ATI Community Health Nursing Proctored
Exam Comprehensive Practice Test
Questions And Answers Plus Rationales
2026/27 | Instant Pdf Download
1. A community health nurse is planning a primary
prevention activity for older adults to reduce the risk of
falls. Which of the following is an example of primary
prevention?
A. Teaching balance and strengthening exercises to
community-dwelling older adults.
B. Installing grab bars in the home of an older adult who has
fallen twice.
C. Providing wound care for an older adult who fractured a hip
after a fall.
D. Assessing an older adult’s home for fall hazards after a fall.
Answer: A
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent the
disease/injury before it occurs. Teaching exercises to prevent
falls is primary prevention. Secondary prevention is
,screening/early detection (e.g., home hazard assessment after a
fall). Tertiary prevention is rehabilitation after injury (e.g., wound
care, grab bars after a fall).
2. A nurse is conducting a community assessment. Which of
the following data sources provides information about the
leading causes of death in a community?
A. Census data.
B. Vital statistics (death certificates).
C. Local hospital admission records.
D. Windshield survey.
Answer: B
Rationale: Vital statistics (death certificates, birth certificates)
provide data on mortality, morbidity, and leading causes of
death. Census data provides demographic information. Hospital
records show morbidity but not population-based mortality.
3. A nurse is educating a community about disaster
preparedness. Which of the following roles should the
nurse prioritize in a disaster?
A. Provide direct medical care to the most critically injured.
B. Triage victims and assign priority for treatment.
,C. Coordinate media communication.
D. Manage the hospital incident command system.
Answer: B
Rationale: In a disaster, nurses are often assigned to triage
(sorting victims by severity) to ensure the greatest good for the
greatest number. Direct care is provided after triage. Media and
incident command are usually handled by specific disaster
response roles.
4. A community health nurse is evaluating a smoking
cessation program. Which outcome indicator is most
appropriate to measure long-term effectiveness?
A. Number of participants who attend the first session.
B. Percentage of participants who report quitting smoking at 12
months.
C. Participants’ satisfaction with the program.
D. Number of pamphlets distributed.
Answer: B
Rationale: Long-term effectiveness is measured by sustained
behavior change (smoking cessation at 12 months). Attendance
and satisfaction are process measures; pamphlet distribution is
an input measure.
, 5. A nurse is providing home health care to a client with
heart failure. Which of the following findings should the
nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Weight gain of 2 lb (0.9 kg) in 2 days.
B. Blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg.
C. Crackles in the lower lung bases.
D. Urine output of 60 mL over 4 hours.
Answer: A
Rationale: Rapid weight gain (2-3 lb in 2 days or 5 lb in a week)
indicates fluid retention and worsening heart failure, requiring
immediate intervention. Crackles are concerning but weight
gain is the earliest indicator. Urine output of 60 mL/4 hr = 15
mL/hr (low) is also concerning but less acute.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about tuberculosis (TB)
treatment in a community clinic. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I can stop taking my medication when my cough goes
away.”
B. “I will need to take my medication for at least 6 months.”
C. “I should isolate myself until I finish all medication.”
D. “I am not contagious after 1 week of treatment.”
Exam Comprehensive Practice Test
Questions And Answers Plus Rationales
2026/27 | Instant Pdf Download
1. A community health nurse is planning a primary
prevention activity for older adults to reduce the risk of
falls. Which of the following is an example of primary
prevention?
A. Teaching balance and strengthening exercises to
community-dwelling older adults.
B. Installing grab bars in the home of an older adult who has
fallen twice.
C. Providing wound care for an older adult who fractured a hip
after a fall.
D. Assessing an older adult’s home for fall hazards after a fall.
Answer: A
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent the
disease/injury before it occurs. Teaching exercises to prevent
falls is primary prevention. Secondary prevention is
,screening/early detection (e.g., home hazard assessment after a
fall). Tertiary prevention is rehabilitation after injury (e.g., wound
care, grab bars after a fall).
2. A nurse is conducting a community assessment. Which of
the following data sources provides information about the
leading causes of death in a community?
A. Census data.
B. Vital statistics (death certificates).
C. Local hospital admission records.
D. Windshield survey.
Answer: B
Rationale: Vital statistics (death certificates, birth certificates)
provide data on mortality, morbidity, and leading causes of
death. Census data provides demographic information. Hospital
records show morbidity but not population-based mortality.
3. A nurse is educating a community about disaster
preparedness. Which of the following roles should the
nurse prioritize in a disaster?
A. Provide direct medical care to the most critically injured.
B. Triage victims and assign priority for treatment.
,C. Coordinate media communication.
D. Manage the hospital incident command system.
Answer: B
Rationale: In a disaster, nurses are often assigned to triage
(sorting victims by severity) to ensure the greatest good for the
greatest number. Direct care is provided after triage. Media and
incident command are usually handled by specific disaster
response roles.
4. A community health nurse is evaluating a smoking
cessation program. Which outcome indicator is most
appropriate to measure long-term effectiveness?
A. Number of participants who attend the first session.
B. Percentage of participants who report quitting smoking at 12
months.
C. Participants’ satisfaction with the program.
D. Number of pamphlets distributed.
Answer: B
Rationale: Long-term effectiveness is measured by sustained
behavior change (smoking cessation at 12 months). Attendance
and satisfaction are process measures; pamphlet distribution is
an input measure.
, 5. A nurse is providing home health care to a client with
heart failure. Which of the following findings should the
nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Weight gain of 2 lb (0.9 kg) in 2 days.
B. Blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg.
C. Crackles in the lower lung bases.
D. Urine output of 60 mL over 4 hours.
Answer: A
Rationale: Rapid weight gain (2-3 lb in 2 days or 5 lb in a week)
indicates fluid retention and worsening heart failure, requiring
immediate intervention. Crackles are concerning but weight
gain is the earliest indicator. Urine output of 60 mL/4 hr = 15
mL/hr (low) is also concerning but less acute.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about tuberculosis (TB)
treatment in a community clinic. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I can stop taking my medication when my cough goes
away.”
B. “I will need to take my medication for at least 6 months.”
C. “I should isolate myself until I finish all medication.”
D. “I am not contagious after 1 week of treatment.”
