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ADVANCED COMMUNITY HEALTH HESI EXAM: PUBLIC HEALTH
NURSING EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026 EDITION
ADVANCED COMMUNITY HEALTH HESI EXAM: PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING
250 Questions with Detailed Rationales
QUESTIONS 1-50: FOUNDATIONS & EPIDEMIOLOGY
1. A public health nurse is planning a community health program for a rural county
with limited healthcare access. Which of the following actions best demonstrates
the core public health function of assurance?
A. Conducting a community health needs assessment to identify the population's most
pressing health concerns
B. Developing partnerships with local providers to ensure that essential health services
are available to all residents
C. Analyzing epidemiological data to determine the incidence of chronic diseases in the
target population
D. Creating educational materials about healthy lifestyle choices for distribution at
community events
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assurance is one of the three core public health functions and involves
ensuring that necessary health services are available to the community. This includes
developing partnerships with providers, monitoring service delivery, and advocating for
access to care. Conducting needs assessments (A) is part of the assessment function.
Analyzing data (C) is part of policy development. Education (D) is an intervention but not
specifically the assurance function.
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2. A community health nurse is investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A in a local
daycare center. Which of the following modes of transmission should the nurse
identify as the most likely cause of this outbreak?
A. Transmission through blood exposure from contaminated needles
B. Transmission through the fecal-oral route from contaminated food or surfaces
C. Transmission through respiratory droplets from infected children
D. Transmission through sexual contact with an infected individual
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hepatitis A is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, often via
contaminated food, water, or surfaces, particularly in settings like daycare centers
where diapering and toileting occur. Blood exposure (A) is associated with hepatitis B
and C. Respiratory droplets (C) are not a mode of transmission for hepatitis viruses.
Sexual contact (D) is a risk factor for hepatitis B, not hepatitis A.
3. A nurse is using the epidemiological triad to analyze a community's high rate of
tuberculosis. Which of the following components of the triad should the nurse
consider when evaluating the host factors?
A. The bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its virulence characteristics
B. The crowded living conditions and poor ventilation in the community
C. The individual's immune status and nutritional status
D. The presence of multidrug-resistant TB strains in the region
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The epidemiological triad consists of agent, host, and environment. Host
factors include characteristics of the susceptible individual or population, such as
immune status, nutritional status, age, and genetics. The agent (A) is the bacterium. The
environment (B) includes physical and social conditions. Drug-resistant strains (D)
relate to the agent.
4. A public health nurse is preparing to conduct a windshield survey of a low-
income urban neighborhood. Which of the following types of data should the nurse
expect to collect during this assessment?
A. Statistical data from the local health department about disease rates in the area
B. Direct observations of housing conditions, safety hazards, and available resources
C. Survey responses from residents about their health behaviors and healthcare access
D. Financial data about healthcare spending and insurance coverage in the population
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A windshield survey is a direct data collection method where the nurse
drives or walks through the community to observe physical characteristics such as
housing conditions, safety hazards, environmental factors, and available resources.
Statistical data (A) is secondary analysis. Survey responses (C) are primary data through
interviews. Financial data (D) is administrative data.
5. A nurse is reviewing the leading health indicators from Healthy People 2030 when
planning a health promotion program for adolescents. Which of the following
topics should the nurse prioritize for this population?
A. Retirement planning for financial security in later life
B. Tobacco use prevention and smoking cessation education
C. Medicare eligibility requirements for older adults
D. Long-term care options for chronic health conditions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tobacco use is a leading health indicator relevant to adolescents and is a
priority for health promotion programs targeting this age group. Retirement planning (A),
Medicare eligibility (C), and long-term care (D) are more relevant to older adult
populations.
6. A community health nurse is planning an immunization campaign targeting
children of migrant farm workers. Before exploring solution options, which data
should the nurse review first?
A. Information about funding sources for the immunization campaign
B. The number of community health workers available to assist with the campaign
C. Target population data including the number of migrant children in the community
D. Data from previous immunization programs implemented in other communities
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Before developing a program plan, the nurse should first review target
population data to understand the size, demographics, and specific needs of the
population being served. Funding (A), staffing (B), and other community data (D) should
be considered after identifying the target population.
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7. A nurse is providing care to a refugee client with very limited English proficiency.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure effective
communication?
A. Communicate using hand gestures and simple phrases to facilitate understanding
B. Ask another nurse who is more comfortable with refugees to work with the client
C. Obtain a professional interpreter to facilitate communication with the client
D. Search the internet for helpful information about the client's country of origin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When providing care to clients with limited English proficiency, the nurse
should obtain a professional interpreter to ensure accurate communication and respect
the client's cultural needs and right to privacy. Hand gestures (A) can be misinterpreted.
Referring the client to another nurse (B) does not address the communication barrier.
Internet research (D) does not facilitate direct communication.
8. A public health nurse is examining the five constructs of cultural competence.
The nurse is reflecting on personal values and beliefs and how they influence the
delivery of care. Which construct is the nurse demonstrating?
A. Cultural awareness through self-examination of one's own beliefs and values
B. Cultural desire through a genuine motivation to provide culturally competent care
C. Cultural encounter through direct interaction with diverse cultural groups
D. Cultural skill through the ability to conduct culturally sensitive assessments
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cultural awareness involves self-examination and in-depth exploration of
one's own beliefs and values as they influence behavior. Cultural desire (B) is the
motivation to be culturally competent. Cultural encounter (C) involves direct
interactions. Cultural skill (D) involves conducting cultural assessments.
9. A nurse is designing a bioterrorism preparedness plan for a community. Which of
the following biological agents are transmitted from person to person via
respiratory or inhalation exposure?
A. Ricin and botulism toxin
B. Pneumonic plague and smallpox
C. Cutaneous anthrax and brucellosis
D. Tularemia and Q fever
Correct Answer: B
ADVANCED COMMUNITY HEALTH HESI EXAM: PUBLIC HEALTH
NURSING EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026 EDITION
ADVANCED COMMUNITY HEALTH HESI EXAM: PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING
250 Questions with Detailed Rationales
QUESTIONS 1-50: FOUNDATIONS & EPIDEMIOLOGY
1. A public health nurse is planning a community health program for a rural county
with limited healthcare access. Which of the following actions best demonstrates
the core public health function of assurance?
A. Conducting a community health needs assessment to identify the population's most
pressing health concerns
B. Developing partnerships with local providers to ensure that essential health services
are available to all residents
C. Analyzing epidemiological data to determine the incidence of chronic diseases in the
target population
D. Creating educational materials about healthy lifestyle choices for distribution at
community events
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assurance is one of the three core public health functions and involves
ensuring that necessary health services are available to the community. This includes
developing partnerships with providers, monitoring service delivery, and advocating for
access to care. Conducting needs assessments (A) is part of the assessment function.
Analyzing data (C) is part of policy development. Education (D) is an intervention but not
specifically the assurance function.
, Page 2 of 90
2. A community health nurse is investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A in a local
daycare center. Which of the following modes of transmission should the nurse
identify as the most likely cause of this outbreak?
A. Transmission through blood exposure from contaminated needles
B. Transmission through the fecal-oral route from contaminated food or surfaces
C. Transmission through respiratory droplets from infected children
D. Transmission through sexual contact with an infected individual
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hepatitis A is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, often via
contaminated food, water, or surfaces, particularly in settings like daycare centers
where diapering and toileting occur. Blood exposure (A) is associated with hepatitis B
and C. Respiratory droplets (C) are not a mode of transmission for hepatitis viruses.
Sexual contact (D) is a risk factor for hepatitis B, not hepatitis A.
3. A nurse is using the epidemiological triad to analyze a community's high rate of
tuberculosis. Which of the following components of the triad should the nurse
consider when evaluating the host factors?
A. The bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its virulence characteristics
B. The crowded living conditions and poor ventilation in the community
C. The individual's immune status and nutritional status
D. The presence of multidrug-resistant TB strains in the region
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The epidemiological triad consists of agent, host, and environment. Host
factors include characteristics of the susceptible individual or population, such as
immune status, nutritional status, age, and genetics. The agent (A) is the bacterium. The
environment (B) includes physical and social conditions. Drug-resistant strains (D)
relate to the agent.
4. A public health nurse is preparing to conduct a windshield survey of a low-
income urban neighborhood. Which of the following types of data should the nurse
expect to collect during this assessment?
A. Statistical data from the local health department about disease rates in the area
B. Direct observations of housing conditions, safety hazards, and available resources
C. Survey responses from residents about their health behaviors and healthcare access
D. Financial data about healthcare spending and insurance coverage in the population
, Page 3 of 90
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A windshield survey is a direct data collection method where the nurse
drives or walks through the community to observe physical characteristics such as
housing conditions, safety hazards, environmental factors, and available resources.
Statistical data (A) is secondary analysis. Survey responses (C) are primary data through
interviews. Financial data (D) is administrative data.
5. A nurse is reviewing the leading health indicators from Healthy People 2030 when
planning a health promotion program for adolescents. Which of the following
topics should the nurse prioritize for this population?
A. Retirement planning for financial security in later life
B. Tobacco use prevention and smoking cessation education
C. Medicare eligibility requirements for older adults
D. Long-term care options for chronic health conditions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tobacco use is a leading health indicator relevant to adolescents and is a
priority for health promotion programs targeting this age group. Retirement planning (A),
Medicare eligibility (C), and long-term care (D) are more relevant to older adult
populations.
6. A community health nurse is planning an immunization campaign targeting
children of migrant farm workers. Before exploring solution options, which data
should the nurse review first?
A. Information about funding sources for the immunization campaign
B. The number of community health workers available to assist with the campaign
C. Target population data including the number of migrant children in the community
D. Data from previous immunization programs implemented in other communities
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Before developing a program plan, the nurse should first review target
population data to understand the size, demographics, and specific needs of the
population being served. Funding (A), staffing (B), and other community data (D) should
be considered after identifying the target population.
, Page 4 of 90
7. A nurse is providing care to a refugee client with very limited English proficiency.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure effective
communication?
A. Communicate using hand gestures and simple phrases to facilitate understanding
B. Ask another nurse who is more comfortable with refugees to work with the client
C. Obtain a professional interpreter to facilitate communication with the client
D. Search the internet for helpful information about the client's country of origin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When providing care to clients with limited English proficiency, the nurse
should obtain a professional interpreter to ensure accurate communication and respect
the client's cultural needs and right to privacy. Hand gestures (A) can be misinterpreted.
Referring the client to another nurse (B) does not address the communication barrier.
Internet research (D) does not facilitate direct communication.
8. A public health nurse is examining the five constructs of cultural competence.
The nurse is reflecting on personal values and beliefs and how they influence the
delivery of care. Which construct is the nurse demonstrating?
A. Cultural awareness through self-examination of one's own beliefs and values
B. Cultural desire through a genuine motivation to provide culturally competent care
C. Cultural encounter through direct interaction with diverse cultural groups
D. Cultural skill through the ability to conduct culturally sensitive assessments
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cultural awareness involves self-examination and in-depth exploration of
one's own beliefs and values as they influence behavior. Cultural desire (B) is the
motivation to be culturally competent. Cultural encounter (C) involves direct
interactions. Cultural skill (D) involves conducting cultural assessments.
9. A nurse is designing a bioterrorism preparedness plan for a community. Which of
the following biological agents are transmitted from person to person via
respiratory or inhalation exposure?
A. Ricin and botulism toxin
B. Pneumonic plague and smallpox
C. Cutaneous anthrax and brucellosis
D. Tularemia and Q fever
Correct Answer: B
