West Coast University NURS 340 Public Health Exam 1 (pdf) |
2026/2027 | Public Health Q&A | Community Health Nursing
1. Which of the following best describes the primary focus of public health
nursing?
A) Providing direct bedside care to acutely ill individuals in hospital settings
B) Focusing on the community as a whole and the effect of the community's
health status on individuals, families, and groups
C) Managing chronic conditions in long-term care facilities
D) Administering medications and treatments prescribed by primary care
providers
Correct Answer: Focusing on the community as a whole and the effect of the
community's health status on individuals, families, and groups
Rationale: Public health nursing focuses on the community as a whole and
examines how the community's health status affects the health of
individuals, families, and groups. The goal is to prevent disease and
disability, promote health, and protect the community. This population-
focused approach distinguishes public health nursing from other nursing
specialties.
2. According to the core functions of public health, which activity falls under
the function of "assessment"?
A) Developing policies that support the health of the population
B) Systematically collecting data on the population and monitoring health
status
C) Ensuring that essential community-oriented health services are available
D) Enforcing laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety
Correct Answer: Systematically collecting data on the population and
monitoring health status
,Rationale: Assessment is the systematic collection of data on the population,
monitoring the population's health status, and making information available
about the health of the community. This is the first core function and involves
diagnosing and investigating health problems and hazards in the community.
3. A public health nurse is working to ensure that all community members
have access to necessary health services. This action best exemplifies which
core function of public health?
A) Assessment
B) Policy Development
C) Assurance
D) Epidemiology
Correct Answer: Assurance
Rationale: Assurance involves making sure that essential community-
oriented health services are available to everyone, including providing
personal health services for those who would otherwise not receive them. It
also includes ensuring a competent public health and personal health care
workforce is available.
4. Which of the following is an example of a community-oriented nursing
intervention?
A) Administering a flu vaccine to an individual patient in a clinic
B) Developing a health education program for a local school district on
nutrition
C) Providing wound care to a patient in a home health setting
D) Assisting a patient with activities of daily living in a hospice facility
,Correct Answer: Developing a health education program for a local school
district on nutrition
Rationale: Community-oriented nursing has a broader scope and focuses on
preserving, protecting, promoting, or maintaining the health of the
community or specific populations within it. Developing a program for a
school district addresses the health of a population group, whereas individual
clinical care is community-based nursing.
5. What is the primary difference between community-based nursing and
community-oriented nursing?
A) Community-based nursing focuses on populations, while community-
oriented nursing focuses on individuals
B) Community-based nursing focuses on acute or chronic illness care for
individuals and families, while community-oriented nursing focuses on the
health of the community as a whole
C) There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
D) Community-based nursing is practiced only in hospitals, while community-
oriented nursing is practiced only in public health departments
Correct Answer: Community-based nursing focuses on acute or chronic
illness care for individuals and families, while community-oriented nursing
focuses on the health of the community as a whole
Rationale: Community-based nursing focuses on "illness care" of individuals
and families, managing acute or chronic conditions in community settings.
Community-oriented nursing has a broader scope, focusing on preserving,
protecting, or promoting the health of the community or population.
6. A nurse is applying the principle of "upstreaming" in public health practice.
Which action best reflects this approach?
A) Providing treatment for a patient with advanced heart disease
, B) Addressing the root causes of poor health, such as poverty and lack of
education
C) Administering medications to control a patient's hypertension
D) Referring a patient to a specialist for a complex medical condition
Correct Answer: Addressing the root causes of poor health, such as poverty
and lack of education
Rationale: Upstreaming is an approach that examines and addresses root
causes of health problems rather than just treating symptoms. It focuses on
preventing problems before they occur by addressing social determinants of
health. This can improve long-term outcomes and decrease healthcare costs.
7. Which ethical principle is concerned with the fair distribution of the
burdens and benefits of social resources?
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Distributive justice
D) Veracity
Correct Answer: Distributive justice
Rationale: Distributive justice is concerned with the distribution of the
burdens and benefits of social resources. It ensures that all people who need
resources have access to them, even when there are diverse populations
competing for these needs.
8. A public health nurse respects a client's right to make their own healthcare
decisions. This action demonstrates which ethical principle?
A) Fidelity
2026/2027 | Public Health Q&A | Community Health Nursing
1. Which of the following best describes the primary focus of public health
nursing?
A) Providing direct bedside care to acutely ill individuals in hospital settings
B) Focusing on the community as a whole and the effect of the community's
health status on individuals, families, and groups
C) Managing chronic conditions in long-term care facilities
D) Administering medications and treatments prescribed by primary care
providers
Correct Answer: Focusing on the community as a whole and the effect of the
community's health status on individuals, families, and groups
Rationale: Public health nursing focuses on the community as a whole and
examines how the community's health status affects the health of
individuals, families, and groups. The goal is to prevent disease and
disability, promote health, and protect the community. This population-
focused approach distinguishes public health nursing from other nursing
specialties.
2. According to the core functions of public health, which activity falls under
the function of "assessment"?
A) Developing policies that support the health of the population
B) Systematically collecting data on the population and monitoring health
status
C) Ensuring that essential community-oriented health services are available
D) Enforcing laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety
Correct Answer: Systematically collecting data on the population and
monitoring health status
,Rationale: Assessment is the systematic collection of data on the population,
monitoring the population's health status, and making information available
about the health of the community. This is the first core function and involves
diagnosing and investigating health problems and hazards in the community.
3. A public health nurse is working to ensure that all community members
have access to necessary health services. This action best exemplifies which
core function of public health?
A) Assessment
B) Policy Development
C) Assurance
D) Epidemiology
Correct Answer: Assurance
Rationale: Assurance involves making sure that essential community-
oriented health services are available to everyone, including providing
personal health services for those who would otherwise not receive them. It
also includes ensuring a competent public health and personal health care
workforce is available.
4. Which of the following is an example of a community-oriented nursing
intervention?
A) Administering a flu vaccine to an individual patient in a clinic
B) Developing a health education program for a local school district on
nutrition
C) Providing wound care to a patient in a home health setting
D) Assisting a patient with activities of daily living in a hospice facility
,Correct Answer: Developing a health education program for a local school
district on nutrition
Rationale: Community-oriented nursing has a broader scope and focuses on
preserving, protecting, promoting, or maintaining the health of the
community or specific populations within it. Developing a program for a
school district addresses the health of a population group, whereas individual
clinical care is community-based nursing.
5. What is the primary difference between community-based nursing and
community-oriented nursing?
A) Community-based nursing focuses on populations, while community-
oriented nursing focuses on individuals
B) Community-based nursing focuses on acute or chronic illness care for
individuals and families, while community-oriented nursing focuses on the
health of the community as a whole
C) There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
D) Community-based nursing is practiced only in hospitals, while community-
oriented nursing is practiced only in public health departments
Correct Answer: Community-based nursing focuses on acute or chronic
illness care for individuals and families, while community-oriented nursing
focuses on the health of the community as a whole
Rationale: Community-based nursing focuses on "illness care" of individuals
and families, managing acute or chronic conditions in community settings.
Community-oriented nursing has a broader scope, focusing on preserving,
protecting, or promoting the health of the community or population.
6. A nurse is applying the principle of "upstreaming" in public health practice.
Which action best reflects this approach?
A) Providing treatment for a patient with advanced heart disease
, B) Addressing the root causes of poor health, such as poverty and lack of
education
C) Administering medications to control a patient's hypertension
D) Referring a patient to a specialist for a complex medical condition
Correct Answer: Addressing the root causes of poor health, such as poverty
and lack of education
Rationale: Upstreaming is an approach that examines and addresses root
causes of health problems rather than just treating symptoms. It focuses on
preventing problems before they occur by addressing social determinants of
health. This can improve long-term outcomes and decrease healthcare costs.
7. Which ethical principle is concerned with the fair distribution of the
burdens and benefits of social resources?
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Distributive justice
D) Veracity
Correct Answer: Distributive justice
Rationale: Distributive justice is concerned with the distribution of the
burdens and benefits of social resources. It ensures that all people who need
resources have access to them, even when there are diverse populations
competing for these needs.
8. A public health nurse respects a client's right to make their own healthcare
decisions. This action demonstrates which ethical principle?
A) Fidelity
