NAECB Environmental Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with dust mite allergy asks about the best mattress encasement. Which feature is MOST important?
- Thread count above 400
- Pore size of 10 microns or less (Correct answer)
- Waterproof vinyl coating
- Natural cotton material
Correct answer: Pore size of 10 microns or less
Encasements must have pore sizes of 10 microns or less to block dust mite allergen particles effectively.
Question 2: Which indoor relative humidity level BEST inhibits dust mite growth?
- 60–70%
- 50–60%
- Below 50% (Correct answer)
- Below 30%
Correct answer: Below 50%
Maintaining indoor relative humidity below 50% significantly inhibits dust mite survival and reproduction.
Question 3: A family reports cockroach infestation in their apartment. Which asthma educator recommendation is MOST evidence-based?
- Use fogger pesticide bombs monthly
- Seal cracks, fix leaks, and use boric acid baits (Correct answer)
- Place sticky traps only and avoid chemicals
- Request immediate relocation to another unit
Correct answer: Seal cracks, fix leaks, and use boric acid baits
Integrated pest management—sealing entry points, eliminating moisture, and using targeted baits—is the most evidence-based approach to cockroach control.
Question 4: Which statement about air purifiers with HEPA filters is MOST accurate for asthma management?
- They eliminate all asthma triggers including gases and odors
- They are effective for airborne particulates but not volatile organic compounds (Correct answer)
- They must cover the entire home to provide any benefit
- They are not recommended because they can spread allergens
Correct answer: They are effective for airborne particulates but not volatile organic compounds
HEPA filters capture particulate allergens effectively but do not remove gaseous pollutants or VOCs, which require activated carbon filters.
Question 5: A patient's child has a pet cat, and the family is unwilling to remove it. What is the NEXT best recommendation?
- Allow the cat only in the child's bedroom
- Keep the cat outdoors, wash hands after contact, and use HEPA filters (Correct answer)
- Bathe the cat daily to eliminate all allergen
- Use antihistamines and discontinue other environmental controls
Correct answer: Keep the cat outdoors, wash hands after contact, and use HEPA filters
When pet removal is not acceptable, keeping pets outdoors, handwashing, and using HEPA air filtration can reduce but not eliminate allergen exposure.
Question 6: Which characteristic of mold makes it particularly problematic as an asthma trigger?
- Mold only grows in warm tropical climates
- Mold spores can remain airborne for extended periods (Correct answer)
- Mold allergen is only present during summer months
- Mold produces carbon monoxide as a byproduct
Correct answer: Mold spores can remain airborne for extended periods
Mold spores are lightweight and can remain suspended in air for long periods, making inhalation exposure difficult to avoid once contamination is present.
Question 7: An asthma patient lives near a highway. Which outdoor air pollutant from vehicle traffic is MOST associated with asthma exacerbations?
- Carbon dioxide
- Nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter (PM2.5) (Correct answer)
- Water vapor
- Argon
Correct answer: Nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter (PM2.5)
Nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from vehicle exhaust are strongly linked to asthma exacerbation and airway inflammation.
NAECB Environmental Control 2
A patient with dust mite allergy asks about the best mattress encasement.
Which feature is MOST important?