Concepts | Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027
1. Which of the following best describes the core function of public health that involves the systematic
collection and analysis of data to identify health problems and assets within a community?
A) Assurance
B) Policy Development
C) Assessment
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: Assessment is the first core public health function and includes activities like surveillance,
data analysis, and identifying community needs. Assurance focuses on ensuring services are available,
and Policy Development involves creating laws and regulations. Evaluation measures the effectiveness
of interventions.
2. What is the primary purpose of nursing theory according to community health nursing practice?
A) To demonstrate that nursing is a profession
B) To organize nursing knowledge
C) To improve nursing practice
D) To provide a framework for research
Correct Answer: To improve nursing practice
Rationale: The primary goal of theory in nursing is to improve nursing practice by guiding assessments,
interventions, and evaluations. While organizing knowledge and demonstrating professionalism are
secondary benefits, practice improvement remains the central purpose.
3. According to the Public Health Intervention Wheel, a nurse who conducts a needs assessment,
involves community stakeholders in planning, and implements a program is demonstrating which of the
following?
,A) The nursing process
B) Evidence-based practice
C) The public health intervention wheel framework
D) Community-based participatory research
Correct Answer: The public health intervention wheel framework
Rationale: The Public Health Intervention Wheel outlines 17 interventions including assessment,
planning, and implementation at the community level. This systematic approach aligns with the wheel's
framework rather than the individual-focused nursing process.
4. What is the number one priority of Healthy People 2020?
A) Reduce health disparities
B) Increase life expectancy
C) Improve access to healthcare
D) Eliminate preventable disease
Correct Answer: Increase life expectancy
Rationale: The primary priority of Healthy People 2020 is to increase life expectancy and improve quality
of life. While reducing disparities and improving access are also goals, increasing life expectancy is the
overarching priority.
5. Which of the following has the greatest influence on a community's health according to determinants
of health?
A) Access to quality healthcare
B) Physical environment
C) Individual behavior choices
D) Social environment
, Correct Answer: Individual behavior choices
Rationale: Behavior choices made by individuals have the greatest influence on community health.
While healthcare access, physical environment, and social factors are important determinants,
individual behaviors are the most significant modifiable factor.
6. A community health nurse is planning an intervention to reduce teenage smoking in a local high
school. Which level of prevention is the nurse implementing?
A) Primary prevention
B) Secondary prevention
C) Tertiary prevention
D) Quaternary prevention
Correct Answer: Primary prevention
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs through health education and
promoting healthy behaviors. Reducing teenage smoking through education is a primary prevention
strategy that targets the population before smoking initiation.
7. Which term refers to the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states and
events in specified populations?
A) Demography
B) Epidemiology
C) Biostatistics
D) Vital statistics
Correct Answer: Epidemiology
Rationale: Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health and disease in
populations. Demography studies population characteristics, biostatistics applies statistics to biological
data, and vital statistics track births and deaths.