RN Community Health 2023
60 Questions With Detailed Rationales
Question 1 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A community health nurse is conducting a windshield survey of a neighborhood. Which of the
following observations is the priority concern?
A. Multiple residents sitting on porches in the afternoon
✓ B. Several boarded-up buildings and broken streetlights
C. Children playing in a fenced schoolyard
D. A community garden near the center of the neighborhood
✓ Correct Answer: B
A windshield survey involves driving through a community to assess health-related environmental factors.
Boarded-up buildings and broken streetlights indicate urban blight, reduced safety, and potential hazards —
these are priority concerns associated with increased crime, injury risk, and social determinants of poor health.
Community gardens, children playing safely, and neighbors socializing are positive community health indicators.
Question 2 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A public health nurse is planning a program to address the leading cause of death in adults aged
25 to 44 years in the United States. Which of the following programs should the nurse prioritize?
A. Cardiovascular disease screening
✓ B. Unintentional injury and overdose prevention
C. Cancer early detection
D. Diabetes management education
, ✓ Correct Answer: B
Unintentional injuries (including drug overdose) are the leading cause of death in adults aged 25–44 in the United
States. The opioid crisis has significantly contributed to this statistic. Prevention programs targeting substance
use disorders, overdose recognition, naloxone distribution, and motor vehicle safety are most impactful for this
age group. Cardiovascular disease becomes the leading cause in older adults (45+).
Question 3 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A community health nurse is conducting a home visit for a client who has COPD. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. The client uses pursed-lip breathing.
✓ B. The client's oxygen saturation is 88%.
C. The client sleeps with two pillows.
D. The client has a barrel chest.
✓ Correct Answer: B
An oxygen saturation of 88% is below the acceptable range. For clients with COPD, the target SpO2 is typically
88–92% (lower than the standard 95–100% due to hypoxic drive concerns). However, 88% is at the lower
boundary and combined with any clinical symptoms warrants provider notification. Pursed-lip breathing,
orthopneic positioning, and barrel chest are all expected findings in COPD.
Question 4 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A nurse is providing education at a community health fair about primary prevention strategies for
type 2 diabetes. Which of the following interventions is an example of primary prevention?
A. Providing foot care education to clients with diagnosed diabetes
B. Screening adults for prediabetes with a fasting blood glucose test
✓ C. Teaching healthy eating and physical activity to community members without diabetes
D. Referring clients with uncontrolled diabetes to an endocrinologist
, ✓ Correct Answer: C
Primary prevention focuses on preventing disease in healthy people. Teaching healthy eating and physical
activity to people without diabetes prevents the disease from developing — this is primary prevention. Screening
for prediabetes is secondary prevention (early detection). Foot care for diagnosed diabetics and specialist
referral for uncontrolled diabetes are tertiary prevention (managing existing disease and preventing
complications).
Question 5 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A public health nurse is working with a population that has a high rate of tuberculosis. Which of the
following interventions is the priority?
A. Administer BCG vaccine to all community members.
✓ B. Identify and treat active cases and trace contacts.
C. Encourage community members to wear surgical masks outdoors.
D. Distribute vitamin D supplements to all residents.
✓ Correct Answer: B
The priority intervention for controlling tuberculosis in a community is identifying active cases and performing
contact tracing to interrupt transmission. Directly observed therapy (DOT) ensures completion of treatment. BCG
vaccine is used in high-prevalence countries but is not routinely recommended in the U.S. Surgical masks
outdoors and vitamin D supplements are not evidence-based priority TB control measures.
Question 6 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A community health nurse is teaching a group of migrant farmworkers about heat-related illness
prevention. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Drink caffeinated beverages to maintain alertness during work.
B. Wear dark, tight-fitting clothing to absorb sweat.
✓ C. Take rest breaks in the shade and drink water every 15–20 minutes.
D. Work through the hottest part of the day to complete tasks faster.
, ✓ Correct Answer: C
Preventing heat-related illness in agricultural workers requires frequent rest breaks in shaded areas and
consistent hydration — drinking water (not caffeinated or sugary drinks) every 15–20 minutes, even without
feeling thirsty. Caffeinated beverages promote diuresis and dehydration. Dark, tight clothing increases heat
absorption. The hottest part of the day (10 AM–2 PM) should be avoided or limited. Acclimatization over 7–14
days is also important.
Question 7 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A nurse is providing care for a client who is experiencing intimate partner violence. Which of the
following is the priority nursing action?
A. Provide the client with information about local shelters.
✓ B. Assess the client's immediate safety.
C. Encourage the client to leave the relationship immediately.
D. Call law enforcement on the client's behalf.
✓ Correct Answer: B
The priority nursing action in intimate partner violence (IPV) is to assess the client's immediate safety — using a
validated tool such as the Danger Assessment. Is the abuser present? Does the client have a safe place to go?
Are there weapons in the home? The nurse must never pressure the client to leave, as leaving can be the most
dangerous time. Providing shelter information and safety planning follow the safety assessment. Calling law
enforcement without consent may endanger the client.
Question 8 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A home health nurse is teaching a client about the use of oxygen in the home. Which of the
following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?
✓ A. "I will notify the power company that I am using oxygen."
B. "I can increase the oxygen flow rate when I feel short of breath."
C. "I will keep my oxygen tank 4 feet from a heat source."
D. "I can lay the oxygen cylinders flat on the floor."
60 Questions With Detailed Rationales
Question 1 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A community health nurse is conducting a windshield survey of a neighborhood. Which of the
following observations is the priority concern?
A. Multiple residents sitting on porches in the afternoon
✓ B. Several boarded-up buildings and broken streetlights
C. Children playing in a fenced schoolyard
D. A community garden near the center of the neighborhood
✓ Correct Answer: B
A windshield survey involves driving through a community to assess health-related environmental factors.
Boarded-up buildings and broken streetlights indicate urban blight, reduced safety, and potential hazards —
these are priority concerns associated with increased crime, injury risk, and social determinants of poor health.
Community gardens, children playing safely, and neighbors socializing are positive community health indicators.
Question 2 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A public health nurse is planning a program to address the leading cause of death in adults aged
25 to 44 years in the United States. Which of the following programs should the nurse prioritize?
A. Cardiovascular disease screening
✓ B. Unintentional injury and overdose prevention
C. Cancer early detection
D. Diabetes management education
, ✓ Correct Answer: B
Unintentional injuries (including drug overdose) are the leading cause of death in adults aged 25–44 in the United
States. The opioid crisis has significantly contributed to this statistic. Prevention programs targeting substance
use disorders, overdose recognition, naloxone distribution, and motor vehicle safety are most impactful for this
age group. Cardiovascular disease becomes the leading cause in older adults (45+).
Question 3 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A community health nurse is conducting a home visit for a client who has COPD. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. The client uses pursed-lip breathing.
✓ B. The client's oxygen saturation is 88%.
C. The client sleeps with two pillows.
D. The client has a barrel chest.
✓ Correct Answer: B
An oxygen saturation of 88% is below the acceptable range. For clients with COPD, the target SpO2 is typically
88–92% (lower than the standard 95–100% due to hypoxic drive concerns). However, 88% is at the lower
boundary and combined with any clinical symptoms warrants provider notification. Pursed-lip breathing,
orthopneic positioning, and barrel chest are all expected findings in COPD.
Question 4 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A nurse is providing education at a community health fair about primary prevention strategies for
type 2 diabetes. Which of the following interventions is an example of primary prevention?
A. Providing foot care education to clients with diagnosed diabetes
B. Screening adults for prediabetes with a fasting blood glucose test
✓ C. Teaching healthy eating and physical activity to community members without diabetes
D. Referring clients with uncontrolled diabetes to an endocrinologist
, ✓ Correct Answer: C
Primary prevention focuses on preventing disease in healthy people. Teaching healthy eating and physical
activity to people without diabetes prevents the disease from developing — this is primary prevention. Screening
for prediabetes is secondary prevention (early detection). Foot care for diagnosed diabetics and specialist
referral for uncontrolled diabetes are tertiary prevention (managing existing disease and preventing
complications).
Question 5 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A public health nurse is working with a population that has a high rate of tuberculosis. Which of the
following interventions is the priority?
A. Administer BCG vaccine to all community members.
✓ B. Identify and treat active cases and trace contacts.
C. Encourage community members to wear surgical masks outdoors.
D. Distribute vitamin D supplements to all residents.
✓ Correct Answer: B
The priority intervention for controlling tuberculosis in a community is identifying active cases and performing
contact tracing to interrupt transmission. Directly observed therapy (DOT) ensures completion of treatment. BCG
vaccine is used in high-prevalence countries but is not routinely recommended in the U.S. Surgical masks
outdoors and vitamin D supplements are not evidence-based priority TB control measures.
Question 6 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A community health nurse is teaching a group of migrant farmworkers about heat-related illness
prevention. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Drink caffeinated beverages to maintain alertness during work.
B. Wear dark, tight-fitting clothing to absorb sweat.
✓ C. Take rest breaks in the shade and drink water every 15–20 minutes.
D. Work through the hottest part of the day to complete tasks faster.
, ✓ Correct Answer: C
Preventing heat-related illness in agricultural workers requires frequent rest breaks in shaded areas and
consistent hydration — drinking water (not caffeinated or sugary drinks) every 15–20 minutes, even without
feeling thirsty. Caffeinated beverages promote diuresis and dehydration. Dark, tight clothing increases heat
absorption. The hottest part of the day (10 AM–2 PM) should be avoided or limited. Acclimatization over 7–14
days is also important.
Question 7 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A nurse is providing care for a client who is experiencing intimate partner violence. Which of the
following is the priority nursing action?
A. Provide the client with information about local shelters.
✓ B. Assess the client's immediate safety.
C. Encourage the client to leave the relationship immediately.
D. Call law enforcement on the client's behalf.
✓ Correct Answer: B
The priority nursing action in intimate partner violence (IPV) is to assess the client's immediate safety — using a
validated tool such as the Danger Assessment. Is the abuser present? Does the client have a safe place to go?
Are there weapons in the home? The nurse must never pressure the client to leave, as leaving can be the most
dangerous time. Providing shelter information and safety planning follow the safety assessment. Calling law
enforcement without consent may endanger the client.
Question 8 of 60 RN Community Health 2023
A home health nurse is teaching a client about the use of oxygen in the home. Which of the
following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?
✓ A. "I will notify the power company that I am using oxygen."
B. "I can increase the oxygen flow rate when I feel short of breath."
C. "I will keep my oxygen tank 4 feet from a heat source."
D. "I can lay the oxygen cylinders flat on the floor."
