statements regarding the exposure history process are true?
   1. Exploring the temporal aspects of signs and symptoms can provide clues to the source of exposure.
   2. Knowing job titles is necessary when attempting to identify toxic exposures.
   3. Employment handbooks are the best printed source to detail information on toxic exposures.
   4. None of the above.

Relevant Content

To review content relevant to the posttest questions, see

What Role Can Primary Care Clinicians Play in Detecting, Treating, and Preventing Disease Resulting from Toxic Exposures?

What Is the Purpose of Taking an Exposure History?

What Is Included in the Exposure Survey (Part 1) of an Exposure History Form?

What Role Can Primary Care Clinicians Play in Detecting, Treating, and Preventing Disease Resulting from Toxic Exposures?

What Are Other Toxicants in the Home and Environment?

Summary and Follow-Up

Summary and Follow-up

What Is Included in the Work History (Part 2) of an Exposure History Form?