Final answer:
The first 'P' in the mnemonic I PREPARE stands for 'Past work', where the nurse collects data related to the patient's previous occupational history and potential exposures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mnemonic I PREPARE is used by nurses and other healthcare professionals to guide the collection of an environmental health exposure history. Focusing on the first "P" in I PREPARE, which stands for Past work, the nurse would collect data related to the patient's previous occupational history. This includes the industries they have worked in, the duration of their employment, possible exposure to toxins, chemicals, or hazardous conditions, and any related health symptoms or conditions they may have experienced as a result.