ATI Community Health Nursing Exam 2026/2027
Questions and Correct Answers
Community & Public Health Nursing (Next Generation NCLEX Focus) | Key Domains: Epidemiology
& Biostatistics, Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Community Assessment & Diagnosis,
Vulnerable Populations & Health Disparities, Environmental Health, Disaster Preparedness &
Management, Health Policy & Advocacy, Cultural Competence, and Ethical/Legal Considerations in
Public Health | Expert-Aligned Structure | Exam-Ready Format
Introduction
This structured ATI Community Health Nursing Exam for 2026/2027 provides 60 high-quality, Next
Generation NCLEX-style questions with correct answers and rationales. It emphasizes
population-focused care, application of epidemiological principles (rates, screenings), intervention
planning at the community level, social determinants of health, and the use of the nursing process
within a public health framework.
Answer Format
All correct answers must appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by concise rationales
explaining the public health principle, priority-setting for populations, correct interpretation of
community data, and why alternative options are not the best or most comprehensive actions for a
community health nurse.
1. A community health nurse is analyzing data and finds that the incidence rate of influenza
in County X is 120 cases per 100,000 population over one month. What does this measure
represent?
A. The total number of existing cases at a point in time
B. The number of new cases occurring in a specified period
C. The proportion of deaths among diagnosed cases
D. The likelihood of recovery from the disease
B. The number of new cases occurring in a specified period
,Incidence measures the number of new cases of a disease in a population during a defined time period.
Prevalence (A) is the total number of existing cases. Mortality rate (C) is the number of deaths.
Recovery (D) relates to prognosis, not incidence.
2. During a home visit, a community health nurse observes that a family’s well water has a
strong sulfur odor. What is the priority action?
A. Educate the family on boiling water before use
B. Contact the local health department for water testing
C. Recommend bottled water for drinking
D. Document the finding and continue the visit
B. Contact the local health department for water testing
As a public health professional, the nurse’s role includes environmental surveillance and linkage to
resources. The health department can test for contaminants (e.g., bacteria, nitrates, heavy metals).
Boiling (A) kills pathogens but does not remove chemical pollutants. Bottled water (C) is a temporary
measure, but the source must be assessed.
3. A nurse is planning a primary prevention program for a rural community with high rates
of tobacco use. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Offer smoking cessation classes
B. Screen adolescents for nicotine use
C. Implement a school-based anti-tobacco education campaign
D. Provide nicotine replacement therapy
C. Implement a school-based anti-tobacco education campaign
Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs. School-based education targets youth
before initiation of tobacco use. Cessation (A) and NRT (D) are tertiary prevention. Screening (B) is
secondary prevention.
, 4. Which population is most vulnerable to health disparities due to social determinants of
health?
A. Middle-aged professionals with employer-based insurance
B. Homeless individuals with mental illness
C. College students with campus health services
D. Retirees on fixed incomes with Medicare
B. Homeless individuals with mental illness
Homeless individuals with mental illness face multiple social determinants: poverty, lack of housing,
stigma, limited access to care, and comorbid conditions. This intersectionality significantly increases
vulnerability to poor health outcomes compared to other groups listed.
5. In the event of a hurricane, what is the priority role of the community health nurse in the
preparedness phase?
A. Triage injured patients at emergency shelters
B. Distribute medications to displaced residents
C. Assist in developing a community emergency response plan
D. Provide wound care in mobile clinics
C. Assist in developing a community emergency response plan
Preparedness occurs before a disaster. The nurse’s role includes planning, education, and resource
coordination. Triage (A), medication distribution (B), and wound care (D) are response-phase
activities.
6. A community assessment reveals that 40% of children in a neighborhood are obese. Using
the epidemiological triangle, which factor is most modifiable through nursing intervention?
A. Genetic predisposition
Questions and Correct Answers
Community & Public Health Nursing (Next Generation NCLEX Focus) | Key Domains: Epidemiology
& Biostatistics, Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Community Assessment & Diagnosis,
Vulnerable Populations & Health Disparities, Environmental Health, Disaster Preparedness &
Management, Health Policy & Advocacy, Cultural Competence, and Ethical/Legal Considerations in
Public Health | Expert-Aligned Structure | Exam-Ready Format
Introduction
This structured ATI Community Health Nursing Exam for 2026/2027 provides 60 high-quality, Next
Generation NCLEX-style questions with correct answers and rationales. It emphasizes
population-focused care, application of epidemiological principles (rates, screenings), intervention
planning at the community level, social determinants of health, and the use of the nursing process
within a public health framework.
Answer Format
All correct answers must appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by concise rationales
explaining the public health principle, priority-setting for populations, correct interpretation of
community data, and why alternative options are not the best or most comprehensive actions for a
community health nurse.
1. A community health nurse is analyzing data and finds that the incidence rate of influenza
in County X is 120 cases per 100,000 population over one month. What does this measure
represent?
A. The total number of existing cases at a point in time
B. The number of new cases occurring in a specified period
C. The proportion of deaths among diagnosed cases
D. The likelihood of recovery from the disease
B. The number of new cases occurring in a specified period
,Incidence measures the number of new cases of a disease in a population during a defined time period.
Prevalence (A) is the total number of existing cases. Mortality rate (C) is the number of deaths.
Recovery (D) relates to prognosis, not incidence.
2. During a home visit, a community health nurse observes that a family’s well water has a
strong sulfur odor. What is the priority action?
A. Educate the family on boiling water before use
B. Contact the local health department for water testing
C. Recommend bottled water for drinking
D. Document the finding and continue the visit
B. Contact the local health department for water testing
As a public health professional, the nurse’s role includes environmental surveillance and linkage to
resources. The health department can test for contaminants (e.g., bacteria, nitrates, heavy metals).
Boiling (A) kills pathogens but does not remove chemical pollutants. Bottled water (C) is a temporary
measure, but the source must be assessed.
3. A nurse is planning a primary prevention program for a rural community with high rates
of tobacco use. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Offer smoking cessation classes
B. Screen adolescents for nicotine use
C. Implement a school-based anti-tobacco education campaign
D. Provide nicotine replacement therapy
C. Implement a school-based anti-tobacco education campaign
Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs. School-based education targets youth
before initiation of tobacco use. Cessation (A) and NRT (D) are tertiary prevention. Screening (B) is
secondary prevention.
, 4. Which population is most vulnerable to health disparities due to social determinants of
health?
A. Middle-aged professionals with employer-based insurance
B. Homeless individuals with mental illness
C. College students with campus health services
D. Retirees on fixed incomes with Medicare
B. Homeless individuals with mental illness
Homeless individuals with mental illness face multiple social determinants: poverty, lack of housing,
stigma, limited access to care, and comorbid conditions. This intersectionality significantly increases
vulnerability to poor health outcomes compared to other groups listed.
5. In the event of a hurricane, what is the priority role of the community health nurse in the
preparedness phase?
A. Triage injured patients at emergency shelters
B. Distribute medications to displaced residents
C. Assist in developing a community emergency response plan
D. Provide wound care in mobile clinics
C. Assist in developing a community emergency response plan
Preparedness occurs before a disaster. The nurse’s role includes planning, education, and resource
coordination. Triage (A), medication distribution (B), and wound care (D) are response-phase
activities.
6. A community assessment reveals that 40% of children in a neighborhood are obese. Using
the epidemiological triangle, which factor is most modifiable through nursing intervention?
A. Genetic predisposition
