Chapter 02: History of Public Health and Public and Community Health Nursing (Stanhope: Public Health Nursing 7th ed)

In the past, community-oriented nurses have been called: a. District nurses b. Almshouse nurses c. Soldier nurses d.Sisters - ANS: A In the past, community-oriented nurses have been called public health nurses, district nurses, visiting nurses, school nurses, occupational health nurses, and home health nurses. Nurses have worked in the community to improve the health care status of individuals, families, populations, and vulnerable groups. Part of the appeal of this type of nursing is: 1. Working with wealthy contributors who provide the funds 2. Locating the source of disease and curing patients 3. The autonomy of practice and independence in problem solving and decision making 4.Caring for soldiers on the battlefield - ANS: 3 Community health nurses have a long history of autonomous practice, problem solving, and decision making. The other three answers relate to acute care nursing or gathering funding. Community health care nurses did engage in these activities in the nineteenth century, but overall, they have been best known for autonomy of practice. Threats to health from communicable diseases, the environment, chronic illness, and the aging process have changed over time. The newer threats to health in the United States that community health nurses are currently faced with include: 1.Diphtheria, cholera, and typhoid fever 2.HIV, AIDS, and bioterrorism 3.Avian flu, tuberculosis, and radiation 4.Polluted water and air - ANS:2 The newer threats to health that public health nurses are involved in are HIV, AIDS, and bioterrorism. Choice #1 lists threats of the past. Avian flu may be a threat, but radiation and tuberculosis are ongoing. Polluted water and air are generally not seen in the United States. Early colonial health efforts in the United States included: 1.Establishment of schools of nursing 2.Development of vaccines given to large numbers of people 3.Collection of vital statistics, improved sanitation, and control of communicable diseases introduced through seaports 4.Development of public housing and almshouses - ANS:3 The other choices are events that happened after the colonial period. Florence Nightingale's contributions to public health included: 1.Caring for the sick, poor, and neglected in institutions and at home 2.Using a population-based approach that led to improvements in environmental conditions 3.Writing the Elizabethan Poor Law to guarantee medical care for all 4.Founding of the district nursing association to provide health care to needy people - ANS:2