ASSESSMENT TECHNOLOGIES INSTITUTE
ATI RN COMMUNITY HEALTH
CMS PRACTICE EXAM
Official Practice Exam - 2026/2027 Edition
QUESTIONS MINUTES PASSING SCORE RECERTIFICATION
50 90 80% CMS 2026/2027
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: Overview of Community Health Nursing & Factors Influencing
Community Health 10 Questions
Section 2: Community Assessment, Education, and Program Planning 10 Questions
Section 3: Practice Settings and Nursing Roles in the Community 10 Questions
Section 4: Aggregates and Care of Specific Populations 10 Questions
Section 5: Emergency Preparedness and Continuity of Care 10 Questions
Answer Key Quick Reference Grid
INSTRUCTIONS
This is a timed 90-minute practice examination consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions. Read each question
carefully and select the best answer. Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale to
reinforce learning. A passing score of 80% (40 correct answers) is required. Use this exam to identify content
areas requiring additional review before the proctored assessment. All scenarios reflect realistic community health
nursing practice settings.
ATI RN COMMUNITY HEALTH CMS EXAM 2026/2027 - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1 of 14
, Overview of Community Health Nursing & Factors Influencing Community Health
Q1 Question 1 of 50
A public health nurse is reviewing the core functions of public health with a group of nursing
students at the county health department. The nurse explains that assuring access to health
services for all residents aligns with which core function?
A. Assessment through systematic data collection on population health status
B. Policy development to create local ordinances supporting clinic funding
C. Assurance that essential health services are available and accessible
D. Research to evaluate the effectiveness of new vaccination protocols
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Assurance is the core public health function that guarantees populations have access to necessary health
services. Assessment involves data collection, policy development involves creating health-promoting laws,
and research is not one of the three core functions.
Q2 Question 2 of 50
A community health nurse is analyzing morbidity data for a rural county and notes that the
incidence rate of Lyme disease has tripled over the past two summers. To calculate the attack
rate during a recent outbreak at a local summer camp with 120 attendees and 18 confirmed
cases, which formula should the nurse use?
A. Total number of existing cases divided by the total population at a given point in time
B. Number of new cases during a specified period divided by the total population at risk
C. Number of deaths from the disease divided by the number of confirmed cases
D. Number of recovered cases divided by the number of susceptible individuals exposed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The attack rate is calculated by dividing the number of new cases by the total population at risk during a
specific time period, then multiplying by 100. Prevalence uses existing cases, case-fatality uses deaths per
cases, and recovery rate is not a standard epidemiological measure for outbreak analysis.
ATI RN COMMUNITY HEALTH CMS EXAM 2026/2027 - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 14
, Q3 Question 3 of 50
A nurse is conducting a home visit with a family living in a house built in 1954. During the
environmental health assessment, the nurse identifies peeling paint on window sills and
deteriorating plaster walls. Which action should the nurse prioritize based on current CDC
guidelines?
A. Recommend immediate soil testing around the perimeter of the home
B. Advise the family to repaint all interior surfaces within 30 days
C. Arrange for dust wipe sampling and blood lead level screening for children under six
D. Instruct the parents to restrict children from playing in the basement only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, and deteriorating surfaces create lead dust hazards.
Current CDC guidelines use a blood lead reference value of 3.5 microg/dL. Dust wipe sampling and blood
lead screening are the priority interventions. Soil testing and repainting alone do not address immediate
exposure risks.
Q4 Question 4 of 50
During a community health fair, a nurse is discussing the social determinants of health with a
group of older adults. A participant asks why residents in one neighborhood have a life
expectancy 12 years lower than residents in an adjacent neighborhood. Which factor should
the nurse identify as the primary driver of this disparity?
A. Genetic predisposition to chronic illness among specific ethnic groups
B. Higher rates of individual lifestyle choices such as smoking and alcohol use
C. Lack of motivation to seek preventive care among lower-income populations
D. Differences in health care access, income, education, and neighborhood conditions
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Social determinants of health, including economic stability, education access, neighborhood environment,
and health care access, are the primary drivers of health disparities. Attributing disparities solely to genetics,
individual choices, or motivation ignores systemic inequities and is inconsistent with Healthy People 2030
objectives.
ATI RN COMMUNITY HEALTH CMS EXAM 2026/2027 - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 14
ATI RN COMMUNITY HEALTH
CMS PRACTICE EXAM
Official Practice Exam - 2026/2027 Edition
QUESTIONS MINUTES PASSING SCORE RECERTIFICATION
50 90 80% CMS 2026/2027
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: Overview of Community Health Nursing & Factors Influencing
Community Health 10 Questions
Section 2: Community Assessment, Education, and Program Planning 10 Questions
Section 3: Practice Settings and Nursing Roles in the Community 10 Questions
Section 4: Aggregates and Care of Specific Populations 10 Questions
Section 5: Emergency Preparedness and Continuity of Care 10 Questions
Answer Key Quick Reference Grid
INSTRUCTIONS
This is a timed 90-minute practice examination consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions. Read each question
carefully and select the best answer. Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale to
reinforce learning. A passing score of 80% (40 correct answers) is required. Use this exam to identify content
areas requiring additional review before the proctored assessment. All scenarios reflect realistic community health
nursing practice settings.
ATI RN COMMUNITY HEALTH CMS EXAM 2026/2027 - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1 of 14
, Overview of Community Health Nursing & Factors Influencing Community Health
Q1 Question 1 of 50
A public health nurse is reviewing the core functions of public health with a group of nursing
students at the county health department. The nurse explains that assuring access to health
services for all residents aligns with which core function?
A. Assessment through systematic data collection on population health status
B. Policy development to create local ordinances supporting clinic funding
C. Assurance that essential health services are available and accessible
D. Research to evaluate the effectiveness of new vaccination protocols
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Assurance is the core public health function that guarantees populations have access to necessary health
services. Assessment involves data collection, policy development involves creating health-promoting laws,
and research is not one of the three core functions.
Q2 Question 2 of 50
A community health nurse is analyzing morbidity data for a rural county and notes that the
incidence rate of Lyme disease has tripled over the past two summers. To calculate the attack
rate during a recent outbreak at a local summer camp with 120 attendees and 18 confirmed
cases, which formula should the nurse use?
A. Total number of existing cases divided by the total population at a given point in time
B. Number of new cases during a specified period divided by the total population at risk
C. Number of deaths from the disease divided by the number of confirmed cases
D. Number of recovered cases divided by the number of susceptible individuals exposed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The attack rate is calculated by dividing the number of new cases by the total population at risk during a
specific time period, then multiplying by 100. Prevalence uses existing cases, case-fatality uses deaths per
cases, and recovery rate is not a standard epidemiological measure for outbreak analysis.
ATI RN COMMUNITY HEALTH CMS EXAM 2026/2027 - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 14
, Q3 Question 3 of 50
A nurse is conducting a home visit with a family living in a house built in 1954. During the
environmental health assessment, the nurse identifies peeling paint on window sills and
deteriorating plaster walls. Which action should the nurse prioritize based on current CDC
guidelines?
A. Recommend immediate soil testing around the perimeter of the home
B. Advise the family to repaint all interior surfaces within 30 days
C. Arrange for dust wipe sampling and blood lead level screening for children under six
D. Instruct the parents to restrict children from playing in the basement only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, and deteriorating surfaces create lead dust hazards.
Current CDC guidelines use a blood lead reference value of 3.5 microg/dL. Dust wipe sampling and blood
lead screening are the priority interventions. Soil testing and repainting alone do not address immediate
exposure risks.
Q4 Question 4 of 50
During a community health fair, a nurse is discussing the social determinants of health with a
group of older adults. A participant asks why residents in one neighborhood have a life
expectancy 12 years lower than residents in an adjacent neighborhood. Which factor should
the nurse identify as the primary driver of this disparity?
A. Genetic predisposition to chronic illness among specific ethnic groups
B. Higher rates of individual lifestyle choices such as smoking and alcohol use
C. Lack of motivation to seek preventive care among lower-income populations
D. Differences in health care access, income, education, and neighborhood conditions
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Social determinants of health, including economic stability, education access, neighborhood environment,
and health care access, are the primary drivers of health disparities. Attributing disparities solely to genetics,
individual choices, or motivation ignores systemic inequities and is inconsistent with Healthy People 2030
objectives.
ATI RN COMMUNITY HEALTH CMS EXAM 2026/2027 - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 14
