100% Verified Questions and Answers/ GRADED A+
• Epidemiology
• Community assessment
• Health promotion & disease prevention
• Environmental health
• Disaster preparedness
• Vulnerable populations
• Home health
• Levels of prevention
• Roles of community health nurses
1. What is the primary goal of community health nursing?
Answer:
The primary goal of community health nursing is to improve the overall health and well-
being of entire populations rather than focusing only on individual patients. Community
health nurses work to prevent disease, promote healthy behaviors, and support environments
that enable people to live healthier lives. They evaluate population-level health needs, plan
interventions, and collaborate with multiple agencies to reduce health disparities. Their work
emphasizes early prevention, access to care, and long-term health improvements. Ultimately,
they aim to create healthier communities through education, advocacy, and coordinated
public health action.
2. What is epidemiology?
Answer:
Epidemiology is the scientific study of how diseases and health conditions are distributed
across populations and what factors influence those patterns. It helps public health
professionals identify risks, understand causes, and develop strategies to prevent illness. By
collecting and analyzing data, epidemiologists track outbreaks, detect emerging threats, and
evaluate health interventions. They study patterns related to age, geography, socioeconomic
,status, behavior, and other determinants. Overall, epidemiology guides evidence-based
decisions that protect and improve public health.
3. What is the difference between incidence and prevalence?
Answer:
Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disease that occur within a specific time
period, making it useful for understanding risk and the rate at which a disease is spreading.
Prevalence refers to the total number of existing cases at a given time, showing the overall
burden of disease in a population. Incidence helps identify emerging trends and evaluate
prevention strategies, while prevalence helps determine long-term needs for chronic disease
management. High incidence suggests rapid spread, while high prevalence may indicate
persistent or poorly managed conditions. Both measures are essential for planning public
health resources and interventions.
4. What are the major steps in an outbreak investigation?
Answer:
Outbreak investigations typically begin with confirming the existence of an outbreak and
verifying disease diagnoses. Investigators develop a case definition and identify all potential
cases through surveillance and interviews. They then analyze data by time, place, and person
to understand the pattern and spread of illness. Next, hypotheses about the source and mode
of transmission are developed and tested. After confirming the cause, appropriate control
measures—such as isolation, environmental cleanup, or public education—are implemented.
Finally, findings are communicated and evaluated to improve future responses.
5. What is herd immunity?
Answer:
Herd immunity occurs when a large percentage of a population becomes immune to an
infectious disease, either through vaccination or previous infection. When most people are
protected, it becomes difficult for the disease to spread, indirectly protecting individuals who
cannot be vaccinated. Herd immunity reduces outbreaks, slows transmission, and protects
vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly, or immunocompromised people. The threshold
for herd immunity varies based on how contagious the disease is. Achieving herd immunity
is a major goal of immunization programs worldwide.
, 6. What are primary prevention activities?
Answer:
Primary prevention involves strategies that aim to prevent diseases before they occur by
reducing risk factors and promoting healthy behaviors. This includes health education
programs, immunization campaigns, environmental sanitation, and nutritional interventions.
Community health nurses play a major role by teaching individuals and communities how to
adopt healthier lifestyles. Primary prevention also incorporates policy efforts such as smoke-
free laws or safe water regulations. By addressing problems before they begin, primary
prevention reduces long-term healthcare costs and improves population health outcomes.
7. What is an example of secondary prevention?
Answer:
Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and rapid intervention to halt or slow the
progression of disease. A common example is screening, such as blood pressure checks to
identify hypertension or mammograms to detect breast cancer early. By identifying disease at
an early stage, treatment becomes more effective and complications are minimized.
Community health nurses often organize screenings in schools, workplaces, and community
centers. Secondary prevention bridges the gap between prevention and treatment by catching
disease before serious damage occurs.
8. What is an example of tertiary prevention?
Answer:
Tertiary prevention aims to minimize disability, improve quality of life, and promote
recovery for people already affected by chronic or long-term conditions. Rehabilitation
services for stroke patients, physical therapy after injury, and diabetes self-management
programs are examples. These interventions help individuals regain function, maintain
independence, and prevent further complications. Community health nurses often coordinate
with rehabilitation teams and provide ongoing education. Tertiary prevention reduces long-
term healthcare costs and supports healthier life outcomes even in the presence of chronic
disease.
9. What are the social determinants of health?
Answer:
Social determinants of health (SDH) are the non-medical factors that influence health
outcomes, including education, income, employment, housing, transportation, and social