Community/Public Health Nursing — Exam Review
Community/Public Health Nursing Exam
Review | 2026/2027
60 Practice Questions with Correct Answers and Rationales | Population-Focused Care,
Health Promotion & Systems-Level Clinical Judgmen
t
Community/Public Health Nursing Exam Review — 60 practice questions aligned with NCSBN
NCLEX-RN Detailed Test Plans (Health Promotion and Maintenance; Safe and Effective Care
Environment: Coordinated Care/Safety), APHA Public Health Nursing Standards, CDC Community
Health Guidelines, and WHO Primary Health Care Framework. Part 1 covers foundations of
community health nursing, community assessment and epidemiology, health promotion and disease
prevention, vulnerable populations and health equity, and case management and care coordination. All
answers include evidence-based rationales.
Foundations of Community Health Nursing
1. A public health nurse is planning interventions for a community experiencing a rise in childhood
obesity. Which approach best reflects a population-focused strategy rather than an individual-focused
one?
A. Counseling individual families about portion control and meal planning during home visits
B. Collaborating with the school district to implement nutrition standards and
mandatory physical activity in all elementary schools
C. Referring overweight children to pediatric dietitians for one-on-one nutritional counseling
D. Providing BMI screening and growth chart documentation at annual well-child visits
Correct Answer: B — Collaborating with the school district to implement nutrition standards
and mandatory physical activity in all elementary schools
Rationale: Population-focused nursing targets entire communities or groups rather than individuals,
emphasizing prevention and systemic change. Collaborating with a school district to implement
system-wide nutrition standards and physical activity policies addresses the community as a whole
and creates sustainable environmental changes. Individual counseling, referrals, and clinical
screenings, while valuable, focus on individual patients rather than the population.
2. The core functions of public health are Assessment, Policy Development, and Assurance. Which
nursing action best exemplifies the Assurance function?
A. Conducting a community health needs assessment to identify the leading causes of
morbidity
B. Advocating for smoke-free ordinances at a city council meeting
1
, Community/Public Health Nursing — Exam Review
C. Providing childhood immunizations at a public health clinic and verifying vaccine
coverage rates
D. Surveying community residents about barriers to accessing mental health services
Correct Answer: C — Providing childhood immunizations at a public health clinic and
verifying vaccine coverage rates
Rationale: The Assurance function ensures that communities have access to necessary health services
and that public health standards are met. Providing immunizations and verifying coverage rates
directly ensures that the population receives essential preventive services and that health goals are
achieved. Assessment involves data collection and monitoring, while Policy Development involves
creating laws, rules, and guidelines to protect health.
3. A community health nurse is planning a program to prevent type 2 diabetes in a high-risk
neighborhood. The nurse implements weekly nutrition classes, arranges a partnership with a local
grocery store to offer fresh produce at reduced prices, and organizes neighborhood walking groups.
Which level of prevention do these interventions represent?
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Correct Answer: A — Primary prevention
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs by reducing risk factors and
promoting health in at-risk populations. Nutrition education, improving access to healthy foods, and
encouraging physical activity all target modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes before the disease
develops. Secondary prevention involves early detection through screening (e.g., blood glucose
testing), and tertiary prevention focuses on managing established disease and preventing
complications.
4. A nurse manages a stroke rehabilitation program that includes physical therapy, speech therapy,
support groups, and medication management education for stroke survivors. This program is an
example of which level of prevention?
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Health promotion
Correct Answer: C — Tertiary prevention
Rationale: Tertiary prevention aims to reduce complications, limit disability, and restore function in
individuals who already have a disease or condition. A stroke rehabilitation program addresses
established disease by maximizing recovery, preventing further deterioration, and improving quality
of life. Primary prevention would target stroke risk factors (e.g., hypertension control), and secondary
prevention would involve screening for transient ischemic attacks or early cerebrovascular disease.
2
, Community/Public Health Nursing — Exam Review
5. The Essential Public Health Services framework consists of 10 core services organized around the
three core functions of public health. Which of the following is classified under the Assessment
function?
A. Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems
B. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems
C. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety
D. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care
Correct Answer: B — Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems
Rationale: Monitoring health status to identify community health problems is one of the three
Essential Services under the Assessment core function (along with diagnosing and investigating
health hazards). Mobilizing community partnerships falls under Policy Development, while enforcing
laws and linking people to services fall under Assurance. The 10 Essential Services provide a
comprehensive framework for public health practice.
6. A public health nurse is reviewing the Healthy People 2030 framework to guide program planning.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of the Leading Health Indicators in this
framework?
A. They provide detailed clinical guidelines for diagnosing chronic conditions in community
settings.
B. They represent high-priority health topics that address key determinants of health,
promote equity, and measure progress toward improving health outcomes.
C. They establish mandatory vaccination schedules for all age groups in the United States.
D. They define the legal scope of practice for public health nurses at the state level.
Correct Answer: B — They represent high-priority health topics that address key determinants
of health, promote equity, and measure progress toward improving health outcomes.
Rationale: Healthy People 2030 Leading Health Indicators are a subset of high-priority objectives
selected to communicate high-priority health issues and actions that can be taken to address them.
They cover topics such as substance use, mental health, injury and violence, environmental quality,
and access to healthcare, and are designed to drive progress toward national health goals while
promoting health equity.
Community Assessment & Epidemiology Basics
7. A community health nurse is conducting a windshield survey of a neighborhood. While driving
through the area, the nurse observes numerous abandoned buildings, overgrown vacant lots, absent
sidewalks, and no visible grocery stores or fresh food markets. Which conclusion is most appropriate
based on these findings?
A. The neighborhood has adequate housing stock and well-maintained infrastructure.
3
, Community/Public Health Nursing — Exam Review
B. The community may face challenges related to the built environment, including safety
concerns, food insecurity, and barriers to physical activity.
C. Windshield surveys are insufficient and the nurse should rely solely on census data for
community assessment.
D. The presence of vacant lots indicates that the community has ample green space for
recreational use.
Correct Answer: B — The community may face challenges related to the built environment,
including safety concerns, food insecurity, and barriers to physical activity.
Rationale: A windshield survey systematically observes the physical environment of a community,
including housing, open spaces, transportation, services, and environmental quality. Abandoned
buildings, overgrown lots, absent sidewalks, and lack of grocery stores suggest environmental
hazards, limited access to nutritious food (a food desert), and barriers to physical activity—all of
which are Social Determinants of Health that negatively impact community well-being.
8. A public health nurse needs data on the leading causes of death in a county and the age-adjusted
mortality rates by race and ethnicity. Which type of data source is most appropriate for obtaining this
information?
A. A community focus group conducted at a local church to gather resident opinions on health
concerns
B. Vital statistics reports from the state department of health and CDC WONDER
database
C. Key informant interviews with local business owners about employee health issues
D. A door-to-door survey administered by community health workers
Correct Answer: B — Vital statistics reports from the state department of health and CDC
WONDER database
Rationale: Vital statistics (death certificates, birth certificates) and CDC WONDER (Wide-ranging
Online Data for Epidemiologic Research) provide population-level, validated mortality data
including cause of death and demographic breakdowns. These are secondary data sources that offer
reliable, standardized information for epidemiological analysis. Focus groups, interviews, and
community surveys are primary data collection methods better suited for gathering qualitative
information about community perceptions and experiences.
9. In a county of 50,000 people, 250 new cases of influenza were diagnosed during the month of
January. What is the incidence rate of influenza for that month?
A. 5 per 1,000 population per month
B. 250 per 50,000 population per month
C. 0.5 per 100 population per month
D. Both A and B are correct representations of the incidence rate.
Correct Answer: D — Both A and B are correct representations of the incidence rate.
4
Community/Public Health Nursing Exam
Review | 2026/2027
60 Practice Questions with Correct Answers and Rationales | Population-Focused Care,
Health Promotion & Systems-Level Clinical Judgmen
t
Community/Public Health Nursing Exam Review — 60 practice questions aligned with NCSBN
NCLEX-RN Detailed Test Plans (Health Promotion and Maintenance; Safe and Effective Care
Environment: Coordinated Care/Safety), APHA Public Health Nursing Standards, CDC Community
Health Guidelines, and WHO Primary Health Care Framework. Part 1 covers foundations of
community health nursing, community assessment and epidemiology, health promotion and disease
prevention, vulnerable populations and health equity, and case management and care coordination. All
answers include evidence-based rationales.
Foundations of Community Health Nursing
1. A public health nurse is planning interventions for a community experiencing a rise in childhood
obesity. Which approach best reflects a population-focused strategy rather than an individual-focused
one?
A. Counseling individual families about portion control and meal planning during home visits
B. Collaborating with the school district to implement nutrition standards and
mandatory physical activity in all elementary schools
C. Referring overweight children to pediatric dietitians for one-on-one nutritional counseling
D. Providing BMI screening and growth chart documentation at annual well-child visits
Correct Answer: B — Collaborating with the school district to implement nutrition standards
and mandatory physical activity in all elementary schools
Rationale: Population-focused nursing targets entire communities or groups rather than individuals,
emphasizing prevention and systemic change. Collaborating with a school district to implement
system-wide nutrition standards and physical activity policies addresses the community as a whole
and creates sustainable environmental changes. Individual counseling, referrals, and clinical
screenings, while valuable, focus on individual patients rather than the population.
2. The core functions of public health are Assessment, Policy Development, and Assurance. Which
nursing action best exemplifies the Assurance function?
A. Conducting a community health needs assessment to identify the leading causes of
morbidity
B. Advocating for smoke-free ordinances at a city council meeting
1
, Community/Public Health Nursing — Exam Review
C. Providing childhood immunizations at a public health clinic and verifying vaccine
coverage rates
D. Surveying community residents about barriers to accessing mental health services
Correct Answer: C — Providing childhood immunizations at a public health clinic and
verifying vaccine coverage rates
Rationale: The Assurance function ensures that communities have access to necessary health services
and that public health standards are met. Providing immunizations and verifying coverage rates
directly ensures that the population receives essential preventive services and that health goals are
achieved. Assessment involves data collection and monitoring, while Policy Development involves
creating laws, rules, and guidelines to protect health.
3. A community health nurse is planning a program to prevent type 2 diabetes in a high-risk
neighborhood. The nurse implements weekly nutrition classes, arranges a partnership with a local
grocery store to offer fresh produce at reduced prices, and organizes neighborhood walking groups.
Which level of prevention do these interventions represent?
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Correct Answer: A — Primary prevention
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs by reducing risk factors and
promoting health in at-risk populations. Nutrition education, improving access to healthy foods, and
encouraging physical activity all target modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes before the disease
develops. Secondary prevention involves early detection through screening (e.g., blood glucose
testing), and tertiary prevention focuses on managing established disease and preventing
complications.
4. A nurse manages a stroke rehabilitation program that includes physical therapy, speech therapy,
support groups, and medication management education for stroke survivors. This program is an
example of which level of prevention?
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Health promotion
Correct Answer: C — Tertiary prevention
Rationale: Tertiary prevention aims to reduce complications, limit disability, and restore function in
individuals who already have a disease or condition. A stroke rehabilitation program addresses
established disease by maximizing recovery, preventing further deterioration, and improving quality
of life. Primary prevention would target stroke risk factors (e.g., hypertension control), and secondary
prevention would involve screening for transient ischemic attacks or early cerebrovascular disease.
2
, Community/Public Health Nursing — Exam Review
5. The Essential Public Health Services framework consists of 10 core services organized around the
three core functions of public health. Which of the following is classified under the Assessment
function?
A. Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems
B. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems
C. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety
D. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care
Correct Answer: B — Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems
Rationale: Monitoring health status to identify community health problems is one of the three
Essential Services under the Assessment core function (along with diagnosing and investigating
health hazards). Mobilizing community partnerships falls under Policy Development, while enforcing
laws and linking people to services fall under Assurance. The 10 Essential Services provide a
comprehensive framework for public health practice.
6. A public health nurse is reviewing the Healthy People 2030 framework to guide program planning.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of the Leading Health Indicators in this
framework?
A. They provide detailed clinical guidelines for diagnosing chronic conditions in community
settings.
B. They represent high-priority health topics that address key determinants of health,
promote equity, and measure progress toward improving health outcomes.
C. They establish mandatory vaccination schedules for all age groups in the United States.
D. They define the legal scope of practice for public health nurses at the state level.
Correct Answer: B — They represent high-priority health topics that address key determinants
of health, promote equity, and measure progress toward improving health outcomes.
Rationale: Healthy People 2030 Leading Health Indicators are a subset of high-priority objectives
selected to communicate high-priority health issues and actions that can be taken to address them.
They cover topics such as substance use, mental health, injury and violence, environmental quality,
and access to healthcare, and are designed to drive progress toward national health goals while
promoting health equity.
Community Assessment & Epidemiology Basics
7. A community health nurse is conducting a windshield survey of a neighborhood. While driving
through the area, the nurse observes numerous abandoned buildings, overgrown vacant lots, absent
sidewalks, and no visible grocery stores or fresh food markets. Which conclusion is most appropriate
based on these findings?
A. The neighborhood has adequate housing stock and well-maintained infrastructure.
3
, Community/Public Health Nursing — Exam Review
B. The community may face challenges related to the built environment, including safety
concerns, food insecurity, and barriers to physical activity.
C. Windshield surveys are insufficient and the nurse should rely solely on census data for
community assessment.
D. The presence of vacant lots indicates that the community has ample green space for
recreational use.
Correct Answer: B — The community may face challenges related to the built environment,
including safety concerns, food insecurity, and barriers to physical activity.
Rationale: A windshield survey systematically observes the physical environment of a community,
including housing, open spaces, transportation, services, and environmental quality. Abandoned
buildings, overgrown lots, absent sidewalks, and lack of grocery stores suggest environmental
hazards, limited access to nutritious food (a food desert), and barriers to physical activity—all of
which are Social Determinants of Health that negatively impact community well-being.
8. A public health nurse needs data on the leading causes of death in a county and the age-adjusted
mortality rates by race and ethnicity. Which type of data source is most appropriate for obtaining this
information?
A. A community focus group conducted at a local church to gather resident opinions on health
concerns
B. Vital statistics reports from the state department of health and CDC WONDER
database
C. Key informant interviews with local business owners about employee health issues
D. A door-to-door survey administered by community health workers
Correct Answer: B — Vital statistics reports from the state department of health and CDC
WONDER database
Rationale: Vital statistics (death certificates, birth certificates) and CDC WONDER (Wide-ranging
Online Data for Epidemiologic Research) provide population-level, validated mortality data
including cause of death and demographic breakdowns. These are secondary data sources that offer
reliable, standardized information for epidemiological analysis. Focus groups, interviews, and
community surveys are primary data collection methods better suited for gathering qualitative
information about community perceptions and experiences.
9. In a county of 50,000 people, 250 new cases of influenza were diagnosed during the month of
January. What is the incidence rate of influenza for that month?
A. 5 per 1,000 population per month
B. 250 per 50,000 population per month
C. 0.5 per 100 population per month
D. Both A and B are correct representations of the incidence rate.
Correct Answer: D — Both A and B are correct representations of the incidence rate.
4
