Nursing Practice at the Local, State, and National
Levels in Public Health Questions with Verified
Answers
1. Which of the following is the underlying science or area of study on which public health is based?
A. Biostatistics
B. Epidemiology
C. Medicine
D. Social sciences - Answer ANS: B Epidemiology
Public health uses biostatistics in its practice. It is not a branch of medicine; it is an organized community
approach designed to prevent disease, promote health, and protect populations. It works across many
disciplines and is based on the scientific core of epidemiology.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remember (Knowledge) REF: p. 524
2. A nurse is employed at the state department of public health. Which of the following is a fundamental
principle guiding his practice?
A. Decisions are made at the federal level, disseminated at the state level, and carried out at the
community level.
B. Health of populations is only as good as the health of individuals that live and work in the community.
C. Oversight of community health departments is the most important function.
D. The interaction of the local-state-federal partnership is critical to success. - Answer ANS: D The
interaction of the local-state-federal partnership is critical to success.
In the United States, the local-state-federal partnership includes federal agencies, the state and
territorial public health agencies, and the local public health agencies. Their effective interaction is
critical to the effective use of both financial and personnel resources to address the health of
populations. Nurses working in all of these agencies work together to identify, develop, and implement
interventions that will improve and maintain the nation's health.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: p. 524
, 3. The public health administrator is in the process of hiring a new public health nurse. Which of the
following statements made by an applicant would most likely result in the applicant not being hired?
A. "I like to be the only person working on a project because individuals in teams have their own ideas
and plans and the resulting debate slows progress."
B. "I prefer to work in teams because no single person has too much responsibility because the burden is
shared."
C. "Teamwork is better than work done by individuals because teamwork incorporates different
perspectives."
D. "Whether teamwork is better than work done by individuals depends on the nature of the work being
performed." - Answer ANS: A "I like to be the only person working on a project because individuals in
teams have their own ideas and plans and the resulting debate slows progress."
Working in collaborative partnerships is an essential role of public health nursing. Partnerships and
collaboration among groups are much more powerful in making change than the individual client and
nurse working alone. Part of the reason is that multiple perspectives are examined in the process of
coming to the best solution.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: p. 524
4. Which of the following federal agencies is most influential in public health activities?
A. The Agency for Healthcare, Research, and Quality
B. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
C. Department of Health and Human Services
D. Food and Drug Administration - Answer ANS: C Department of Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) and the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) are the federal agencies that most influence public health activities at the state and local levels.
The Agency for Healthcare, Research, and Quality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and
the Food and Drug Administration are all pieces of the broader USDHHS.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remember (Knowledge) REF: p. 524
Levels in Public Health Questions with Verified
Answers
1. Which of the following is the underlying science or area of study on which public health is based?
A. Biostatistics
B. Epidemiology
C. Medicine
D. Social sciences - Answer ANS: B Epidemiology
Public health uses biostatistics in its practice. It is not a branch of medicine; it is an organized community
approach designed to prevent disease, promote health, and protect populations. It works across many
disciplines and is based on the scientific core of epidemiology.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remember (Knowledge) REF: p. 524
2. A nurse is employed at the state department of public health. Which of the following is a fundamental
principle guiding his practice?
A. Decisions are made at the federal level, disseminated at the state level, and carried out at the
community level.
B. Health of populations is only as good as the health of individuals that live and work in the community.
C. Oversight of community health departments is the most important function.
D. The interaction of the local-state-federal partnership is critical to success. - Answer ANS: D The
interaction of the local-state-federal partnership is critical to success.
In the United States, the local-state-federal partnership includes federal agencies, the state and
territorial public health agencies, and the local public health agencies. Their effective interaction is
critical to the effective use of both financial and personnel resources to address the health of
populations. Nurses working in all of these agencies work together to identify, develop, and implement
interventions that will improve and maintain the nation's health.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: p. 524
, 3. The public health administrator is in the process of hiring a new public health nurse. Which of the
following statements made by an applicant would most likely result in the applicant not being hired?
A. "I like to be the only person working on a project because individuals in teams have their own ideas
and plans and the resulting debate slows progress."
B. "I prefer to work in teams because no single person has too much responsibility because the burden is
shared."
C. "Teamwork is better than work done by individuals because teamwork incorporates different
perspectives."
D. "Whether teamwork is better than work done by individuals depends on the nature of the work being
performed." - Answer ANS: A "I like to be the only person working on a project because individuals in
teams have their own ideas and plans and the resulting debate slows progress."
Working in collaborative partnerships is an essential role of public health nursing. Partnerships and
collaboration among groups are much more powerful in making change than the individual client and
nurse working alone. Part of the reason is that multiple perspectives are examined in the process of
coming to the best solution.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: p. 524
4. Which of the following federal agencies is most influential in public health activities?
A. The Agency for Healthcare, Research, and Quality
B. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
C. Department of Health and Human Services
D. Food and Drug Administration - Answer ANS: C Department of Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) and the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) are the federal agencies that most influence public health activities at the state and local levels.
The Agency for Healthcare, Research, and Quality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and
the Food and Drug Administration are all pieces of the broader USDHHS.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remember (Knowledge) REF: p. 524
