COMMUNITY NURSING EXAM 2 2026/2027 | STUDY GUIDE,
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The nurse working in the community is aware that there are different models for studying the
epidemiology of a health condition in a population. One model of investigation of the interrelationships
and characteristics of disease is the epidemiologic triangle. This model analyzes what three elements?
A) Incidence, prevalence, and etiology
B) Agent, host, and environment
C) Person, place, and time
D) Virus, bacteria, and fungus - Correct answer✅✅ B) Agent, host, and environment
The epidemiologic triangle considers the extent of the host's exposure to the agent, the virulence of the
agent, and the host's genetic or immunologic susceptibility to the agent. Environmental conditions at
the time of exposure are also considered. Examination of these three elements allows assessment of the
problem, determination of protective factors, and evaluation of the vulnerability of the host to disease.
The person-place-time model organized epidemiologists' investigations of the disease pattern in the
community. Answers A and D do not represent an epidemiologic model.
When chronic disease became a more important cause of death in developed countries, different
epidemiologic models were developed to study the many factors involved in the development of these
health conditions. Which of the following is an example of such a model?
A) Person-place-time model
B) Epidemiologic triangle
C) Web of causation
D) Wheel model - Correct answer✅✅ C) Web of causation
Chronic disease is marked by a complexity of relationships among causal factors. The web of causation
model illustrates the interrelationships. The person-place-time model organized epidemiologists'
investigations of the disease pattern in the community. The epidemiologic triangle considers the extent
of the host's exposure to the agent, the virulence of the agent, and the host's genetic or immunological
,susceptibility to the agent. The wheel model is an example of a model that stresses the multiplicity of
host and environmental interactions.
In the 1850s, a researcher studied a cholera epidemic among people living in different sections of
London. The researcher who used epidemiologic methods to study the epidemic and used rates as an
epidemiologic tool was:
A) Joseph Lister.
B) William Farr.
C) John Snow.
D) Edward Jenner. - Correct answer✅✅ C) John Snow.
John Snow is recognized as the researcher who applied epidemiologic methods in the investigation of a
cholera epidemic in London in the 1850s. Joseph Lister is considered the pioneer of antiseptic surgery.
William Farr was a 19th century British epidemiologist who is regarded as a founder of medical statistics.
Edward Jenner developed the smallpox vaccine.
A community health nurse participating in planning programs for the coming year considers incidence
rates to better understand the needs of the community. Which statement below is the most accurate
explanation of incidence rates?
A) New cases of a disease or condition in a community over a period of time are included in incidence
rates.
B) The number of all cases of a specific disease or condition in a population at a given point in time
relative to the population at the same point in time is included in incidence rates.
C) Incidence rate refers to the number of new cases of a disease in those exposed to the disease.
D) The term incidence rate refers to the percentage of deaths in a specific period of time from a specific
cause. - Correct answer✅✅ A) New cases of a disease or condition in a community over a period of
time are included in incidence rates.
Numerator: # of new cases during specific time period
Denominator: those who are at risk for developing the disease only
, An epidemic is occurring in a public health nurse's community, and the nurse is working with the
epidemiologist and other health professionals seeking to identify the causative agent. What phrase best
describes such efforts?
A) Cohort study
B) Descriptive epidemiology
C) Point prevalence study
D) Analytic epidemiology - Correct answer✅✅ D) Analytic epidemiology
Analytic epidemiology may be defined as close examination of identified possible causes of disease using
advanced epidemiologic methods
A community nurse is reviewing health statistics to gain a better understanding of a population's health
needs. Crude rates are available for several health occurrences. What statement accurately describes
crude rates?
A) In calculating a crude rate, the numerator is the size of the population at risk.
B) In calculating a crude rate, the average population size may be used as denominator.
C) The denominator in a crude rate represents the population at risk for the event.
D) Crude rates are used frequently because they avoid bias in interpretation - Correct answer✅✅ B) In
calculating a crude rate, the average population size may be used as denominator.
Crude rates are calculated by using the number of events as the numerator. The denominator used may
be the average population size or the population size at midyear and not the population at risk. Crude
rates are subject to certain biases in interpretation.
The percentage of deaths resulting from a specific cause provides the nurse with information about
areas in which public health programs might make significant contributions in reducing deaths. Select
the statistic often used for this purpose.
A) Proportionate mortality rate
B) Crude death rate
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The nurse working in the community is aware that there are different models for studying the
epidemiology of a health condition in a population. One model of investigation of the interrelationships
and characteristics of disease is the epidemiologic triangle. This model analyzes what three elements?
A) Incidence, prevalence, and etiology
B) Agent, host, and environment
C) Person, place, and time
D) Virus, bacteria, and fungus - Correct answer✅✅ B) Agent, host, and environment
The epidemiologic triangle considers the extent of the host's exposure to the agent, the virulence of the
agent, and the host's genetic or immunologic susceptibility to the agent. Environmental conditions at
the time of exposure are also considered. Examination of these three elements allows assessment of the
problem, determination of protective factors, and evaluation of the vulnerability of the host to disease.
The person-place-time model organized epidemiologists' investigations of the disease pattern in the
community. Answers A and D do not represent an epidemiologic model.
When chronic disease became a more important cause of death in developed countries, different
epidemiologic models were developed to study the many factors involved in the development of these
health conditions. Which of the following is an example of such a model?
A) Person-place-time model
B) Epidemiologic triangle
C) Web of causation
D) Wheel model - Correct answer✅✅ C) Web of causation
Chronic disease is marked by a complexity of relationships among causal factors. The web of causation
model illustrates the interrelationships. The person-place-time model organized epidemiologists'
investigations of the disease pattern in the community. The epidemiologic triangle considers the extent
of the host's exposure to the agent, the virulence of the agent, and the host's genetic or immunological
,susceptibility to the agent. The wheel model is an example of a model that stresses the multiplicity of
host and environmental interactions.
In the 1850s, a researcher studied a cholera epidemic among people living in different sections of
London. The researcher who used epidemiologic methods to study the epidemic and used rates as an
epidemiologic tool was:
A) Joseph Lister.
B) William Farr.
C) John Snow.
D) Edward Jenner. - Correct answer✅✅ C) John Snow.
John Snow is recognized as the researcher who applied epidemiologic methods in the investigation of a
cholera epidemic in London in the 1850s. Joseph Lister is considered the pioneer of antiseptic surgery.
William Farr was a 19th century British epidemiologist who is regarded as a founder of medical statistics.
Edward Jenner developed the smallpox vaccine.
A community health nurse participating in planning programs for the coming year considers incidence
rates to better understand the needs of the community. Which statement below is the most accurate
explanation of incidence rates?
A) New cases of a disease or condition in a community over a period of time are included in incidence
rates.
B) The number of all cases of a specific disease or condition in a population at a given point in time
relative to the population at the same point in time is included in incidence rates.
C) Incidence rate refers to the number of new cases of a disease in those exposed to the disease.
D) The term incidence rate refers to the percentage of deaths in a specific period of time from a specific
cause. - Correct answer✅✅ A) New cases of a disease or condition in a community over a period of
time are included in incidence rates.
Numerator: # of new cases during specific time period
Denominator: those who are at risk for developing the disease only
, An epidemic is occurring in a public health nurse's community, and the nurse is working with the
epidemiologist and other health professionals seeking to identify the causative agent. What phrase best
describes such efforts?
A) Cohort study
B) Descriptive epidemiology
C) Point prevalence study
D) Analytic epidemiology - Correct answer✅✅ D) Analytic epidemiology
Analytic epidemiology may be defined as close examination of identified possible causes of disease using
advanced epidemiologic methods
A community nurse is reviewing health statistics to gain a better understanding of a population's health
needs. Crude rates are available for several health occurrences. What statement accurately describes
crude rates?
A) In calculating a crude rate, the numerator is the size of the population at risk.
B) In calculating a crude rate, the average population size may be used as denominator.
C) The denominator in a crude rate represents the population at risk for the event.
D) Crude rates are used frequently because they avoid bias in interpretation - Correct answer✅✅ B) In
calculating a crude rate, the average population size may be used as denominator.
Crude rates are calculated by using the number of events as the numerator. The denominator used may
be the average population size or the population size at midyear and not the population at risk. Crude
rates are subject to certain biases in interpretation.
The percentage of deaths resulting from a specific cause provides the nurse with information about
areas in which public health programs might make significant contributions in reducing deaths. Select
the statistic often used for this purpose.
A) Proportionate mortality rate
B) Crude death rate
