A Review of Asbestos and Related Consequences

1. Of the following, which is an example of a desirable property of asbestos?

   • A) Conduction of electricity
   • B) Ability to be easily degradable
   • C) Ability to dissolve in water
   • D) Resistance to destruction

2. World asbestos fiber production began to decline by which year?

   • A) 1970
   • B) 2000
   • C) 2002
   • D) 2005

3. The first report of asbestos-related health problems can be traced back to:

   • A) 1899
   • B) 1940
   • C) 1977
   • D) 2000

4. What are the two main mineral groups of asbestos?

   • A) Chrysotile and Amphiboles
   • B) Serpentines and Amphiboles
   • C) Serpentine and Chrysotile
   • D) Tremolite and Chrysotile

5. What type of asbestos was known to make up 90% of the world's asbestos production and approximately 95% of asbestos mined globally?

   • A) Chrysotile
   • B) Anthophyllite
   • C) Tremolite
   • D) Actinolite

6. Houses built in which year are most likely to have had asbestos used in their construction or insulation?

   • A) 2000
   • B) 1989
   • C) 1977
   • D) 1940

7. What is the time interval between exposure to asbestos and diagnosis of an asbestos-causing disease?

   • A) Several days
   • B) Several weeks
   • C) Several months
   • D) Several years

8. Which of the following modes of asbestos exposure is the most hazardous in regard to health risk?

   • A) Ingestion
   • B) Contact
   • C) Inhalation
   • D) Visual

9. Which federal organization classifies the hazards of asbestos?

   • A) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
   • B) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
   • C) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
   • D) The U.S. Geological Survey

10. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, asbestos can only be identified by:

    • A) Visual inspection of fibers by a trained professional
    • B) Length and durability of presumed fibers
    • C) Radiologic testing
    • D) Polarized light microscopy

11. If asbestos is suspected be in the home, the best recommendation for the homeowners would be to:

    • A) Remove the damaged asbestos themselves as soon as possible to minimize potential exposure
    • B) Leave the damaged asbestos
    • C) Leave the undamaged asbestos undisturbed
    • D) Remove the undamaged asbestos themselves as soon as possible to minimize potential exposure

12. The increase in potential health-related problems associated with asbestos has led to efforts to use alternative materials such as:

    • A) Cellulose fibers
    • B) Glass fibers
    • C) Synthetic fibers
    • D) All of the above

13. Of the following, those at greatest risk for asbestos exposure that may lead to health-related problems are:

    • A) Family members of those exposed to asbestos
    • B) People living in rural areas
    • C) Demolition workers
    • D) Tobacco smokers

14. Dangerous effects of asbestos are highly dependent on which of the following?

    • A) Cumulative exposure
    • B) Elapsed time since exposure
    • C) Physical-chemical properties of asbestos fibers
    • D) All of the above

15. Exposure to asbestos usually causes all of the following pleural manifestations except:

    • A) Effusion
    • B) Infection
    • C) Plaques
    • D) Thickening

16. Which of the following asbestos-related diseases can cause pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure?

    • A) Asbestosis
    • B) Lung cancer
    • C) Malignant mesothelioma
    • D) Lymphosarcoma

17. What type of malignant disease, other than pulmonary, may result from exposure to asbestos?

    • A) Colon cancer
    • B) Gastrointestinal cancer
    • C) Pancreatic cancer
    • D) Skin cancer

18. Which federal organization is responsible for developing and enforcing regulations necessary to protect the general public from exposure?

    • A) The U.S. Geological Survey
    • B) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
    • C) The Environmental Protection Agency
    • D) Local health departments

19. Pharmacists should promote which of the following interventions for patients with suspected or confirmed asbestos-related disease?

    • A) Smoking cessation
    • B) Pneumonia and infuenza vaccinations
    • C) Appropriate management of any pulmonary disorders
    • D) All of the above

20. Which of the following health care professionals should be involved in the care of persons with asbestos-related diseases?

    • A) Nurses
    • B) Pharmacists
    • C) Physicians
    • D) All of the above