Inhalation of cotton fiber dust over a long period of time is known as?

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2017

Explanation

Byssinosis is the specific occupational lung disease caused by chronic inhalation of dust from cotton, flax, or hemp.
It is commonly known as 'brown lung disease' and primarily affects workers in the textile industry.
A characteristic symptom is chest tightness and shortness of breath, which is typically worse on the first day of the work week (Monday morning tightness).

Option A: Bagassosis is caused by inhaling dust from moldy sugarcane fiber (bagasse), not cotton dust.
Option B: Farmer's lung is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by inhaling dust from moldy hay, straw, or grain, not cotton.
Option D: Arsenic is a toxic chemical and a known carcinogen that increases the risk of lung cancer upon inhalation, but it does not cause a specific pneumoconiosis like byssinosis.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Occupational Lung Diseases (Pneumoconiosis) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Occupational health nurses play a crucial role in preventing byssinosis through workplace assessments, promoting dust control measures (e.g., ventilation, wetting processes), and ensuring proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like respirators.
Screening and surveillance are key. Nurses conduct periodic spirometry tests to detect early changes in lung function among at-risk workers.
Patient education is vital. Nurses teach workers to recognize early symptoms, the importance of reporting them, and the increased risk associated with smoking.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question stem: 'inhalation of cotton fiber dust'.
This points directly to a specific occupational exposure.
Next, analyze the options provided. Each option is a named disease, likely related to occupational exposures.
Recall or deduce the specific cause for each disease. Byssinosis is classically associated with cotton dust.
Eliminate the other options based on their known causes: Bagassosis (sugarcane), Farmer's lung (moldy hay), and Arsenic (a chemical carcinogen, not a cause of this type of dust disease).
Confirm the match between 'cotton dust' and 'Byssinosis' to select the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart B (pp 233-449 of 464) p. 123-125

Practise the full KPSC Staff Nurse - 2017

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.