,NUR 206 Community Nursing Concepts Exam 3
Study Guide & 150 Practice Questions Fortis
College 2026/2027
1. A community health nurse is analyzing county-level data and finds that the incidence of type
2 diabetes has increased by 12% over five years, while the prevalence has increased by 8% over
the same period. Which interpretation best explains the discrepancy between incidence and
prevalence rates?
A. Improved treatment and longer survival of individuals with diabetes have increased
prevalence relative to incidence.
B. The population at risk has decreased, causing incidence to rise faster than prevalence.
C. A higher number of new cases are being diagnosed but many are migrating out of the county,
reducing prevalence.
D. Screening programs have reduced the number of undiagnosed cases, increasing prevalence
more than incidence.
Correct Answer: C. A higher number of new cases are being diagnosed but many are migrating
out of the county, reducing prevalence.
Rationale: Prevalence depends on both incidence and disease duration. If incidence rises faster
than prevalence, it suggests that the average duration of disease has decreased, potentially due
to shorter survival, effective treatment leading to cure, or migration out of the area.
,2. A community health nurse is investigating an outbreak of foodborne illness at a local church
picnic. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Implement control measures to prevent further transmission
B. Establish the existence of an outbreak by comparing observed cases to expected cases
C. Perform a case-control study to identify the source
D. Write a report for the health department
Correct Answer: B. Establish the existence of an outbreak by comparing observed cases to
expected cases
Rationale: The first step in outbreak investigation is to establish the existence of an outbreak by
determining whether the number of cases exceeds what is normally expected.
3. A nurse is calculating the attack rate during a foodborne illness outbreak. Of 200 people who
ate potato salad at a community picnic, 80 became ill. What is the attack rate?
A. 20%
B. 40%
C. 60%
, D. 80%
Correct Answer: B. 40%
Rationale: Attack rate = (Number of cases among exposed ÷ Total number exposed) × 100. 80 ÷
200 × 100 = 40%.
4. A community health nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a needle exchange program.
Which outcome measure provides the strongest evidence of population-level impact on
reducing bloodborne infections?
A. Number of needles distributed per month.
B. Self-reported reduction in needle sharing among participants.
C. Decline in incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in the community.
D. Increase in referrals to substance use treatment programs.
Correct Answer: C. Decline in incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in the community.
Rationale: The ultimate goal of needle exchange programs is to reduce transmission of
bloodborne infections. A decline in disease incidence in the target community provides the
strongest evidence of population-level impact.
Study Guide & 150 Practice Questions Fortis
College 2026/2027
1. A community health nurse is analyzing county-level data and finds that the incidence of type
2 diabetes has increased by 12% over five years, while the prevalence has increased by 8% over
the same period. Which interpretation best explains the discrepancy between incidence and
prevalence rates?
A. Improved treatment and longer survival of individuals with diabetes have increased
prevalence relative to incidence.
B. The population at risk has decreased, causing incidence to rise faster than prevalence.
C. A higher number of new cases are being diagnosed but many are migrating out of the county,
reducing prevalence.
D. Screening programs have reduced the number of undiagnosed cases, increasing prevalence
more than incidence.
Correct Answer: C. A higher number of new cases are being diagnosed but many are migrating
out of the county, reducing prevalence.
Rationale: Prevalence depends on both incidence and disease duration. If incidence rises faster
than prevalence, it suggests that the average duration of disease has decreased, potentially due
to shorter survival, effective treatment leading to cure, or migration out of the area.
,2. A community health nurse is investigating an outbreak of foodborne illness at a local church
picnic. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Implement control measures to prevent further transmission
B. Establish the existence of an outbreak by comparing observed cases to expected cases
C. Perform a case-control study to identify the source
D. Write a report for the health department
Correct Answer: B. Establish the existence of an outbreak by comparing observed cases to
expected cases
Rationale: The first step in outbreak investigation is to establish the existence of an outbreak by
determining whether the number of cases exceeds what is normally expected.
3. A nurse is calculating the attack rate during a foodborne illness outbreak. Of 200 people who
ate potato salad at a community picnic, 80 became ill. What is the attack rate?
A. 20%
B. 40%
C. 60%
, D. 80%
Correct Answer: B. 40%
Rationale: Attack rate = (Number of cases among exposed ÷ Total number exposed) × 100. 80 ÷
200 × 100 = 40%.
4. A community health nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a needle exchange program.
Which outcome measure provides the strongest evidence of population-level impact on
reducing bloodborne infections?
A. Number of needles distributed per month.
B. Self-reported reduction in needle sharing among participants.
C. Decline in incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in the community.
D. Increase in referrals to substance use treatment programs.
Correct Answer: C. Decline in incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in the community.
Rationale: The ultimate goal of needle exchange programs is to reduce transmission of
bloodborne infections. A decline in disease incidence in the target community provides the
strongest evidence of population-level impact.
