Which question should a nurse ask to gather data related to the cause of suspected silicosis?

Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling fine silica dust, often associated with occupations that involve working with silica, such as mining, quarrying, and construction. Therefore, asking if a patient has ever worked in a mine directly targets a high-risk environment for exposure to silica, which is crucial for determining the potential cause of their respiratory symptoms. This question connects the patient's occupational history with the likelihood of having been exposed to the silica dust that causes silicosis.

In contrast, the other options focus on habits and exposures that are not directly linked to silicosis. While chewing tobacco and smoking cigarettes could cause other respiratory problems, they are associated with different health issues rather than silica exposure. Similarly, inquiring about exposure to paint products does not specifically point to silicosis, as the components of paint are not typically related to silica dust. Therefore, the most relevant question for identifying the cause of suspected silicosis is related to work history in environments where silica exposure is common.