,NU 401 National and Global Health and Policy
Issues Exam Prep — Comprehensive Review +
Practice MCQs — Herzing University 2026/2027
SECTION 1: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY OF DISEASE (Questions 1–35)
1. A nurse is studying the natural history of a disease. Which phase occurs before the onset of symptoms and
involves the interaction of host, agent, and environment?
A. Clinical phase
B. Prepathogenesis phase
C. Recovery phase
D. Chronic phase
Correct Answer: B — Prepathogenesis phase
Rationale: The prepathogenesis phase is the period before disease occurs, involving the interaction of host,
agent, and environmental factors. The clinical phase (A) begins with symptom onset.
2. Which term describes the number of new cases of a disease occurring in a population during a specified
time period?
A. Prevalence
B. Incidence
C. Mortality rate
D. Case-fatality rate
,Correct Answer: B — Incidence
Rationale: Incidence measures new cases occurring during a defined period. Prevalence (A) measures all
existing cases. Mortality (C) measures deaths.
3. A community has 500 existing cases of diabetes and 50 new cases diagnosed this year. Which measure is
represented by the 500 existing cases?
A. Incidence
B. Prevalence
C. Attack rate
D. Case-fatality rate
Correct Answer: B — Prevalence
Rationale: Prevalence measures all existing cases (new and old) at a point in time. Incidence (A) would be the
50 new cases.
4. Which term describes the proportion of people diagnosed with a disease who die from it within a specified
period?
A. Crude mortality rate
B. Case-fatality rate
C. Incidence rate
D. Prevalence rate
, Correct Answer: B — Case-fatality rate
Rationale: Case-fatality rate measures disease severity by calculating the proportion of diagnosed cases that
result in death.
5. A nurse is investigating an outbreak of foodborne illness. Which step is most appropriate first?
A. Administer treatment to all affected individuals
B. Confirm the existence of an outbreak and establish a case definition
C. Close all restaurants in the area
D. Issue a public statement blaming a specific food source
Correct Answer: B — Confirm the existence of an outbreak and establish a case definition
Rationale: Outbreak investigation begins with confirming excess cases and establishing a clear case definition.
6. Which term describes the resistance of a population to the spread of an infectious agent because a sufficient
proportion is immune?
A. Incidence
B. Herd immunity
C. Prevalence
D. Case-fatality rate
Correct Answer: B — Herd immunity
Issues Exam Prep — Comprehensive Review +
Practice MCQs — Herzing University 2026/2027
SECTION 1: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY OF DISEASE (Questions 1–35)
1. A nurse is studying the natural history of a disease. Which phase occurs before the onset of symptoms and
involves the interaction of host, agent, and environment?
A. Clinical phase
B. Prepathogenesis phase
C. Recovery phase
D. Chronic phase
Correct Answer: B — Prepathogenesis phase
Rationale: The prepathogenesis phase is the period before disease occurs, involving the interaction of host,
agent, and environmental factors. The clinical phase (A) begins with symptom onset.
2. Which term describes the number of new cases of a disease occurring in a population during a specified
time period?
A. Prevalence
B. Incidence
C. Mortality rate
D. Case-fatality rate
,Correct Answer: B — Incidence
Rationale: Incidence measures new cases occurring during a defined period. Prevalence (A) measures all
existing cases. Mortality (C) measures deaths.
3. A community has 500 existing cases of diabetes and 50 new cases diagnosed this year. Which measure is
represented by the 500 existing cases?
A. Incidence
B. Prevalence
C. Attack rate
D. Case-fatality rate
Correct Answer: B — Prevalence
Rationale: Prevalence measures all existing cases (new and old) at a point in time. Incidence (A) would be the
50 new cases.
4. Which term describes the proportion of people diagnosed with a disease who die from it within a specified
period?
A. Crude mortality rate
B. Case-fatality rate
C. Incidence rate
D. Prevalence rate
, Correct Answer: B — Case-fatality rate
Rationale: Case-fatality rate measures disease severity by calculating the proportion of diagnosed cases that
result in death.
5. A nurse is investigating an outbreak of foodborne illness. Which step is most appropriate first?
A. Administer treatment to all affected individuals
B. Confirm the existence of an outbreak and establish a case definition
C. Close all restaurants in the area
D. Issue a public statement blaming a specific food source
Correct Answer: B — Confirm the existence of an outbreak and establish a case definition
Rationale: Outbreak investigation begins with confirming excess cases and establishing a clear case definition.
6. Which term describes the resistance of a population to the spread of an infectious agent because a sufficient
proportion is immune?
A. Incidence
B. Herd immunity
C. Prevalence
D. Case-fatality rate
Correct Answer: B — Herd immunity
