HESI Community Health Exam V3 | 2026
Q&A with Rationale (HESI Community
Health Exam 2026)
1. A community health nurse is planning a program for a local senior center to reduce the
incidence of influenza. Which level of prevention does this represent?
A. Tertiary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Primary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Primary prevention focuses on health promotion and the prevention of the
occurrence of disease. Providing influenza vaccinations is a classic example of primary
prevention as it aims to prevent the onset of illness. Secondary prevention involves
screening, while tertiary prevention involves rehabilitation and management of existing
disease.
2. The nurse is conducting a windshield survey of a new neighborhood. Which observation
should the nurse identify as a component of the physical environment?
A. Types of public transportation available
B. The number of churches and synagogues
,C. Availability of community health clinics
D. The condition and age of the housing units
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A windshield survey is an informal tool used to observe the physical
characteristics of a community while driving or walking. The age and condition of housing
provide direct insight into the physical environment and potential safety hazards such as
lead or asbestos. Transportation and clinics relate to services, while churches relate to the
social and spiritual environment.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a positive Mantoux tuberculin skin test. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Initiate respiratory isolation immediately
B. Start a four-drug antibiotic regimen
C. Notify the local health department of the result
D. Prepare the client for a chest X-ray
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A positive Mantoux test indicates exposure to tuberculosis but does not confirm
active disease. The next step in the clinical pathway is to obtain a chest X-ray to look for
active lesions or infiltration. Further diagnostic tests, such as sputum cultures, are required
before starting long-term antibiotic therapy or notifying the health department of a
confirmed case.
, 4. Which indicators should the community health nurse use to evaluate the effectiveness of a
new childhood obesity program? (Select All That Apply)
A. Change in the number of local fast-food restaurants
B. Percentage of students participating in physical education
C. Mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of the student population
D. Number of families attending healthy cooking classes
E. Reduction in school absences related to chronic illness
F. Increase in parent knowledge of nutritional labels
Correct Answer: BCDE
Rationale: Effectiveness is measured by outcomes such as BMI changes and participation
rates in health-promoting activities. Monitoring school absences provides data on the
impact of health on education. While parent knowledge and class attendance are process
measures, they contribute to the overall evaluation of the program’s success.
5. A nurse is reviewing the epidemiological triangle to understand the spread of a recent
salmonella outbreak. Which factor should the nurse identify as the ‘agent’?
A. The contaminated potato salad
B. The individuals who consumed the salad
C. The warm temperature of the picnic area
D. The specific strain of Salmonella bacteria
Q&A with Rationale (HESI Community
Health Exam 2026)
1. A community health nurse is planning a program for a local senior center to reduce the
incidence of influenza. Which level of prevention does this represent?
A. Tertiary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Primary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Primary prevention focuses on health promotion and the prevention of the
occurrence of disease. Providing influenza vaccinations is a classic example of primary
prevention as it aims to prevent the onset of illness. Secondary prevention involves
screening, while tertiary prevention involves rehabilitation and management of existing
disease.
2. The nurse is conducting a windshield survey of a new neighborhood. Which observation
should the nurse identify as a component of the physical environment?
A. Types of public transportation available
B. The number of churches and synagogues
,C. Availability of community health clinics
D. The condition and age of the housing units
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A windshield survey is an informal tool used to observe the physical
characteristics of a community while driving or walking. The age and condition of housing
provide direct insight into the physical environment and potential safety hazards such as
lead or asbestos. Transportation and clinics relate to services, while churches relate to the
social and spiritual environment.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a positive Mantoux tuberculin skin test. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Initiate respiratory isolation immediately
B. Start a four-drug antibiotic regimen
C. Notify the local health department of the result
D. Prepare the client for a chest X-ray
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A positive Mantoux test indicates exposure to tuberculosis but does not confirm
active disease. The next step in the clinical pathway is to obtain a chest X-ray to look for
active lesions or infiltration. Further diagnostic tests, such as sputum cultures, are required
before starting long-term antibiotic therapy or notifying the health department of a
confirmed case.
, 4. Which indicators should the community health nurse use to evaluate the effectiveness of a
new childhood obesity program? (Select All That Apply)
A. Change in the number of local fast-food restaurants
B. Percentage of students participating in physical education
C. Mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of the student population
D. Number of families attending healthy cooking classes
E. Reduction in school absences related to chronic illness
F. Increase in parent knowledge of nutritional labels
Correct Answer: BCDE
Rationale: Effectiveness is measured by outcomes such as BMI changes and participation
rates in health-promoting activities. Monitoring school absences provides data on the
impact of health on education. While parent knowledge and class attendance are process
measures, they contribute to the overall evaluation of the program’s success.
5. A nurse is reviewing the epidemiological triangle to understand the spread of a recent
salmonella outbreak. Which factor should the nurse identify as the ‘agent’?
A. The contaminated potato salad
B. The individuals who consumed the salad
C. The warm temperature of the picnic area
D. The specific strain of Salmonella bacteria
