HESI PN COMMUNITY HEALTH
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND DISEASE CONTROL
HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION
COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT AND PROGRAM PLANNING
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND HEALTH DISPARITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE AND IMMUNIZATION
MATERNAL, CHILD, AND FAMILY HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY
HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE NURSING
DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
LEGAL, ETHICAL, AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN COMMUNITY
HEALTH
This examination assesses the practical nursing candidate's
readiness to practice in community and public health settings. It
evaluates knowledge of epidemiology, community assessment, health
promotion, disease prevention, vulnerable populations,
environmental health, and disaster preparedness. The test utilizes
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to measure clinical
judgment and decision-making. Emphasis is placed on population-
,focused care, health equity, and real-world application. Candidates
must demonstrate competency in all core domains to ensure safe and
effective community health nursing practice.
SECTION ONE
1. A practical nurse is planning a community health program.
Which action should be completed first?
A. Implement interventions
B. Evaluate outcomes
C. Assess community needs
D. Identify funding sources
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Community assessment is the first step in the
nursing process and provides data needed for planning
interventions. Implementation and evaluation follow assessment.
2. Which population is considered at highest risk for developing
communicable diseases?
A. Healthy young adults
B. School-aged children
C. Older adults with chronic illnesses
D. College students
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Chronic illness and aging can weaken immune
function, increasing susceptibility to infection.
, 3. A nurse conducting a home visit identifies loose rugs in an
older adult's home. What is the priority intervention?
A. Recommend new flooring
B. Remove or secure the rugs
C. Suggest the client use a walker
D. Document the finding
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Loose rugs are a fall hazard. Removing or securing
them is the immediate priority intervention to prevent injury.
4. A community health nurse is analyzing county-level data and
finds that the incidence of type 2 diabetes has increased by
12% over five years, while the prevalence has increased by 8%
over the same period. Which interpretation best explains the
discrepancy between incidence and prevalence rates?
A. Improved treatment and longer survival of individuals with
diabetes have increased prevalence relative to incidence
B. The population at risk has decreased, causing incidence to rise
faster than prevalence
C. A higher number of new cases are being diagnosed but many are
migrating out of the county, reducing prevalence
D. Screening programs have reduced the number of undiagnosed
cases, increasing prevalence more than incidence
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: Prevalence depends on both incidence and
disease duration. When incidence rises faster than prevalence, it
, suggests shorter disease duration. Improved treatment and longer
survival would increase prevalence relative to incidence.
5. A community health nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a
needle exchange program. Which outcome measure provides
the strongest evidence of population-level impact on reducing
bloodborne infections?
A. Number of needles distributed per month
B. Self-reported reduction in needle sharing among participants
C. Decline in incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in the
community
D. Increase in referrals to substance use treatment programs
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: The ultimate goal of needle exchange programs is
to reduce transmission of bloodborne infections. A decline in
disease incidence in the community provides the strongest evidence
of population-level impact.
6. A community health nurse is using the Public Health
Intervention Wheel (PHIW) to plan interventions for a
community with high rates of opioid overdose. Which
combination of interventions at the community level of
practice is most appropriate?
A. Case management and counseling for individuals with substance
use disorder
B. Screening for opioid use disorder in primary care clinics and
referral to treatment
C. Coalition building to advocate for safe injection sites and policy
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND DISEASE CONTROL
HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION
COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT AND PROGRAM PLANNING
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND HEALTH DISPARITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE AND IMMUNIZATION
MATERNAL, CHILD, AND FAMILY HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY
HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE NURSING
DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
LEGAL, ETHICAL, AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN COMMUNITY
HEALTH
This examination assesses the practical nursing candidate's
readiness to practice in community and public health settings. It
evaluates knowledge of epidemiology, community assessment, health
promotion, disease prevention, vulnerable populations,
environmental health, and disaster preparedness. The test utilizes
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to measure clinical
judgment and decision-making. Emphasis is placed on population-
,focused care, health equity, and real-world application. Candidates
must demonstrate competency in all core domains to ensure safe and
effective community health nursing practice.
SECTION ONE
1. A practical nurse is planning a community health program.
Which action should be completed first?
A. Implement interventions
B. Evaluate outcomes
C. Assess community needs
D. Identify funding sources
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Community assessment is the first step in the
nursing process and provides data needed for planning
interventions. Implementation and evaluation follow assessment.
2. Which population is considered at highest risk for developing
communicable diseases?
A. Healthy young adults
B. School-aged children
C. Older adults with chronic illnesses
D. College students
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Chronic illness and aging can weaken immune
function, increasing susceptibility to infection.
, 3. A nurse conducting a home visit identifies loose rugs in an
older adult's home. What is the priority intervention?
A. Recommend new flooring
B. Remove or secure the rugs
C. Suggest the client use a walker
D. Document the finding
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Loose rugs are a fall hazard. Removing or securing
them is the immediate priority intervention to prevent injury.
4. A community health nurse is analyzing county-level data and
finds that the incidence of type 2 diabetes has increased by
12% over five years, while the prevalence has increased by 8%
over the same period. Which interpretation best explains the
discrepancy between incidence and prevalence rates?
A. Improved treatment and longer survival of individuals with
diabetes have increased prevalence relative to incidence
B. The population at risk has decreased, causing incidence to rise
faster than prevalence
C. A higher number of new cases are being diagnosed but many are
migrating out of the county, reducing prevalence
D. Screening programs have reduced the number of undiagnosed
cases, increasing prevalence more than incidence
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: Prevalence depends on both incidence and
disease duration. When incidence rises faster than prevalence, it
, suggests shorter disease duration. Improved treatment and longer
survival would increase prevalence relative to incidence.
5. A community health nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a
needle exchange program. Which outcome measure provides
the strongest evidence of population-level impact on reducing
bloodborne infections?
A. Number of needles distributed per month
B. Self-reported reduction in needle sharing among participants
C. Decline in incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in the
community
D. Increase in referrals to substance use treatment programs
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: The ultimate goal of needle exchange programs is
to reduce transmission of bloodborne infections. A decline in
disease incidence in the community provides the strongest evidence
of population-level impact.
6. A community health nurse is using the Public Health
Intervention Wheel (PHIW) to plan interventions for a
community with high rates of opioid overdose. Which
combination of interventions at the community level of
practice is most appropriate?
A. Case management and counseling for individuals with substance
use disorder
B. Screening for opioid use disorder in primary care clinics and
referral to treatment
C. Coalition building to advocate for safe injection sites and policy
