ATI Community Health Exam 2 Study Guide: Epidemiology & Public
Health 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. Which of the following elements are included in the epidemiological triangle?
A. Host, agent, and environment
B. Incidence, prevalence, and mortality
C. Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention
D. Person, place, and time
Answer: A
Rationale: The epidemiological triangle consists of the host, the agent, and the
environment. These three factors interact to cause disease.
2. A nurse is conducting a screening for hypertension at a local health fair. This
is an example of which level of prevention?
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Answer: B
Rationale: Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and screening to identify
diseases in their earliest stages.
,3. Which term refers to the number of new cases of a disease in a population
over a specific period of time?
A. Prevalence rate
B. Mortality rate
C. Attack rate
D. Incidence rate
Answer: D
Rationale: Incidence rate measures the frequency of new cases occurring in a population
during a specified timeframe.
4. A community health nurse is teaching a group of parents about the
importance of childhood immunizations. This is an example of:
A. Secondary prevention
B. Primary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Health restoration
Answer: B
Rationale: Primary prevention involves measures taken to prevent the onset of disease,
such as immunizations and health education.
5. In the epidemiological triangle, which of the following is considered an
‘agent’ factor?
A. An individual’s genetic predisposition
B. Access to healthcare services
C. A polluted water source
D. The presence of a virus or bacteria
Answer: D
Rationale: An agent is the physical, chemical, or biological factor that causes the disease,
such as a bacteria or virus.
, 6. A nurse is working with a client who has chronic heart failure to help them
manage their symptoms and prevent complications. This is an example of:
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Primordial prevention
D. Tertiary prevention
Answer: D
Rationale: Tertiary prevention aims to reduce the impact of an existing disease and
prevent further disability or complications.
7. Which measure indicates the total number of people in a population who
have a specific disease at a given point in time?
A. Incidence
B. Case-fatality rate
C. Prevalence
D. Morbidity index
Answer: C
Rationale: Prevalence includes both new and existing cases in a population at a specific
point in time.
8. A nurse uses a ‘windshield survey’ to collect data about a community. What is
the primary method used in this survey?
A. Interviewing community leaders
B. Direct observation while driving through the area
C. Analyzing census data
D. Reviewing medical records
Answer: B
Rationale: A windshield survey is a subjective observation of a community’s physical
environment made while driving or riding in a vehicle.
Health 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. Which of the following elements are included in the epidemiological triangle?
A. Host, agent, and environment
B. Incidence, prevalence, and mortality
C. Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention
D. Person, place, and time
Answer: A
Rationale: The epidemiological triangle consists of the host, the agent, and the
environment. These three factors interact to cause disease.
2. A nurse is conducting a screening for hypertension at a local health fair. This
is an example of which level of prevention?
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Answer: B
Rationale: Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and screening to identify
diseases in their earliest stages.
,3. Which term refers to the number of new cases of a disease in a population
over a specific period of time?
A. Prevalence rate
B. Mortality rate
C. Attack rate
D. Incidence rate
Answer: D
Rationale: Incidence rate measures the frequency of new cases occurring in a population
during a specified timeframe.
4. A community health nurse is teaching a group of parents about the
importance of childhood immunizations. This is an example of:
A. Secondary prevention
B. Primary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Health restoration
Answer: B
Rationale: Primary prevention involves measures taken to prevent the onset of disease,
such as immunizations and health education.
5. In the epidemiological triangle, which of the following is considered an
‘agent’ factor?
A. An individual’s genetic predisposition
B. Access to healthcare services
C. A polluted water source
D. The presence of a virus or bacteria
Answer: D
Rationale: An agent is the physical, chemical, or biological factor that causes the disease,
such as a bacteria or virus.
, 6. A nurse is working with a client who has chronic heart failure to help them
manage their symptoms and prevent complications. This is an example of:
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Primordial prevention
D. Tertiary prevention
Answer: D
Rationale: Tertiary prevention aims to reduce the impact of an existing disease and
prevent further disability or complications.
7. Which measure indicates the total number of people in a population who
have a specific disease at a given point in time?
A. Incidence
B. Case-fatality rate
C. Prevalence
D. Morbidity index
Answer: C
Rationale: Prevalence includes both new and existing cases in a population at a specific
point in time.
8. A nurse uses a ‘windshield survey’ to collect data about a community. What is
the primary method used in this survey?
A. Interviewing community leaders
B. Direct observation while driving through the area
C. Analyzing census data
D. Reviewing medical records
Answer: B
Rationale: A windshield survey is a subjective observation of a community’s physical
environment made while driving or riding in a vehicle.
