Chapter 24: Public Health Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation

2. A staff nurse has demonstrated the ability to be competent as a participant in surveillance and investigation activities. What skills would you expect that nurse to possess? Select all that apply. a. The ability to identify appropriate data sources b. The ability to communicate effectively using written reports c. The ability to collaborate with community agencies d. The ability to create a budget - ANS: A, C, D The staff nurse must have analytic assessment skills, communication skills, and community dimensions of practice to be a participant in surveillance and investigation. 2. Which problem does a health department usually have the legal authority to investigate? a. Pandemics b. Unusual clusters of illness c. World trends of disease d. Cases of the common cold and pneumonia - ANS: B Powers of local government include surveillance of unusual clusters of illness. 3. Which are the objectives of a disease investigation? Select all that apply. a. To enhance the knowledge of the nurse working in public health b. To control and prevent disease and death c. To identify factors that contribute to the disease outbreak/even occurrence d. To implement measures to prevent occurrences - ANS: B, C, D Enhancing the knowledge of the nurse working in public health is not an object of an investigation. 3. Which is a feature of public health surveillance? a. Sharing of the results with other