NBCSN Nationally Certified School Nurse Practice Exam 2025 - Free School Nurse Certification Practice Questions and Study Guide

Lead poisoning is a significant public health issue, especially in children, and the determination of what constitutes a toxic level of lead in the blood is guided by health organizations and research findings. The current reference level established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for children is set at 5 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dl). However, this level is primarily a threshold for action and public health intervention rather than a clear indication of toxicity.

When evaluating the possible answers, the chosen answer highlights that 10 mcg/dl is identified as a level at which clinical guidelines recommend further monitoring and intervention, indicating a recognized concern for toxic effects. While blood lead levels below this may not cause immediate symptoms, levels at or above 10 mcg/dl are associated with potential adverse health effects, particularly in developing children.

Thus, while the monitoring begins at 5 mcg/dl, the threshold that prompts intervention and is often deemed as a more definitive marker of lead exposure requiring follow-up is 10 mcg/dl, making it the appropriate choice in this context.