❖ Spring Semester 2026 – WGU D240 Community
Health Nursing Exam Prep | Community &
Population Health Practice Questions with
Verified Answers and Detailed Rationales | Fully
Updated for the 2026 Objective Assessment
1. What is the primary goal of community health nursing?
a) To provide medical treatment
b) To promote health and prevent disease
c) To conduct research
d) To administer pharmaceuticals
Correct Option: b) To promote health and prevent disease
Rationale: The primary goal of community health nursing is to promote health
and prevent disease within communities. This involves assessing health needs,
planning health programs, and providing education to enhance the well-being of
populations.
2. Which of the following is a key component of health promotion in
communities?
a) Acute care services
b) Health education
c) Triage systems
d) In-patient care
Correct Option: b) Health education
Rationale: Health education is a key component of health promotion as it
equips individuals and communities with the knowledge and skills necessary to
make informed health choices. It empowers populations to take action towards
better health outcomes.
3. Which assessment tool is most commonly used in community health
nursing to identify health needs?
a) SWOT analysis
b) Community diagnosis
c) Health risk appraisal
d) Epidemiological study
Correct Option: b) Community diagnosis
Rationale: Community diagnosis is an essential assessment tool in community
health nursing that helps to identify the health needs of a population by
analyzing various factors such as demographics, culture, and health status. This
diagnosis informs the planning of targeted interventions.
,4. What is the significance of cultural competence in community health
nursing?
a) It ensures adherence to medical protocols
b) It improves communication with patients
c) It decreases the need for patient education
d) It focuses on the economic status of patients
Correct Option: b) It improves communication with patients
Rationale: Cultural competence is crucial in community health nursing as it
enables nurses to understand and respect diverse cultural beliefs and practices.
This understanding improves communication, builds trust, and enhances the
effectiveness of health interventions.
5. An example of primary prevention in community health is:
a) Screening for diseases
b) Immunization programs
c) Rehabilitation services
d) Home health care
Correct Option: b) Immunization programs
Rationale: Immunization programs are a form of primary prevention aimed at
preventing diseases before they occur. By vaccinating populations, community
health nursing helps to reduce the incidence and spread of communicable
diseases.
6. Which factor is most critical in understanding health disparities in a
community?
a) Access to healthcare
b) Age demographics
c) Employment status
d) Education level
Correct Option: a) Access to healthcare
Rationale: Access to healthcare is a critical factor in understanding health
disparities, as it directly affects individuals' ability to receive necessary health
services, ultimately impacting health outcomes and equity within communities.
7. What is the role of a community health nurse in disaster management?
a) To provide emergency surgery
b) To coordinate health services before, during, and after a disaster
,c) To manage psychiatric units
d) To enforce public health laws
Correct Option: b) To coordinate health services before, during, and after a
disaster
Rationale: Community health nurses play a vital role in disaster management by
coordinating health services and ensuring that community members receive the
care they need throughout the disaster cycle, which helps mitigate health
impacts.
8. What is the primary focus of health education in community health
nursing?
a) Enhancing clinical skills
b) Reducing healthcare costs
c) Empowering patients to make informed health decisions
d) Administering medications
Correct Option: c) Empowering patients to make informed health decisions
Rationale: The primary focus of health education in community health nursing is
to empower patients with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed
decisions about their health, ultimately promoting healthier lifestyles.
9. Which of the following is a common barrier to effective community health
nursing?
a) High staff-to-patient ratios
b) Comprehensive health education
c) Strong community engagement
d) Robust healthcare policies
Correct Option: a) High staff-to-patient ratios
Rationale: High staff-to-patient ratios can hinder effective community health
nursing by limiting the time and attention each nurse can provide to patients,
ultimately affecting the quality of care and community health initiatives.
10. Which type of data is most useful for assessing the health needs of a
community?
a) Qualitative data
b) Quantitative data
c) Anecdotal data
d) Historical data
, Correct Option: b) Quantitative data
Rationale: Quantitative data is essential for assessing the health needs of a
community as it provides measurable evidence regarding population health
status, prevalence of diseases, and effectiveness of health interventions.
11. What does the term "social determinants of health" refer to?
a) Genetic predispositions to illness
b) Conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age
c) Availability of medical technology
d) The effectiveness of healthcare systems
Correct Option: b) Conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and
age
Rationale: Social determinants of health encompass a wide range of factors that
influence health outcomes, including socio-economic status, education,
environment, and access to healthcare, thereby affecting overall community
wellness.
12. Which of the following is a secondary prevention measure?
a) Health screenings
b) Exercise programs
c) Nutrition education
d) Policy advocacy
Correct Option: a) Health screenings
Rationale: Health screenings are considered a secondary prevention measure
because they aim to detect diseases at an early stage, allowing for prompt
intervention and potentially better health outcomes.
13. How do community health nurses assist with chronic disease
management?
a) By providing immediate medical interventions
b) By educating patients about lifestyle changes and self-management strategies
c) By prescribing medications
d) By conducting surgeries
Correct Option: b) By educating patients about lifestyle changes and self-
management strategies
Rationale: Community health nurses play a crucial role in chronic disease
management by providing education on lifestyle changes and self-management
Health Nursing Exam Prep | Community &
Population Health Practice Questions with
Verified Answers and Detailed Rationales | Fully
Updated for the 2026 Objective Assessment
1. What is the primary goal of community health nursing?
a) To provide medical treatment
b) To promote health and prevent disease
c) To conduct research
d) To administer pharmaceuticals
Correct Option: b) To promote health and prevent disease
Rationale: The primary goal of community health nursing is to promote health
and prevent disease within communities. This involves assessing health needs,
planning health programs, and providing education to enhance the well-being of
populations.
2. Which of the following is a key component of health promotion in
communities?
a) Acute care services
b) Health education
c) Triage systems
d) In-patient care
Correct Option: b) Health education
Rationale: Health education is a key component of health promotion as it
equips individuals and communities with the knowledge and skills necessary to
make informed health choices. It empowers populations to take action towards
better health outcomes.
3. Which assessment tool is most commonly used in community health
nursing to identify health needs?
a) SWOT analysis
b) Community diagnosis
c) Health risk appraisal
d) Epidemiological study
Correct Option: b) Community diagnosis
Rationale: Community diagnosis is an essential assessment tool in community
health nursing that helps to identify the health needs of a population by
analyzing various factors such as demographics, culture, and health status. This
diagnosis informs the planning of targeted interventions.
,4. What is the significance of cultural competence in community health
nursing?
a) It ensures adherence to medical protocols
b) It improves communication with patients
c) It decreases the need for patient education
d) It focuses on the economic status of patients
Correct Option: b) It improves communication with patients
Rationale: Cultural competence is crucial in community health nursing as it
enables nurses to understand and respect diverse cultural beliefs and practices.
This understanding improves communication, builds trust, and enhances the
effectiveness of health interventions.
5. An example of primary prevention in community health is:
a) Screening for diseases
b) Immunization programs
c) Rehabilitation services
d) Home health care
Correct Option: b) Immunization programs
Rationale: Immunization programs are a form of primary prevention aimed at
preventing diseases before they occur. By vaccinating populations, community
health nursing helps to reduce the incidence and spread of communicable
diseases.
6. Which factor is most critical in understanding health disparities in a
community?
a) Access to healthcare
b) Age demographics
c) Employment status
d) Education level
Correct Option: a) Access to healthcare
Rationale: Access to healthcare is a critical factor in understanding health
disparities, as it directly affects individuals' ability to receive necessary health
services, ultimately impacting health outcomes and equity within communities.
7. What is the role of a community health nurse in disaster management?
a) To provide emergency surgery
b) To coordinate health services before, during, and after a disaster
,c) To manage psychiatric units
d) To enforce public health laws
Correct Option: b) To coordinate health services before, during, and after a
disaster
Rationale: Community health nurses play a vital role in disaster management by
coordinating health services and ensuring that community members receive the
care they need throughout the disaster cycle, which helps mitigate health
impacts.
8. What is the primary focus of health education in community health
nursing?
a) Enhancing clinical skills
b) Reducing healthcare costs
c) Empowering patients to make informed health decisions
d) Administering medications
Correct Option: c) Empowering patients to make informed health decisions
Rationale: The primary focus of health education in community health nursing is
to empower patients with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed
decisions about their health, ultimately promoting healthier lifestyles.
9. Which of the following is a common barrier to effective community health
nursing?
a) High staff-to-patient ratios
b) Comprehensive health education
c) Strong community engagement
d) Robust healthcare policies
Correct Option: a) High staff-to-patient ratios
Rationale: High staff-to-patient ratios can hinder effective community health
nursing by limiting the time and attention each nurse can provide to patients,
ultimately affecting the quality of care and community health initiatives.
10. Which type of data is most useful for assessing the health needs of a
community?
a) Qualitative data
b) Quantitative data
c) Anecdotal data
d) Historical data
, Correct Option: b) Quantitative data
Rationale: Quantitative data is essential for assessing the health needs of a
community as it provides measurable evidence regarding population health
status, prevalence of diseases, and effectiveness of health interventions.
11. What does the term "social determinants of health" refer to?
a) Genetic predispositions to illness
b) Conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age
c) Availability of medical technology
d) The effectiveness of healthcare systems
Correct Option: b) Conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and
age
Rationale: Social determinants of health encompass a wide range of factors that
influence health outcomes, including socio-economic status, education,
environment, and access to healthcare, thereby affecting overall community
wellness.
12. Which of the following is a secondary prevention measure?
a) Health screenings
b) Exercise programs
c) Nutrition education
d) Policy advocacy
Correct Option: a) Health screenings
Rationale: Health screenings are considered a secondary prevention measure
because they aim to detect diseases at an early stage, allowing for prompt
intervention and potentially better health outcomes.
13. How do community health nurses assist with chronic disease
management?
a) By providing immediate medical interventions
b) By educating patients about lifestyle changes and self-management strategies
c) By prescribing medications
d) By conducting surgeries
Correct Option: b) By educating patients about lifestyle changes and self-
management strategies
Rationale: Community health nurses play a crucial role in chronic disease
management by providing education on lifestyle changes and self-management
