Public Health Policy, Ethics, and Advocacy Quiz 2026 |Questions
|Answers |Rationales
1. A community health nurse is assisting in the development of a local policy to
provide free influenza vaccinations to the homeless population. Which ethical
principle is primarily being applied?
A. Autonomy
B. Veracity
C. Fidelity
D. Distributive Justice
Answer: D
Rationale: Distributive justice refers to the fair distribution of benefits and burdens in
society. Providing resources to those with the greatest need ensures equitable access to
healthcare.
2. Which action by a community health nurse best demonstrates the role of an
advocate?
A. Contacting a local legislator to support funding for a new community clinic
B. Performing blood pressure screenings at a senior center
C. Providing wound care to a client in a home setting
D. Documenting the immunization status of a school-aged child
Answer: A
Rationale: Advocacy involves acting on behalf of others to influence policy or resource
allocation. Contacting a legislator is a direct act of advocacy for community resources.
,3. A nurse is faced with an ethical dilemma where a client refuses a mandatory
quarantine for a highly contagious disease. The nurse must balance the client’s
rights against the community’s safety. This is an example of a conflict between:
A. Nonmaleficence and Beneficence
B. Veracity and Fidelity
C. Autonomy and the Common Good
D. Confidentiality and Justice
Answer: C
Rationale: The conflict arises between the individual’s right to self-determination
(autonomy) and the responsibility to protect the health of the general public (common
good).
4. A community nurse ensures that all participants in a research study regarding
lead exposure understand the risks and benefits before signing a consent form.
Which ethical principle is being upheld?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
Answer: C
Rationale: Autonomy is the principle that individuals have the right to make informed
decisions about their own lives and bodies, which is the basis for informed consent.
, 5. When a community health nurse provides truthful information about the side
effects of a new medication to a community group, which ethical principle is
being practiced?
A. Fidelity
B. Veracity
C. Beneficence
D. Justice
Answer: B
Rationale: Veracity is the ethical principle of telling the truth and being honest with clients
and the public.
6. A nurse is working to change a policy that restricts access to needle exchange
programs. The nurse gathers data on HIV rates to present to the health board.
This is an example of:
A. Lobbying
B. Social Marketing
C. Tertiary Prevention
D. Policy Advocacy
Answer: D
Rationale: Policy advocacy is the use of information and resources to influence decision-
makers to implement changes that improve health outcomes for populations.
7. Which of the following describes the ‘Utilitarian’ approach to public health
ethics?
A. Ensuring everyone receives exactly the same amount of resources
B. Respect for individual rights above all else
C. The greatest good for the greatest number of people
D. Adhering strictly to religious doctrines
Answer: C
|Answers |Rationales
1. A community health nurse is assisting in the development of a local policy to
provide free influenza vaccinations to the homeless population. Which ethical
principle is primarily being applied?
A. Autonomy
B. Veracity
C. Fidelity
D. Distributive Justice
Answer: D
Rationale: Distributive justice refers to the fair distribution of benefits and burdens in
society. Providing resources to those with the greatest need ensures equitable access to
healthcare.
2. Which action by a community health nurse best demonstrates the role of an
advocate?
A. Contacting a local legislator to support funding for a new community clinic
B. Performing blood pressure screenings at a senior center
C. Providing wound care to a client in a home setting
D. Documenting the immunization status of a school-aged child
Answer: A
Rationale: Advocacy involves acting on behalf of others to influence policy or resource
allocation. Contacting a legislator is a direct act of advocacy for community resources.
,3. A nurse is faced with an ethical dilemma where a client refuses a mandatory
quarantine for a highly contagious disease. The nurse must balance the client’s
rights against the community’s safety. This is an example of a conflict between:
A. Nonmaleficence and Beneficence
B. Veracity and Fidelity
C. Autonomy and the Common Good
D. Confidentiality and Justice
Answer: C
Rationale: The conflict arises between the individual’s right to self-determination
(autonomy) and the responsibility to protect the health of the general public (common
good).
4. A community nurse ensures that all participants in a research study regarding
lead exposure understand the risks and benefits before signing a consent form.
Which ethical principle is being upheld?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
Answer: C
Rationale: Autonomy is the principle that individuals have the right to make informed
decisions about their own lives and bodies, which is the basis for informed consent.
, 5. When a community health nurse provides truthful information about the side
effects of a new medication to a community group, which ethical principle is
being practiced?
A. Fidelity
B. Veracity
C. Beneficence
D. Justice
Answer: B
Rationale: Veracity is the ethical principle of telling the truth and being honest with clients
and the public.
6. A nurse is working to change a policy that restricts access to needle exchange
programs. The nurse gathers data on HIV rates to present to the health board.
This is an example of:
A. Lobbying
B. Social Marketing
C. Tertiary Prevention
D. Policy Advocacy
Answer: D
Rationale: Policy advocacy is the use of information and resources to influence decision-
makers to implement changes that improve health outcomes for populations.
7. Which of the following describes the ‘Utilitarian’ approach to public health
ethics?
A. Ensuring everyone receives exactly the same amount of resources
B. Respect for individual rights above all else
C. The greatest good for the greatest number of people
D. Adhering strictly to religious doctrines
Answer: C
