FOUNDATIONS FOR POPULATION HEALTH IN COMMUNITY PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING EXAM REVIEW 2026/27

FOUNDATIONS FOR POPULATION HEALTH IN
COMMUNITY PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING EXAM
REVIEW 2026/27


1. Which best defines population health in community public health nursing?
A. Focus on treating individual patients in hospitals
B. Improvement of health outcomes of a group of individuals
C. Exclusive care for infectious disease outbreaks
D. Providing emergency care in clinical settings
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Population health focuses on improving health outcomes of groups or
communities rather than individuals. A and D focus on individual clinical care, while C
is too narrow.



2. Which model is most commonly used to guide population health nursing interventions?
A. Neuman Systems Model
B. Health Belief Model
C. Clinical Pathway Model
D. Nursing Process Model only
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The Neuman Systems Model is widely used in community/public health
nursing to assess stressors affecting populations. B is behavioral-focused, C is clinical,
and D is too limited.



3. A community nurse identifies high rates of diabetes in a population. This is an example
of:
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Health restoration
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and screening of disease.
Primary prevents disease onset; tertiary manages complications.



4. Which is an example of primary prevention?
A. Cancer screening
B. Rehabilitation after stroke

, C. Immunization programs
D. Physical therapy after injury
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Immunization prevents disease before it occurs. Screening is secondary;
rehabilitation is tertiary.



5. Epidemiology primarily studies:
A. Hospital management systems
B. Disease distribution and determinants
C. Nursing staffing ratios
D. Pharmaceutical development
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Epidemiology examines patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease
in populations.



6. Incidence refers to:
A. Total number of cases at a point in time
B. Number of new cases in a population over time
C. Severity of disease in a population
D. Number of deaths due to disease
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Incidence measures new cases; prevalence measures total cases.



7. Prevalence refers to:
A. New cases only
B. Total existing cases at a given time
C. Disease outbreaks only
D. Mortality rate
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Prevalence includes all existing cases (new and old) in a population.



8. A nurse conducting a home visit is practicing:
A. Tertiary care
B. Community-based care
C. Intensive care nursing
D. Acute hospital care
Correct Answer: B

, Explanation: Home visits are part of community-based nursing focused on individuals
and families in their environment.



9. Herd immunity refers to:
A. Immunity acquired only through infection
B. Protection of a population when most are immune
C. Immunity from antibiotics
D. Genetic resistance to disease
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Herd immunity protects even non-immune individuals when a large
proportion is immune.



10. Which is a social determinant of health?
A. Blood pressure
B. Genetics
C. Income level
D. Heart rate
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Income is a social determinant influencing access to healthcare and health
outcomes.



11. A community assessment primarily aims to:
A. Diagnose individual patients
B. Identify community health needs
C. Replace hospital services
D. Provide emergency treatment
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Community assessment identifies health needs, resources, and problems in
populations.



12. Which data source is most useful for population health surveillance?
A. Personal diaries
B. Hospital records only
C. Vital statistics
D. Social media posts
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Vital statistics (births, deaths) are reliable population-level data sources.