Chapter 01: Public Health Foundations and Population Health
Stanhope: Public Health Nursing: Population-Centered Health Care in the Community,10th
Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What is the primary focus to be addressed concerning the improvement of the health of the
American people in the twenty-first century?
a. Bioterrorism and global health threats
b. Delivery of individual care and hygiene
c. The need for increased hospital and acute care
d. Chronic disease and disability management
ANS: A
There are new concerns, and of the most serious are bioterrorism and globally induced
infections, such as the avian flu. These threats will divert health care funds and resources
from other health care programs to be spent for public safety. The others are not related to
public health or are concerns that have been present for many years.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding TOP: Nursing process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. A community is concerned about the threat of bioterrorism. Which of the following best
describes the basis for this concern?
a. Bioterrorism has the potential to dissolve community-based programs.
b. This threat could cause the health care system to collapse.NURSINGTB.COMc.
The threat may divert funds from other public safety health care programs.
d. Fear of bioterrorism will increase the need for shelters.
ANS: C
Bioterrorism may have an impact on the availability of resources for public safety health
care programs. Because funds are diverted it is possible that community-based programs
would be eliminated, the health care system could experience changes, and that there would
be an increase in the need for shelter. However, all the remaining options would happen
because of the diversion of funds.
, DIF: Cognitive level: Analyzing TOP: Nursing process: Diagnosis MSC: NCLEX:
Physiological Integrity
3. Which statement describes the consequence of the successful implementation of the Affordable
Care Act?
a. Americans will pay closer attention to their health status.
b. Most of the population will be covered by health insurance.
c. Public health departments will need to increase the number of nursing positions.
d. The prevalence of obesity will decrease.
ANS: B
One consequence of successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act might be that the
majority of the population would be covered by insurance and public health agencies will
not need to provide direct clinical services in order to assure that those who need them can
receive them. The Affordable Care Act will not directly cause Americans to pay closer
attention to their health status or decrease the prevalence of obesity.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding TOP: Nursing process: Assessment MSC:
NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. The public health nurse (PHN) must participate in the essential services of public health.
What is one of the essential services of public health nursing?
a. Monitoring health status by completing a community assessment
b. Diagnosing and investigating health problems in the world
c. Informing, educating, and empowering people about health issues
d. Working in law enforcement to regulate health and ensure safety
ANS: C
The PHN monitors health status in several ways, completing a community assessment is
only one way that health status is monitored. The PHN would not diagnose or solve ―world‖
problems, or work in law enforcement. Rather, the PHN would participate with local
regulators to protect communities and empower people to address health issues.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding TOP: Nursing process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX:
Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. A public health department is using the mission of public health as described by the Institute of
Medicine when planning its health programming. Which of the following activities will most
likely be implemented?
a. Tracking avian flu outbreaks and doing surveillance in the United States
b. Providing a flu shot for an elderly person at the health department
c. Keeping track of alternative therapies in use in the United States
, d. Keeping snake antivenom at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta
ANS: A
The Institute of Medicine‘s stated mission on public health is ―to generate organized
community and technical knowledge to prevent disease and promote health.‖ Tracking avian
flu outbreaks and doing surveillance applies this concept at a population level. Providing a
flu shot for an elderly person only addresses individual care. Keeping track of the use of
alternative therapies does nothing to prevent disease or promote health of the population.
Keeping snake antivenom is aimed at disease care for an individual, not health promotion or
disease prevention.
DIF: Cognitive level: Analyzing TOP: Nursing process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX:
Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. A public health department makes sure that the essential community-oriented health services are
available in the community. Which of the following core public health functions is being
implemented?
a. Policy development
b. Assessment
c. Assurance
d. Scientific knowledge-based care
ANS: C
Assurance focuses on the responsibility of public health agencies to ensure certain activities
have been appropriately carried out to meet public health goals and plans. Policy
development seeks to build constituencies that can help bring about change in public policy.
Assessment includes activities that involve collecting, analyzing, and disseminating
information on both the health status and the health-related aspects of a community or a
specific population. Public health is based on scientific knowledge but is not a core function.
DIF: Cognitive level: Applying TOP: Nursing process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX:
Health Promotion and Maintenance
7. What is the purpose of public health core functions?
a. Clarifying the role of the government in fulfilling the mission of public health
b. Ensuring the safety of populations in receiving quality health care
c. Providing community-based individualized care to every person in the United
States
d. Uniting public and private providers of care in a comprehensive approach to providing
health care
, ANS: A
As defined by the Institute of Medicine in its 1988 report The Future of Public Health,
assessment, policy development, and assurance are core functions at all levels of
government for the purpose of clarifying the government‘s role.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding TOP: Nursing process: Assessment MSC:
NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
8. Which of the following statements about public health is accurate?
a. Prevention of early deaths can be more effectively accomplished by medical
treatment than by public health approaches.
b. Expenditures and resources for public health have increased in recent years.
c. Historically, gains in the health of populations have been related largely to changes in
safety, sanitation, and food safety.
d. Reform of the medical insurance system is the single change needed to improve the
health of Americans.
ANS: C
Fielding and Tilson have asserted that most of the increase in life span has been made
through improvements in sanitation, clean water supplies, making workplaces safer,
improving food and drug safety, immunizing children, and improving nutrition, hygiene, and
housing. Medical treatment has not made as significant of an impact on the life span as
public health measures. Funding for public health in recent years has been on a gradual
decline. Although reform of the medical insurance system may help improve the health of
Americans, there are many other factors that will need to be addressed.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding TOP: Nursing process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
9. A public health nurse (PHN) collects data and monitors the health status of the population.
Which of the following core public health functions is the nurse addressing?
a. Assessment
b. Prevention
c. Assurance
d. Policy development
ANS: A
Assessment consists of systematic data collection and monitoring health status.
Prevention is not a core function, assurance is making sure essential services are available,
and policy development is needed to provide leadership in developing policies.
Stanhope: Public Health Nursing: Population-Centered Health Care in the Community,10th
Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What is the primary focus to be addressed concerning the improvement of the health of the
American people in the twenty-first century?
a. Bioterrorism and global health threats
b. Delivery of individual care and hygiene
c. The need for increased hospital and acute care
d. Chronic disease and disability management
ANS: A
There are new concerns, and of the most serious are bioterrorism and globally induced
infections, such as the avian flu. These threats will divert health care funds and resources
from other health care programs to be spent for public safety. The others are not related to
public health or are concerns that have been present for many years.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding TOP: Nursing process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. A community is concerned about the threat of bioterrorism. Which of the following best
describes the basis for this concern?
a. Bioterrorism has the potential to dissolve community-based programs.
b. This threat could cause the health care system to collapse.NURSINGTB.COMc.
The threat may divert funds from other public safety health care programs.
d. Fear of bioterrorism will increase the need for shelters.
ANS: C
Bioterrorism may have an impact on the availability of resources for public safety health
care programs. Because funds are diverted it is possible that community-based programs
would be eliminated, the health care system could experience changes, and that there would
be an increase in the need for shelter. However, all the remaining options would happen
because of the diversion of funds.
, DIF: Cognitive level: Analyzing TOP: Nursing process: Diagnosis MSC: NCLEX:
Physiological Integrity
3. Which statement describes the consequence of the successful implementation of the Affordable
Care Act?
a. Americans will pay closer attention to their health status.
b. Most of the population will be covered by health insurance.
c. Public health departments will need to increase the number of nursing positions.
d. The prevalence of obesity will decrease.
ANS: B
One consequence of successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act might be that the
majority of the population would be covered by insurance and public health agencies will
not need to provide direct clinical services in order to assure that those who need them can
receive them. The Affordable Care Act will not directly cause Americans to pay closer
attention to their health status or decrease the prevalence of obesity.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding TOP: Nursing process: Assessment MSC:
NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. The public health nurse (PHN) must participate in the essential services of public health.
What is one of the essential services of public health nursing?
a. Monitoring health status by completing a community assessment
b. Diagnosing and investigating health problems in the world
c. Informing, educating, and empowering people about health issues
d. Working in law enforcement to regulate health and ensure safety
ANS: C
The PHN monitors health status in several ways, completing a community assessment is
only one way that health status is monitored. The PHN would not diagnose or solve ―world‖
problems, or work in law enforcement. Rather, the PHN would participate with local
regulators to protect communities and empower people to address health issues.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding TOP: Nursing process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX:
Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. A public health department is using the mission of public health as described by the Institute of
Medicine when planning its health programming. Which of the following activities will most
likely be implemented?
a. Tracking avian flu outbreaks and doing surveillance in the United States
b. Providing a flu shot for an elderly person at the health department
c. Keeping track of alternative therapies in use in the United States
, d. Keeping snake antivenom at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta
ANS: A
The Institute of Medicine‘s stated mission on public health is ―to generate organized
community and technical knowledge to prevent disease and promote health.‖ Tracking avian
flu outbreaks and doing surveillance applies this concept at a population level. Providing a
flu shot for an elderly person only addresses individual care. Keeping track of the use of
alternative therapies does nothing to prevent disease or promote health of the population.
Keeping snake antivenom is aimed at disease care for an individual, not health promotion or
disease prevention.
DIF: Cognitive level: Analyzing TOP: Nursing process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX:
Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. A public health department makes sure that the essential community-oriented health services are
available in the community. Which of the following core public health functions is being
implemented?
a. Policy development
b. Assessment
c. Assurance
d. Scientific knowledge-based care
ANS: C
Assurance focuses on the responsibility of public health agencies to ensure certain activities
have been appropriately carried out to meet public health goals and plans. Policy
development seeks to build constituencies that can help bring about change in public policy.
Assessment includes activities that involve collecting, analyzing, and disseminating
information on both the health status and the health-related aspects of a community or a
specific population. Public health is based on scientific knowledge but is not a core function.
DIF: Cognitive level: Applying TOP: Nursing process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX:
Health Promotion and Maintenance
7. What is the purpose of public health core functions?
a. Clarifying the role of the government in fulfilling the mission of public health
b. Ensuring the safety of populations in receiving quality health care
c. Providing community-based individualized care to every person in the United
States
d. Uniting public and private providers of care in a comprehensive approach to providing
health care
, ANS: A
As defined by the Institute of Medicine in its 1988 report The Future of Public Health,
assessment, policy development, and assurance are core functions at all levels of
government for the purpose of clarifying the government‘s role.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding TOP: Nursing process: Assessment MSC:
NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
8. Which of the following statements about public health is accurate?
a. Prevention of early deaths can be more effectively accomplished by medical
treatment than by public health approaches.
b. Expenditures and resources for public health have increased in recent years.
c. Historically, gains in the health of populations have been related largely to changes in
safety, sanitation, and food safety.
d. Reform of the medical insurance system is the single change needed to improve the
health of Americans.
ANS: C
Fielding and Tilson have asserted that most of the increase in life span has been made
through improvements in sanitation, clean water supplies, making workplaces safer,
improving food and drug safety, immunizing children, and improving nutrition, hygiene, and
housing. Medical treatment has not made as significant of an impact on the life span as
public health measures. Funding for public health in recent years has been on a gradual
decline. Although reform of the medical insurance system may help improve the health of
Americans, there are many other factors that will need to be addressed.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding TOP: Nursing process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
9. A public health nurse (PHN) collects data and monitors the health status of the population.
Which of the following core public health functions is the nurse addressing?
a. Assessment
b. Prevention
c. Assurance
d. Policy development
ANS: A
Assessment consists of systematic data collection and monitoring health status.
Prevention is not a core function, assurance is making sure essential services are available,
and policy development is needed to provide leadership in developing policies.
