BSN 325 Hallmark Exam Practice
BSN 325: Population-Based Chronic Illness
and Health Promotion 200 questions and correct
answers
Covers community/public health foundations, epidemiology, health
promotion, chronic disease management, environmental health, communicable
disease, disaster preparedness, vulnerable populations, violence prevention,
maternal-child & school health, occupational health, global health, program
planning, and case management.
Epidemiology & Levels of Prevention
1. Epidemiology is best defined as the study of:
A. The distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in populations
B. Only the treatment of individual patients
C. Hospital billing and reimbursement
1
, BSN 325 Hallmark Exam Practice
D. Nursing staffing ratios
Correct Answer: A. The distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in populations
Rationale: Epidemiology studies the distribution (who, when, where) and determinants (why) of health events in
populations to control health problems.
2. Primary prevention is best exemplified by which activity?
A. Immunization to prevent disease before it occurs
B. Screening for early-stage cancer
C. Rehabilitation after a stroke
D. Treating an active infection
Correct Answer: A. Immunization to prevent disease before it occurs
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease/injury before it occurs (e.g., immunizations, health education,
safety measures).
3. Secondary prevention is best exemplified by which activity?
A. Mammography screening to detect breast cancer early
B. Administering a vaccine to a healthy child
C. Providing hospice/palliative care
D. Cardiac rehabilitation after an MI
Correct Answer: A. Mammography screening to detect breast cancer early
Rationale: Secondary prevention involves early detection and prompt intervention (e.g., screening) to identify disease in
its early, more treatable stages.
4. Tertiary prevention is best exemplified by which activity?
A. Cardiac rehabilitation to restore function after a myocardial infarction
B. Administering the flu vaccine
C. Conducting a blood pressure screening event
D. Teaching handwashing to prevent infection
Correct Answer: A. Cardiac rehabilitation to restore function after a myocardial infarction
Rationale: Tertiary prevention focuses on minimizing disability and restoring function/quality of life after disease has
already occurred.
5. Incidence rate measures:
A. The number of new cases of a disease occurring in a population over a specific time period
B. The total number of existing cases (new and old) at a given point in time
C. The number of deaths from all causes
D. The total population size only
Correct Answer: A. The number of new cases of a disease occurring in a population over a specific time period
Rationale: Incidence measures new cases occurring within a specific time period, reflecting the risk of developing a
condition.
6. Prevalence measures:
A. The total number of existing cases (new and old) of a disease in a population at a given time
B. Only new cases occurring in a specific time frame
C. The case fatality rate exclusively
D. The number of vaccines administered
Correct Answer: A. The total number of existing cases (new and old) of a disease in a population at a given time
Rationale: Prevalence reflects all current cases (both new and pre-existing) of a disease at a specific point or period in
time.
7. A disease that is constantly present in a population at a baseline, expected level is described as:
A. Endemic
B. Epidemic
C. Pandemic
2
, BSN 325 Hallmark Exam Practice
D. Sporadic
Correct Answer: A. Endemic
Rationale: Endemic refers to a disease consistently present at an expected baseline level within a specific
population/region.
8. A sudden increase in disease cases above the expected baseline in a specific region is called a(n):
A. Epidemic (outbreak)
B. Endemic pattern
C. Sporadic case
D. Prevalence study
Correct Answer: A. Epidemic (outbreak)
Rationale: An epidemic (or outbreak) refers to a sudden increase in disease incidence above what is normally expected in
a given area.
9. A disease that spreads across multiple countries or continents, affecting a large number of people, is classified as a(n):
A. Pandemic
B. Endemic
C. Sporadic case
D. Isolated outbreak
Correct Answer: A. Pandemic
Rationale: A pandemic is a disease outbreak that spreads across multiple countries/continents, affecting a substantial
number of people worldwide.
10. The epidemiologic triangle consists of which three components?
A. Host, agent, and environment
B. Assessment, diagnosis, and planning
C. Incidence, prevalence, and mortality
D. Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention
Correct Answer: A. Host, agent, and environment
Rationale: The epidemiologic triangle describes the interaction between the host, the infectious/causative agent, and the
environment in disease causation.
11. Which best describes "herd immunity"?
A. Indirect protection of a population when a sufficiently high proportion is immune, reducing disease spread
B. Immunity present only in animals
C. A concept that applies solely to individual immunity
D. Immunity acquired only through natural infection, never vaccination
Correct Answer: A. Indirect protection of a population when a sufficiently high proportion is immune, reducing
disease spread
Rationale: Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient proportion of a population is immune (via vaccination or prior
infection), reducing overall disease transmission and protecting those who are not immune.
12. A case-control study design is best used to:
A. Compare individuals with a disease (cases) to those without (controls) to identify potential risk factors
B. Track a cohort forward in time to observe outcome development
C. Randomly assign an intervention to test its effect
D. Describe only the geographic distribution of disease
Correct Answer: A. Compare individuals with a disease (cases) to those without (controls) to identify potential
risk factors
Rationale: Case-control studies compare exposure histories between individuals with a disease (cases) and without it
(controls), useful for identifying risk factors, especially in rare diseases.
13. A cohort study design involves:
A. Following a group of individuals over time to determine the development of an outcome based on exposure status
3
, BSN 325 Hallmark Exam Practice
B. Only reviewing existing medical records retrospectively
C. Randomizing participants to a treatment or placebo group
D. Studying only individuals who already have the disease
Correct Answer: A. Following a group of individuals over time to determine the development of an outcome
based on exposure status
Rationale: Cohort studies follow groups of exposed and unexposed individuals forward in time to observe
outcome/disease development.
14. The gold standard study design for establishing causation in epidemiologic/clinical research is the:
A. Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
B. Case study
C. Cross-sectional survey
D. Ecological study
Correct Answer: A. Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Rationale: RCTs, through randomization and controlled conditions, provide the strongest evidence for establishing a
cause-and-effect relationship.
15. Which best describes a "sentinel event" in epidemiologic surveillance?
A. A single case of a disease that is significant enough to trigger investigation and public health response (e.g., a case of
measles)
B. A routine, expected health event requiring no follow-up
C. A statistical outlier with no clinical relevance
D. An event only relevant to hospital risk management
Correct Answer: A. A single case of a disease that is significant enough to trigger investigation and public health
response (e.g., a case of measles)
Rationale: In public health surveillance, a sentinel event/case (e.g., a single case of a reportable disease like measles)
triggers investigation due to its public health significance.
16. Surveillance in public health is best defined as:
A. The ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data to guide public health action
B. A one-time data collection with no further follow-up
C. Only applicable to infectious diseases
D. A punitive monitoring system for healthcare workers
Correct Answer: A. The ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data to guide public
health action
Rationale: Public health surveillance is the continuous, systematic process of collecting and analyzing data to inform
planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health action.
17. Reportable (notifiable) diseases must be reported to public health authorities primarily to:
A. Enable timely public health investigation, control measures, and monitoring of disease trends
B. Increase hospital revenue
C. Determine individual patient billing
D. Satisfy insurance requirements only
Correct Answer: A. Enable timely public health investigation, control measures, and monitoring of disease trends
Rationale: Mandatory reporting allows public health agencies to promptly investigate, respond to, and monitor trends in
diseases of public health significance.
18. Which is an example of a nurse's legal responsibility related to reportable diseases?
A. Reporting a confirmed case of tuberculosis to the local health department
B. Keeping the diagnosis confidential from all public health authorities
C. Only reporting if the patient consents
D. Reporting only chronic, non-communicable diseases
Correct Answer: A. Reporting a confirmed case of tuberculosis to the local health department
4
BSN 325: Population-Based Chronic Illness
and Health Promotion 200 questions and correct
answers
Covers community/public health foundations, epidemiology, health
promotion, chronic disease management, environmental health, communicable
disease, disaster preparedness, vulnerable populations, violence prevention,
maternal-child & school health, occupational health, global health, program
planning, and case management.
Epidemiology & Levels of Prevention
1. Epidemiology is best defined as the study of:
A. The distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in populations
B. Only the treatment of individual patients
C. Hospital billing and reimbursement
1
, BSN 325 Hallmark Exam Practice
D. Nursing staffing ratios
Correct Answer: A. The distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in populations
Rationale: Epidemiology studies the distribution (who, when, where) and determinants (why) of health events in
populations to control health problems.
2. Primary prevention is best exemplified by which activity?
A. Immunization to prevent disease before it occurs
B. Screening for early-stage cancer
C. Rehabilitation after a stroke
D. Treating an active infection
Correct Answer: A. Immunization to prevent disease before it occurs
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease/injury before it occurs (e.g., immunizations, health education,
safety measures).
3. Secondary prevention is best exemplified by which activity?
A. Mammography screening to detect breast cancer early
B. Administering a vaccine to a healthy child
C. Providing hospice/palliative care
D. Cardiac rehabilitation after an MI
Correct Answer: A. Mammography screening to detect breast cancer early
Rationale: Secondary prevention involves early detection and prompt intervention (e.g., screening) to identify disease in
its early, more treatable stages.
4. Tertiary prevention is best exemplified by which activity?
A. Cardiac rehabilitation to restore function after a myocardial infarction
B. Administering the flu vaccine
C. Conducting a blood pressure screening event
D. Teaching handwashing to prevent infection
Correct Answer: A. Cardiac rehabilitation to restore function after a myocardial infarction
Rationale: Tertiary prevention focuses on minimizing disability and restoring function/quality of life after disease has
already occurred.
5. Incidence rate measures:
A. The number of new cases of a disease occurring in a population over a specific time period
B. The total number of existing cases (new and old) at a given point in time
C. The number of deaths from all causes
D. The total population size only
Correct Answer: A. The number of new cases of a disease occurring in a population over a specific time period
Rationale: Incidence measures new cases occurring within a specific time period, reflecting the risk of developing a
condition.
6. Prevalence measures:
A. The total number of existing cases (new and old) of a disease in a population at a given time
B. Only new cases occurring in a specific time frame
C. The case fatality rate exclusively
D. The number of vaccines administered
Correct Answer: A. The total number of existing cases (new and old) of a disease in a population at a given time
Rationale: Prevalence reflects all current cases (both new and pre-existing) of a disease at a specific point or period in
time.
7. A disease that is constantly present in a population at a baseline, expected level is described as:
A. Endemic
B. Epidemic
C. Pandemic
2
, BSN 325 Hallmark Exam Practice
D. Sporadic
Correct Answer: A. Endemic
Rationale: Endemic refers to a disease consistently present at an expected baseline level within a specific
population/region.
8. A sudden increase in disease cases above the expected baseline in a specific region is called a(n):
A. Epidemic (outbreak)
B. Endemic pattern
C. Sporadic case
D. Prevalence study
Correct Answer: A. Epidemic (outbreak)
Rationale: An epidemic (or outbreak) refers to a sudden increase in disease incidence above what is normally expected in
a given area.
9. A disease that spreads across multiple countries or continents, affecting a large number of people, is classified as a(n):
A. Pandemic
B. Endemic
C. Sporadic case
D. Isolated outbreak
Correct Answer: A. Pandemic
Rationale: A pandemic is a disease outbreak that spreads across multiple countries/continents, affecting a substantial
number of people worldwide.
10. The epidemiologic triangle consists of which three components?
A. Host, agent, and environment
B. Assessment, diagnosis, and planning
C. Incidence, prevalence, and mortality
D. Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention
Correct Answer: A. Host, agent, and environment
Rationale: The epidemiologic triangle describes the interaction between the host, the infectious/causative agent, and the
environment in disease causation.
11. Which best describes "herd immunity"?
A. Indirect protection of a population when a sufficiently high proportion is immune, reducing disease spread
B. Immunity present only in animals
C. A concept that applies solely to individual immunity
D. Immunity acquired only through natural infection, never vaccination
Correct Answer: A. Indirect protection of a population when a sufficiently high proportion is immune, reducing
disease spread
Rationale: Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient proportion of a population is immune (via vaccination or prior
infection), reducing overall disease transmission and protecting those who are not immune.
12. A case-control study design is best used to:
A. Compare individuals with a disease (cases) to those without (controls) to identify potential risk factors
B. Track a cohort forward in time to observe outcome development
C. Randomly assign an intervention to test its effect
D. Describe only the geographic distribution of disease
Correct Answer: A. Compare individuals with a disease (cases) to those without (controls) to identify potential
risk factors
Rationale: Case-control studies compare exposure histories between individuals with a disease (cases) and without it
(controls), useful for identifying risk factors, especially in rare diseases.
13. A cohort study design involves:
A. Following a group of individuals over time to determine the development of an outcome based on exposure status
3
, BSN 325 Hallmark Exam Practice
B. Only reviewing existing medical records retrospectively
C. Randomizing participants to a treatment or placebo group
D. Studying only individuals who already have the disease
Correct Answer: A. Following a group of individuals over time to determine the development of an outcome
based on exposure status
Rationale: Cohort studies follow groups of exposed and unexposed individuals forward in time to observe
outcome/disease development.
14. The gold standard study design for establishing causation in epidemiologic/clinical research is the:
A. Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
B. Case study
C. Cross-sectional survey
D. Ecological study
Correct Answer: A. Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Rationale: RCTs, through randomization and controlled conditions, provide the strongest evidence for establishing a
cause-and-effect relationship.
15. Which best describes a "sentinel event" in epidemiologic surveillance?
A. A single case of a disease that is significant enough to trigger investigation and public health response (e.g., a case of
measles)
B. A routine, expected health event requiring no follow-up
C. A statistical outlier with no clinical relevance
D. An event only relevant to hospital risk management
Correct Answer: A. A single case of a disease that is significant enough to trigger investigation and public health
response (e.g., a case of measles)
Rationale: In public health surveillance, a sentinel event/case (e.g., a single case of a reportable disease like measles)
triggers investigation due to its public health significance.
16. Surveillance in public health is best defined as:
A. The ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data to guide public health action
B. A one-time data collection with no further follow-up
C. Only applicable to infectious diseases
D. A punitive monitoring system for healthcare workers
Correct Answer: A. The ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data to guide public
health action
Rationale: Public health surveillance is the continuous, systematic process of collecting and analyzing data to inform
planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health action.
17. Reportable (notifiable) diseases must be reported to public health authorities primarily to:
A. Enable timely public health investigation, control measures, and monitoring of disease trends
B. Increase hospital revenue
C. Determine individual patient billing
D. Satisfy insurance requirements only
Correct Answer: A. Enable timely public health investigation, control measures, and monitoring of disease trends
Rationale: Mandatory reporting allows public health agencies to promptly investigate, respond to, and monitor trends in
diseases of public health significance.
18. Which is an example of a nurse's legal responsibility related to reportable diseases?
A. Reporting a confirmed case of tuberculosis to the local health department
B. Keeping the diagnosis confidential from all public health authorities
C. Only reporting if the patient consents
D. Reporting only chronic, non-communicable diseases
Correct Answer: A. Reporting a confirmed case of tuberculosis to the local health department
4
