RN Community Health 2026 | Ultimate Study Guide and
Practice Test
ATI Community Health Exam Practice Test
This comprehensive 60-question practice exam is modeled after the ATI RN Community Health
Exam and includes detailed rationales to strengthen your test preparation.
Question 1 of 60
A public health nurse is conducting a home visit for a client recently diagnosed with tuberculosis
(TB). Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Instruct the client to wear a surgical mask when others are present.
B. Teach the client about the importance of completing the prescribed medication.
C. Assess whether household members have been exposed to the client.
D. Recommend that the client receive the influenza vaccine.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nursing process begins with assessment. In community health, when a client is
diagnosed with a highly communicable disease like TB, the priority is to identify and assess
potential contacts (contact tracing) to prevent further spread in the community. While teaching
about medication (B) is crucial for treatment adherence, and wearing a mask (A) and getting a
flu vaccine (D) are important interventions, assessing the immediate risk to household members
and the community takes priority.
• A is incorrect: Source control (masking) is important, but assessment of exposure takes
precedence.
• B is incorrect: Education is vital, but assessing the spread of the disease comes first.
• D is incorrect: The flu vaccine is recommended to prevent secondary respiratory
infections, but it is not the first priority during the initial home visit.
,Question 2 of 60
A community health nurse is reviewing laboratory reports to determine the incidence of a
disease. Which of the following data should the nurse use?
A. The number of existing cases of the disease in the population.
B. The number of new cases of the disease in the population.
C. The number of deaths caused by the disease in the population.
D. The total number of hospitalizations related to the disease.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disease in a specific population
during a specific time period. It measures the risk of developing the disease.
• A is incorrect: This describes prevalence (the total number of existing cases).
• C is incorrect: This describes the mortality rate.
• D is incorrect: This describes morbidity or hospitalization rates, but not specifically
incidence.
Question 3 of 60
A nurse is participating in a disaster drill. According to the triage system used during a mass
casualty event, which client should the nurse prioritize for immediate treatment?
A. A client with a fractured femur and a bounding pulse.
B. A client with a penetrating abdominal wound and evisceration.
C. A client with minor lacerations and a blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg.
D. A client who is apneic and pulseless upon arrival.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In mass casualty triage (e.g., START triage), clients are categorized by color. Red
(Immediate) indicates life-threatening injuries that require immediate intervention but have a
high chance of survival. A penetrating abdominal wound with evisceration is a life-threatening
emergency requiring immediate surgical intervention.
, • A is incorrect: A fractured femur with a bounding pulse is categorized as Yellow
(Delayed).
• C is incorrect: Minor lacerations are categorized as Green (Minor).
• D is incorrect: Apneic and pulseless clients are categorized as Black
(Expectant/Deceased), meaning they receive comfort care and are not prioritized when
resources are scarce.
Question 4 of 60
A community health nurse is planning a primary prevention program for obesity. Which of the
following activities should the nurse include?
A. Providing nutrition education classes to school-aged children.
B. Screening adults for hypertension and diabetes.
C. Referring obese clients to a bariatric surgery clinic.
D. Conducting support groups for clients who have had weight loss surgery.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent the disease or condition before it occurs.
Providing nutrition education to children is an example of primary prevention.
• B is incorrect: Screening is secondary prevention (early detection).
• C is incorrect: Referral for surgery is tertiary prevention (treatment of existing disease).
• D is incorrect: Support groups post-surgery are tertiary prevention.
Question 5 of 60
A nurse is conducting a windshield survey of a new community. Which of the following should
the nurse identify as a priority for the community assessment?
A. The number of fast-food restaurants in the area.
B. The presence of sidewalks and safe parks.
C. The average income of the residents.
D. The types of religious institutions available.
Practice Test
ATI Community Health Exam Practice Test
This comprehensive 60-question practice exam is modeled after the ATI RN Community Health
Exam and includes detailed rationales to strengthen your test preparation.
Question 1 of 60
A public health nurse is conducting a home visit for a client recently diagnosed with tuberculosis
(TB). Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Instruct the client to wear a surgical mask when others are present.
B. Teach the client about the importance of completing the prescribed medication.
C. Assess whether household members have been exposed to the client.
D. Recommend that the client receive the influenza vaccine.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nursing process begins with assessment. In community health, when a client is
diagnosed with a highly communicable disease like TB, the priority is to identify and assess
potential contacts (contact tracing) to prevent further spread in the community. While teaching
about medication (B) is crucial for treatment adherence, and wearing a mask (A) and getting a
flu vaccine (D) are important interventions, assessing the immediate risk to household members
and the community takes priority.
• A is incorrect: Source control (masking) is important, but assessment of exposure takes
precedence.
• B is incorrect: Education is vital, but assessing the spread of the disease comes first.
• D is incorrect: The flu vaccine is recommended to prevent secondary respiratory
infections, but it is not the first priority during the initial home visit.
,Question 2 of 60
A community health nurse is reviewing laboratory reports to determine the incidence of a
disease. Which of the following data should the nurse use?
A. The number of existing cases of the disease in the population.
B. The number of new cases of the disease in the population.
C. The number of deaths caused by the disease in the population.
D. The total number of hospitalizations related to the disease.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disease in a specific population
during a specific time period. It measures the risk of developing the disease.
• A is incorrect: This describes prevalence (the total number of existing cases).
• C is incorrect: This describes the mortality rate.
• D is incorrect: This describes morbidity or hospitalization rates, but not specifically
incidence.
Question 3 of 60
A nurse is participating in a disaster drill. According to the triage system used during a mass
casualty event, which client should the nurse prioritize for immediate treatment?
A. A client with a fractured femur and a bounding pulse.
B. A client with a penetrating abdominal wound and evisceration.
C. A client with minor lacerations and a blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg.
D. A client who is apneic and pulseless upon arrival.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In mass casualty triage (e.g., START triage), clients are categorized by color. Red
(Immediate) indicates life-threatening injuries that require immediate intervention but have a
high chance of survival. A penetrating abdominal wound with evisceration is a life-threatening
emergency requiring immediate surgical intervention.
, • A is incorrect: A fractured femur with a bounding pulse is categorized as Yellow
(Delayed).
• C is incorrect: Minor lacerations are categorized as Green (Minor).
• D is incorrect: Apneic and pulseless clients are categorized as Black
(Expectant/Deceased), meaning they receive comfort care and are not prioritized when
resources are scarce.
Question 4 of 60
A community health nurse is planning a primary prevention program for obesity. Which of the
following activities should the nurse include?
A. Providing nutrition education classes to school-aged children.
B. Screening adults for hypertension and diabetes.
C. Referring obese clients to a bariatric surgery clinic.
D. Conducting support groups for clients who have had weight loss surgery.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent the disease or condition before it occurs.
Providing nutrition education to children is an example of primary prevention.
• B is incorrect: Screening is secondary prevention (early detection).
• C is incorrect: Referral for surgery is tertiary prevention (treatment of existing disease).
• D is incorrect: Support groups post-surgery are tertiary prevention.
Question 5 of 60
A nurse is conducting a windshield survey of a new community. Which of the following should
the nurse identify as a priority for the community assessment?
A. The number of fast-food restaurants in the area.
B. The presence of sidewalks and safe parks.
C. The average income of the residents.
D. The types of religious institutions available.
