CE Module: Respiratory Symptoms and Psychological Distress in Farmers Living With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This issue of Workplace Health & Safety contains a Continuing Nursing Education Module for 1.0 contact hour of continuing nursing education credit which will be awarded by AAOHN upon successful completion of the posttest and evaluation.

A certificate will be awarded when the following requirements are met by the participant: (1) Participant logs on to the AAOHN LMS website at www.aaohn.org/education/online-learning-center and enrolls in the course ($10 members; $15 non-members); (2) The completed posttest and course evaluation are entered online at http://www.aaohn.org by October 2026 (3) A score of 80% is achieved by the participant.

Upon completion of this lesson, the occupational health nurse will be able to:

• Discuss the importance of monitoring farmers for respiratory health and mental well-being.

• Identify the relationship between increased respiratory symptoms and psychological distress in farmers with COPD.

• Explain why it is important to enhance respiratory protection and adopt safer pesticide practices for farmers, especially for those with COPD.

The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. is an Approved Provider of continuing nursing education by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc., an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. is additionally approved as a CNE provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing (#CEP9283).

• 1. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease:

• b. Presents as chronic bronchitis or emphysema.

• c. Where risk factors for developing COPD include exposure to noxious substances such as smoking, dust, gases, and fumes.

• d. All the above.

2. The aim of this study is to:

a. Explore those environmental factors that exacerbate COPD symptoms.

b. Explore those psychosocial factors that cause mental distress.

c. Explore how the frequency of respiratory symptoms is associated with psychological distress.

d. Explore how psychosocial factors cause respiratory distress.

3. The study design of this study is:

a. Experimental.

b. Randomized controlled trial.

c. Cross-sectional.

d. Case report.

4. Farmers are at a greater risk than non-farmers for developing psychological distress because:

a. They work longer hours than everyone else.

b. Of uncertainty of finances, productivity, and market prices.

c. Nobody appreciates farmers.

d. Farmers have more children than other professions.

5. Recruitment of study participants was done only through face-to-face interviews.

a. True.

b. False.

6. Data collection for the study was done:

a. Online.

b. In person, by hand.

c. Over the telephone.

d. Via Skype.

7. Study participants were:

a. Eighty percent (80%) female.

b. Ninety percent (90%) Caucasians.

c. Average age of 60 years.

d. Seventy-seven percent (77%) males.

8. This study demonstrated:

a. Psychological distress caused shortness of breath.

b. Worsening COPD symptoms caused psychological distress.

c. A significant association between the frequency of respiratory symptoms and the level of psychological distress.

d. No significant relationship between the severity of respiratory symptoms and the level of psychological distress.

9. Limitations identified in the study include:

a. A correlational study does not demonstrate a causal relationship.

b. The surveys used were only written in English.

c. Multiple submissions were a risk because of the use of online surveys and monetary remuneration.

d. All of the above.

10. Implications for Occupational Health Nursing Practice include:

a. Comprehensive assessments should include respiratory and mental health evaluations.

b. All farmers should always be screened for exposure to noxious substances.

c. Refer all farmers for mental health screening.

d. All the above.