NSG 3480 PRACTICE COMMUNITY HEALTH EXAM 1 (PDF) |
2026 EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS + RATIONALES |
STUDY GUIDE | 100% CORRECT
1. According to the World Health Organization, which statement best defines health?
A) The absence of disease or infirmity
B) A state of complete physical, social, and mental well-being, not merely the absence of disease
C) The ability to perform daily activities without assistance
D) A resource for everyday life, emphasizing social and personal resources
Correct Answer: B) A state of complete physical, social, and mental well-being, not merely the
absence of disease
Rationale: The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental,
and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity . This positive concept
emphasizes overall wellness rather than just the absence of illness.
2. Based on the WHO definition, health is best viewed as:
A) The primary objective of living
B) A resource for everyday life
C) The absence of disability
D) A static state of being
Correct Answer: B) A resource for everyday life
Rationale: The WHO explicitly states that health is "a resource for everyday life, not the
objective of living" . This conceptualization positions health as a tool that enables individuals to
achieve their goals and cope with their environment.
3. Which of the following terms describes behaviors engaged in with the specific intent to
prevent disease or detect it in its early stages?
,A) Health promotion
B) Health maintenance
C) Health protection
D) Health restoration
Correct Answer: C) Health protection
Rationale: Health protection refers to those behaviors in which an individual engages with the
specific intent to prevent disease, detect disease in the early stages, or maximize health within
the constraints of disease . Examples include mammograms, vaccinations, and wearing helmets.
4. What is the primary difference between health protection and health maintenance?
A) Health protection focuses on early detection; health maintenance preserves current health
B) Health protection is reactive; health maintenance is proactive
C) Health protection is only for chronic illness; health maintenance is for acute illness
D) There is no meaningful difference between the two
Correct Answer: A) Health protection focuses on early detection; health maintenance preserves
current health
Rationale: Health protection involves intentional behaviors to prevent disease or detect it early
(e.g., screenings), while health maintenance refers to activities that preserve an individual's
present state of health (e.g., eating healthy, exercise) .
5. A nurse is teaching a community group about the determinants of disease. Which of the
following would the nurse include as determinants? Select all that apply.
A) Physical environment
B) Biology and genetics
C) Individual behavior
D) Social environment
,E) Policies and interventions
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E (All of the above)
Rationale: Determinants of disease include the physical environment, biology and genetics,
individual behavior, the social environment, policies and interventions, and access to high-
quality health care . These factors interact to influence health outcomes at the population level.
6. The Health Belief Model (HBM) is based on which of the following assumptions?
A) The major determinant of preventive health behavior is disease avoidance
B) Health behavior is determined solely by social support
C) Prior experience is the most important predictor of health actions
D) Health education is unnecessary for behavior change
Correct Answer: A) The major determinant of preventive health behavior is disease avoidance
Rationale: The Health Belief Model is based on the assumption that the major determinant of
preventive health behavior is disease avoidance . The model focuses on individual perceptions of
susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers to action.
7. A key limitation of the Health Belief Model is:
A) It overemphasizes the role of environmental factors
B) It places the burden of action on the client
C) It assumes all individuals have equal access to healthcare
D) It ignores the role of perceived susceptibility
Correct Answer: B) It places the burden of action on the client
, Rationale: A significant limitation of the Health Belief Model is that it places the burden of
action on the client . The model assumes individuals will take action if they perceive a threat,
without fully accounting for structural barriers or environmental constraints.
8. How does Paulo Freire's approach to health education differ from the Health Belief Model?
A) Freire focuses on individual perceptions; the HBM focuses on community empowerment
B) Freire uses a problem-solving approach and encourages critical reflection
C) Freire relies on fear appeals; the HBM emphasizes positive reinforcement
D) Freire is patient-driven; the HBM is provider-driven
Correct Answer: B) Freire uses a problem-solving approach and encourages critical reflection
Rationale: Paulo Freire's approach to health education uses a problem-solving method that
encourages active participation, ongoing dialogue, and critical reflection on health issues . This
empowers community members to become agents of change, unlike the HBM which is more
individual-focused.
9. Which theory emphasizes that health behavior is influenced by biopsychosocial factors and
includes seven parts in its framework?
A) Health Belief Model
B) Health Promotion Model
C) Transtheoretical Model
D) Social Cognitive Theory
Correct Answer: B) Health Promotion Model
Rationale: The Health Promotion Model explores biopsychosocial factors that influence
individuals to pursue health promotion activities and includes seven parts in its framework . It
focuses on the individual's characteristics, experiences, and behavior-specific cognitions.
10. The primary purpose of studying determinants of disease in community health is to:
2026 EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS + RATIONALES |
STUDY GUIDE | 100% CORRECT
1. According to the World Health Organization, which statement best defines health?
A) The absence of disease or infirmity
B) A state of complete physical, social, and mental well-being, not merely the absence of disease
C) The ability to perform daily activities without assistance
D) A resource for everyday life, emphasizing social and personal resources
Correct Answer: B) A state of complete physical, social, and mental well-being, not merely the
absence of disease
Rationale: The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental,
and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity . This positive concept
emphasizes overall wellness rather than just the absence of illness.
2. Based on the WHO definition, health is best viewed as:
A) The primary objective of living
B) A resource for everyday life
C) The absence of disability
D) A static state of being
Correct Answer: B) A resource for everyday life
Rationale: The WHO explicitly states that health is "a resource for everyday life, not the
objective of living" . This conceptualization positions health as a tool that enables individuals to
achieve their goals and cope with their environment.
3. Which of the following terms describes behaviors engaged in with the specific intent to
prevent disease or detect it in its early stages?
,A) Health promotion
B) Health maintenance
C) Health protection
D) Health restoration
Correct Answer: C) Health protection
Rationale: Health protection refers to those behaviors in which an individual engages with the
specific intent to prevent disease, detect disease in the early stages, or maximize health within
the constraints of disease . Examples include mammograms, vaccinations, and wearing helmets.
4. What is the primary difference between health protection and health maintenance?
A) Health protection focuses on early detection; health maintenance preserves current health
B) Health protection is reactive; health maintenance is proactive
C) Health protection is only for chronic illness; health maintenance is for acute illness
D) There is no meaningful difference between the two
Correct Answer: A) Health protection focuses on early detection; health maintenance preserves
current health
Rationale: Health protection involves intentional behaviors to prevent disease or detect it early
(e.g., screenings), while health maintenance refers to activities that preserve an individual's
present state of health (e.g., eating healthy, exercise) .
5. A nurse is teaching a community group about the determinants of disease. Which of the
following would the nurse include as determinants? Select all that apply.
A) Physical environment
B) Biology and genetics
C) Individual behavior
D) Social environment
,E) Policies and interventions
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E (All of the above)
Rationale: Determinants of disease include the physical environment, biology and genetics,
individual behavior, the social environment, policies and interventions, and access to high-
quality health care . These factors interact to influence health outcomes at the population level.
6. The Health Belief Model (HBM) is based on which of the following assumptions?
A) The major determinant of preventive health behavior is disease avoidance
B) Health behavior is determined solely by social support
C) Prior experience is the most important predictor of health actions
D) Health education is unnecessary for behavior change
Correct Answer: A) The major determinant of preventive health behavior is disease avoidance
Rationale: The Health Belief Model is based on the assumption that the major determinant of
preventive health behavior is disease avoidance . The model focuses on individual perceptions of
susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers to action.
7. A key limitation of the Health Belief Model is:
A) It overemphasizes the role of environmental factors
B) It places the burden of action on the client
C) It assumes all individuals have equal access to healthcare
D) It ignores the role of perceived susceptibility
Correct Answer: B) It places the burden of action on the client
, Rationale: A significant limitation of the Health Belief Model is that it places the burden of
action on the client . The model assumes individuals will take action if they perceive a threat,
without fully accounting for structural barriers or environmental constraints.
8. How does Paulo Freire's approach to health education differ from the Health Belief Model?
A) Freire focuses on individual perceptions; the HBM focuses on community empowerment
B) Freire uses a problem-solving approach and encourages critical reflection
C) Freire relies on fear appeals; the HBM emphasizes positive reinforcement
D) Freire is patient-driven; the HBM is provider-driven
Correct Answer: B) Freire uses a problem-solving approach and encourages critical reflection
Rationale: Paulo Freire's approach to health education uses a problem-solving method that
encourages active participation, ongoing dialogue, and critical reflection on health issues . This
empowers community members to become agents of change, unlike the HBM which is more
individual-focused.
9. Which theory emphasizes that health behavior is influenced by biopsychosocial factors and
includes seven parts in its framework?
A) Health Belief Model
B) Health Promotion Model
C) Transtheoretical Model
D) Social Cognitive Theory
Correct Answer: B) Health Promotion Model
Rationale: The Health Promotion Model explores biopsychosocial factors that influence
individuals to pursue health promotion activities and includes seven parts in its framework . It
focuses on the individual's characteristics, experiences, and behavior-specific cognitions.
10. The primary purpose of studying determinants of disease in community health is to:
