Which of the following is the best brief definition of community?
a) A geographic area or political division under common leadership
b) A group sharing a common bond such as a profession or occupation
c) A group working together to confront a common problem
d) A social group with common goals within a geographic area - AnswersD
According to WHO, "A community is a social group determined by geographic boundaries and/or
common values and interests. Its members know and interact with one another. It functions within a
particular social structure and exhibits and creates norms, values and social institutions." The correct
answer includes aspects of people, place, and function or aims.
A nurse is practicing in the community but also has the community as the target of practice. Which of
the following best describes the activities of this nurse?
a) Providing care to an active caseload of 50 families in the neighborhood
b) Inviting all the parents of asthmatic children in the school to meet together for mutual support
c) Sharing assessment findings and health goals with every community group that will listen
d) Writing articles for the local newspaper highlighting the various programs and services of the local
health department - AnswersC
,Although it is not possible to know the nurse's goals from the nurse's behavior, giving care to select
groups does not represent the whole community. Publicizing services increases knowledge but doesn't
necessarily help eligible clients access care. Meeting with all interested community groups is the only
way to keep the focus on the community rather than on individuals.
Persons often point out that smokers choose to light their cigarettes, alcoholics lift the glass to their
mouth, and drug addicts inject or ingest their drugs. Which of the following statements best describes
why nurses don't simply focus on helping persons who engage in poor health behaviors to behave
appropriately?
a) Addicts don't have the willpower to change their behavior
b) It is too rewarding to continue the behavior for a person to be able to change
c) Laws and policies must reward good healthy behaviors and punish unhealthy behaviors to help
individuals recognize the importance of change
d) Society must offer healthy choices, offer support, and practice helpful policies - AnswersD
Change for the benefit of the community client often must occur at several levels, ranging from the
individual to society as a whole. Lifestyle-induced health problems cannot be solved simply by asking or
encouraging individuals to choose health-promoting habits. Society also must provide healthy choices.
Most individuals cannot change their habits alone; they require the support of family members, friends,
community health care systems, and relevant social policies.
A nurse is focusing on the process dimension of a community's health. Which of the following
interventions will the nurse most likely implement?
a) Assessing the health care services available in a community
b) Establishing screening programs to diagnosis diseases as early as possible so treatment can begin
, c) Implementing health promotion activities such as education programs
d) Planning for new programs to be developed based on identified needs - AnswersC
When the emphasis is on the process dimension—usually the level of intervention of the nurse in
community health—the best strategy is usually health promotion, such as various primary prevention
strategies.
A nurse has invited community members to participate as full partners in creating changes to improve
the health of the community. Which of the following may be an unexpected consequence of this action?
a) A change in the distribution or redistribution of power and influence
b) An increase in awareness of the importance of health
c) Continued ongoing interest in community health activities
d) Improved family functioning and involvement in health activities - AnswersA
Partnership is the informed, flexible, and negotiated distribution and redistribution of power among all
participants in the processes of change for improved community health. Such changes may be
unexpected by those in formal power positions in the community.
During the assessment phase, the nurse compiles and interprets available data and draws conclusions as
to the community's strengths and concerns. Which of the following best describes why the nurse would
also conduct interviews with key informants?
a) To ensure that others agree with the nurse's plans for interventions
b) To confirm the nurse's initial findings and conclusions