Chapter 15: Surveillance and Outbreak
Investigation Midterm Exam Questions
Already Solved.
1. A nurse considered copying last month's surveillance report and changing the date because the
number of occurrences per month had not noticeably changed. Which of the following best explains why
the nurse should continue to spend time collecting and reporting data that is always nearly the same?
A. Because such data are legally required
B. Because it is still part of the nurse's responsibilities, even if it is a waste of time
C. To determine a local baseline rate and immediately notice any change
D. To determine differences among communities in need for state assistance - Answer ANS: C To
determine a local baseline rate and immediately notice any change
Disease surveillance helps establish baseline (endemic) rates of disease occurrence and patterns of
spread. Surveillance makes it possible to initiate a rapid response to an outbreak of a disease or event
that can cause a health problem.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: pp. 267-268
2. A nurse attends a conference to learn more about public health surveillance. Why is it so important
that the nurse be knowledgeable about this topic?
A. Because nurses are employed in public health agencies
B. Because nurses are often the first to recognize and respond to a problem
C. Because nurses are responsible for ensuring that action is taken when necessary
D. Because nurses are typically the ones to interact with the public and the media - Answer ANS: B
Because nurses are often the first to recognize and respond to a problem
Nurses are often in the forefront of responses to be made in the surveillance process whether working in
a small rural agency or a large urban agency; within the health department, school, or urgent care
center; or on the telephone performing triage services during a disaster. It is the nurse who sees the
event first.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: p. 268
3. A rural public health nurse is spending time reviewing death certificates. Which of the following best
explains the purpose of this activity?
, A. To ensure that local causes of death are consistent with national causes of death
B. To confirm that no local health problems are beginning
C. To evaluate effectiveness of health promotion programs
D. To obtain mortality data for the local area - Answer ANS: D To obtain mortality data for the local area
Mortality data are often the only source of health-related data available for small geographic areas. Vital
statistics reports such as death certificates are reviewed. Useful information also comes from
administrative data such as discharge reports and billing records.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: p. 268
4. Which of the following types of surveillance is being used when case reports are routinely sent to local
health departments by health care providers and laboratories, where the data are then summarized and
forwarded to those responsible for monitoring such reports?
A. Active surveillance
B. Passive surveillance
C. Sentinel surveillance
D. Special surveillance - Answer ANS: B Passive surveillance
It is passive surveillance when case reports are sent to local health departments by health care providers
or laboratories. The case reports are summarized and forwarded to the state health department,
national government, or organizations responsible for monitoring the problem, such as the CDC. In active
surveillance, the health department nurse may begin a search for cases through contacts to determine
the magnitude of the problem. Sentinel surveillance involves looking for trends. Special surveillance is
developed when a particular type of data is sought.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 269
5. In which of the following situations would the nurse most likely use active surveillance?
A. A newspaper wants to know the incidence of asthma in the community.
B. A real-time ongoing communication channel is established to monitor a particular symptom.
C. Several children become ill with GI upset at one local school.
D. The nurse is asked to report the incidence of a specific nonreportable common problem in the
community. - Answer ANS: C Several children become ill with GI upset at one local school.
In active surveillance, the nurse may begin a search for cases to determine the magnitude of the
problem (how widespread it is). An example would be when several school children become ill after
Investigation Midterm Exam Questions
Already Solved.
1. A nurse considered copying last month's surveillance report and changing the date because the
number of occurrences per month had not noticeably changed. Which of the following best explains why
the nurse should continue to spend time collecting and reporting data that is always nearly the same?
A. Because such data are legally required
B. Because it is still part of the nurse's responsibilities, even if it is a waste of time
C. To determine a local baseline rate and immediately notice any change
D. To determine differences among communities in need for state assistance - Answer ANS: C To
determine a local baseline rate and immediately notice any change
Disease surveillance helps establish baseline (endemic) rates of disease occurrence and patterns of
spread. Surveillance makes it possible to initiate a rapid response to an outbreak of a disease or event
that can cause a health problem.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: pp. 267-268
2. A nurse attends a conference to learn more about public health surveillance. Why is it so important
that the nurse be knowledgeable about this topic?
A. Because nurses are employed in public health agencies
B. Because nurses are often the first to recognize and respond to a problem
C. Because nurses are responsible for ensuring that action is taken when necessary
D. Because nurses are typically the ones to interact with the public and the media - Answer ANS: B
Because nurses are often the first to recognize and respond to a problem
Nurses are often in the forefront of responses to be made in the surveillance process whether working in
a small rural agency or a large urban agency; within the health department, school, or urgent care
center; or on the telephone performing triage services during a disaster. It is the nurse who sees the
event first.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: p. 268
3. A rural public health nurse is spending time reviewing death certificates. Which of the following best
explains the purpose of this activity?
, A. To ensure that local causes of death are consistent with national causes of death
B. To confirm that no local health problems are beginning
C. To evaluate effectiveness of health promotion programs
D. To obtain mortality data for the local area - Answer ANS: D To obtain mortality data for the local area
Mortality data are often the only source of health-related data available for small geographic areas. Vital
statistics reports such as death certificates are reviewed. Useful information also comes from
administrative data such as discharge reports and billing records.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: p. 268
4. Which of the following types of surveillance is being used when case reports are routinely sent to local
health departments by health care providers and laboratories, where the data are then summarized and
forwarded to those responsible for monitoring such reports?
A. Active surveillance
B. Passive surveillance
C. Sentinel surveillance
D. Special surveillance - Answer ANS: B Passive surveillance
It is passive surveillance when case reports are sent to local health departments by health care providers
or laboratories. The case reports are summarized and forwarded to the state health department,
national government, or organizations responsible for monitoring the problem, such as the CDC. In active
surveillance, the health department nurse may begin a search for cases through contacts to determine
the magnitude of the problem. Sentinel surveillance involves looking for trends. Special surveillance is
developed when a particular type of data is sought.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 269
5. In which of the following situations would the nurse most likely use active surveillance?
A. A newspaper wants to know the incidence of asthma in the community.
B. A real-time ongoing communication channel is established to monitor a particular symptom.
C. Several children become ill with GI upset at one local school.
D. The nurse is asked to report the incidence of a specific nonreportable common problem in the
community. - Answer ANS: C Several children become ill with GI upset at one local school.
In active surveillance, the nurse may begin a search for cases to determine the magnitude of the
problem (how widespread it is). An example would be when several school children become ill after
