Page 1 of 84
ATI COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING EXAM
2026 QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
ATI COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING PRACTICE EXAM
covers key concepts for the ATI Community Health Nursing exam, including epidemiology,
levels of prevention, vulnerable populations, disaster preparedness, and community
assessment . Each question includes a detailed rationale to reinforce your understanding of
the core principles of community and public health nursing.
1. A community health nurse is planning an immunization clinic in a rural village.
Which action should the nurse take FIRST?
• A. Arrange for vaccine storage equipment.
• B. Notify community leaders of the clinic date.
• C. Develop an outreach and education plan.
• D. Conduct a community needs assessment.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nursing process always begins with assessment . Conducting a needs
assessment is the foundational first step to identify the specific needs, barriers, and resources
of the population before any planning or implementation can occur. The other actions are
important but should follow the assessment phase.
2. A public health nurse is developing a program to decrease the incidence of type 2
diabetes. Which intervention represents primary prevention?
• A. Screening adults for early signs of diabetes.
• B. Teaching a class on healthy meal planning and exercise.
• C. Administering insulin to clients with diabetes.
• D. Referring clients to a diabetic support group.
Correct Answer: B
, Page 2 of 84
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease or injury before it occurs through
health education and lifestyle promotion . Teaching about healthy behaviors such as meal
planning prevents the development of diabetes. Screening (A) is secondary prevention, while
administering insulin (C) and referring to support groups (D) are tertiary prevention.
3. A community health nurse is analyzing a neighborhood with high rates of asthma
exacerbations among children. Which initial action best reflects a primary community
assessment?
• A. Reviewing hospital admission rates for asthma.
• B. Conducting a windshield survey of housing conditions.
• C. Prescribing bronchodilators to affected children.
• D. Referring families to pulmonary specialists.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A windshield survey allows the nurse to directly observe environmental triggers
such as poor housing quality, pollution, and traffic exposure, which are all key components of
a primary community assessment . Reviewing hospital data (A) is secondary analysis, while
prescribing and referring (C, D) are clinical interventions rather than community-level
assessment.
4. A nurse is preparing an educational program on cultural perspectives in nursing.
Which of the following are influenced by an individual's culture? (Select all that apply)
• A. Nutritional practices
• B. Family structure
• C. Healthcare interactions
• D. Views about illness
• E. Biological variations
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Culture influences nutritional practices, family structure, healthcare interactions,
and views about illness . Biological variations are influenced by genetics and ethnicity, not
culture itself.
5. A community health nurse is planning a smoking cessation program. Which outcome
best measures the program's effectiveness?
• A. The number of educational brochures distributed.
, Page 3 of 84
• B. The number of nurses participating in the program.
• C. The percentage of participants who quit smoking after six months.
• D. Attendance at the first educational session.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Outcome evaluation measures actual health improvements. Smoking cessation
rates demonstrate whether the intervention achieved its intended health objective .
Distributing brochures (A) and attendance (D) are process measures, not outcome measures.
6. A public health nurse is investigating an increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases. Which
intervention is the highest priority?
• A. Recommend annual chest x-rays for everyone.
• B. Identify and evaluate close contacts of infected clients.
• C. Close all public schools.
• D. Administer prophylactic antibiotics to the entire community.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Contact tracing is a core public health intervention for communicable disease
control. Identifying and evaluating close contacts allows for early detection and treatment of
secondary cases, preventing further transmission . Mass screening (A) and community-wide
prophylaxis (D) are not appropriate for TB control.
7. A nurse is teaching a community group about disaster preparedness. Which item
should be included in every emergency preparedness kit?
• A. Fresh flowers.
• B. A three-day supply of water and nonperishable food.
• C. A television.
• D. Jewelry and valuables.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Emergency preparedness kits should contain essential supplies, including water,
food, medications, flashlights, and first aid supplies sufficient for at least 72 hours .
8. A community health nurse is working with a community that has a high rate of
obesity. The nurse plans to implement a primary prevention intervention. Which of the
following is an example of a primary prevention intervention?
• A. Screening community members for obesity.
, Page 4 of 84
• B. Referring clients with obesity to a nutritionist.
• C. Implementing a community-wide physical activity campaign.
• D. Providing diabetes education to clients with obesity.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs . A community-wide
physical activity campaign is a primary prevention intervention because it aims to prevent
obesity by promoting healthy behaviors. Screening (A) is secondary prevention. Referring
clients to a nutritionist (B) and providing diabetes education (D) are tertiary prevention
interventions.
9. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has had a stroke. The nurse
discusses physical therapy options and support groups. This is an example of which
level of prevention?
• A. Primary prevention
• B. Secondary prevention
• C. Tertiary prevention
• D. Health promotion
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tertiary prevention focuses on rehabilitation and preventing further disability
after a disease has occurred . Physical therapy and support groups help the client regain
function and prevent complications. This is a tertiary prevention measure.
10. A nurse manager at a community agency is developing an orientation program for
newly hired nurses. When discussing the differences between community-based and
community-oriented nursing, which situation is an example of community-based
nursing?
• A. A home health nurse performing wound care for a client who is immobile.
• B. An occupational health nurse providing classes on body mechanics at a local
industrial plant.
• C. A school nurse teaching a student who has asthma about medications.
• D. A parish nurse teaching a class on low-sodium cooking techniques.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Community-based nursing focuses on providing direct care to individuals and
families in the community setting . Wound care for an immobile client is direct care to an
ATI COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING EXAM
2026 QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
ATI COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING PRACTICE EXAM
covers key concepts for the ATI Community Health Nursing exam, including epidemiology,
levels of prevention, vulnerable populations, disaster preparedness, and community
assessment . Each question includes a detailed rationale to reinforce your understanding of
the core principles of community and public health nursing.
1. A community health nurse is planning an immunization clinic in a rural village.
Which action should the nurse take FIRST?
• A. Arrange for vaccine storage equipment.
• B. Notify community leaders of the clinic date.
• C. Develop an outreach and education plan.
• D. Conduct a community needs assessment.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nursing process always begins with assessment . Conducting a needs
assessment is the foundational first step to identify the specific needs, barriers, and resources
of the population before any planning or implementation can occur. The other actions are
important but should follow the assessment phase.
2. A public health nurse is developing a program to decrease the incidence of type 2
diabetes. Which intervention represents primary prevention?
• A. Screening adults for early signs of diabetes.
• B. Teaching a class on healthy meal planning and exercise.
• C. Administering insulin to clients with diabetes.
• D. Referring clients to a diabetic support group.
Correct Answer: B
, Page 2 of 84
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease or injury before it occurs through
health education and lifestyle promotion . Teaching about healthy behaviors such as meal
planning prevents the development of diabetes. Screening (A) is secondary prevention, while
administering insulin (C) and referring to support groups (D) are tertiary prevention.
3. A community health nurse is analyzing a neighborhood with high rates of asthma
exacerbations among children. Which initial action best reflects a primary community
assessment?
• A. Reviewing hospital admission rates for asthma.
• B. Conducting a windshield survey of housing conditions.
• C. Prescribing bronchodilators to affected children.
• D. Referring families to pulmonary specialists.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A windshield survey allows the nurse to directly observe environmental triggers
such as poor housing quality, pollution, and traffic exposure, which are all key components of
a primary community assessment . Reviewing hospital data (A) is secondary analysis, while
prescribing and referring (C, D) are clinical interventions rather than community-level
assessment.
4. A nurse is preparing an educational program on cultural perspectives in nursing.
Which of the following are influenced by an individual's culture? (Select all that apply)
• A. Nutritional practices
• B. Family structure
• C. Healthcare interactions
• D. Views about illness
• E. Biological variations
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Culture influences nutritional practices, family structure, healthcare interactions,
and views about illness . Biological variations are influenced by genetics and ethnicity, not
culture itself.
5. A community health nurse is planning a smoking cessation program. Which outcome
best measures the program's effectiveness?
• A. The number of educational brochures distributed.
, Page 3 of 84
• B. The number of nurses participating in the program.
• C. The percentage of participants who quit smoking after six months.
• D. Attendance at the first educational session.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Outcome evaluation measures actual health improvements. Smoking cessation
rates demonstrate whether the intervention achieved its intended health objective .
Distributing brochures (A) and attendance (D) are process measures, not outcome measures.
6. A public health nurse is investigating an increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases. Which
intervention is the highest priority?
• A. Recommend annual chest x-rays for everyone.
• B. Identify and evaluate close contacts of infected clients.
• C. Close all public schools.
• D. Administer prophylactic antibiotics to the entire community.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Contact tracing is a core public health intervention for communicable disease
control. Identifying and evaluating close contacts allows for early detection and treatment of
secondary cases, preventing further transmission . Mass screening (A) and community-wide
prophylaxis (D) are not appropriate for TB control.
7. A nurse is teaching a community group about disaster preparedness. Which item
should be included in every emergency preparedness kit?
• A. Fresh flowers.
• B. A three-day supply of water and nonperishable food.
• C. A television.
• D. Jewelry and valuables.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Emergency preparedness kits should contain essential supplies, including water,
food, medications, flashlights, and first aid supplies sufficient for at least 72 hours .
8. A community health nurse is working with a community that has a high rate of
obesity. The nurse plans to implement a primary prevention intervention. Which of the
following is an example of a primary prevention intervention?
• A. Screening community members for obesity.
, Page 4 of 84
• B. Referring clients with obesity to a nutritionist.
• C. Implementing a community-wide physical activity campaign.
• D. Providing diabetes education to clients with obesity.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs . A community-wide
physical activity campaign is a primary prevention intervention because it aims to prevent
obesity by promoting healthy behaviors. Screening (A) is secondary prevention. Referring
clients to a nutritionist (B) and providing diabetes education (D) are tertiary prevention
interventions.
9. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has had a stroke. The nurse
discusses physical therapy options and support groups. This is an example of which
level of prevention?
• A. Primary prevention
• B. Secondary prevention
• C. Tertiary prevention
• D. Health promotion
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tertiary prevention focuses on rehabilitation and preventing further disability
after a disease has occurred . Physical therapy and support groups help the client regain
function and prevent complications. This is a tertiary prevention measure.
10. A nurse manager at a community agency is developing an orientation program for
newly hired nurses. When discussing the differences between community-based and
community-oriented nursing, which situation is an example of community-based
nursing?
• A. A home health nurse performing wound care for a client who is immobile.
• B. An occupational health nurse providing classes on body mechanics at a local
industrial plant.
• C. A school nurse teaching a student who has asthma about medications.
• D. A parish nurse teaching a class on low-sodium cooking techniques.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Community-based nursing focuses on providing direct care to individuals and
families in the community setting . Wound care for an immobile client is direct care to an
