NUR 601 Exam 1: Health Promotion and Disease
Prevention - St. Thomas University Updated and
Latest Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationale
1. A nurse is providing an influenza vaccination to an elderly patient at a community clinic.
Which level of prevention is being implemented?
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Primary prevention focuses on preventing the initial onset of disease or injury
through interventions like vaccinations. This level of care aims to reduce the incidence of
disease within a population by addressing risk factors before a problem starts. It contrasts
with secondary prevention which involves early detection and screening of asymptomatic
individuals. Tertiary prevention is distinct as it focuses on rehabilitation and management
of established conditions. Nurses play a critical role in primary prevention by educating
patients on healthy lifestyle choices.
2. Which component of the Health Belief Model (HBM) describes a person’s evaluation of the
potential obstacles to taking a health action?
A. Perceived susceptibility
B. Perceived barriers
C. Perceived severity
D. Perceived benefits
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Perceived barriers represent the negative aspects or obstacles that a person
believes will prevent them from adopting a health-promoting behavior. This evaluation
often involves weighing the cost, time, and effort against the potential outcome of the
action. Understanding these barriers allows healthcare providers to offer targeted
interventions to help patients overcome them. According to the Health Belief Model, if
barriers outweigh benefits, the individual is unlikely to change. Identifying these specific
challenges is a key step in clinical health promotion planning.
,3. According to the Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change), a patient who is planning to
quit smoking within the next month is in which stage?
A. Preparation
B. Contemplation
C. Precontemplation
D. Action
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The preparation stage occurs when an individual intends to take action in the
immediate future, typically defined as the next 30 days. During this phase, patients often
start making small behavioral changes or seeking resources to support their goal. This
stage follows contemplation, where the person is only considering change but has no firm
timeline. In the action stage, the patient would have already initiated the lifestyle change.
Recognizing the preparation stage is vital for providing the specific tools and
encouragement needed for success.
4. Which social determinant of health is considered the strongest predictor of an individual’s
health status?
A. Socioeconomic status
B. Genetics
C. Physical environment
D. Health literacy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Socioeconomic status (SES) is widely recognized as one of the most powerful
predictors of health outcomes across various populations. SES influences access to quality
healthcare, nutritious food, and safe living conditions, all of which impact longevity. While
genetics play a role in individual health, the social and economic environment often
determines how those genes are expressed. Lower SES is consistently linked to higher rates
of chronic illness and decreased life expectancy. Addressing SES disparities is a primary
goal of population health and health promotion initiatives.
5. Pender’s Health Promotion Model (HPM) emphasizes which of the following as a primary
motivator for behavior change?
A. Fear of disease
B. Perceived self-efficacy
C. External rewards
D. Environmental constraints
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model identifies self-efficacy as a central
concept for achieving health-promoting outcomes. Self-efficacy refers to an individual’s
belief in their own capability to successfully perform a specific health-related behavior.
Unlike models focused on disease prevention, Pender’s HPM highlights positive motivation
rather than fear of illness. High self-efficacy is associated with increased persistence and
success in maintaining healthy lifestyle changes over time. Nurses can enhance self-efficacy
by providing education, positive reinforcement, and helping patients set achievable goals.
6. Which level of prevention is represented by a nurse practitioner performing a Pap smear
for cervical cancer screening?
A. Secondary prevention
B. Primary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Primordial prevention
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Secondary prevention involves the early detection and diagnosis of disease
before symptoms become clinically apparent. Screening tests like Pap smears are designed
to identify precancerous changes so that early intervention can occur. The primary goal of
this level is to improve prognosis and reduce the severity of the disease’s impact. It differs
from primary prevention, which seeks to prevent the disease from ever occurring in the
first place. Effective secondary prevention relies on population-wide screening programs
and patient adherence to follow-up care.
7. A patient with type 2 diabetes is attending a diabetic foot care clinic to prevent ulcerations
and infections. This is an example of:
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Health protection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tertiary prevention aims to manage and rehabilitate individuals who already
have a diagnosed chronic condition. In this case, the patient already has diabetes, and the
goal is to prevent complications such as ulcers or amputations. This level of care focuses on
optimizing quality of life and slowing the progression of existing disability. It involves long-
term management strategies, physical therapy, and specialized clinics to minimize the
impact of the disease. By providing foot care, the nurse helps the patient maintain function
and avoid more severe health crises.
Prevention - St. Thomas University Updated and
Latest Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationale
1. A nurse is providing an influenza vaccination to an elderly patient at a community clinic.
Which level of prevention is being implemented?
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Primary prevention focuses on preventing the initial onset of disease or injury
through interventions like vaccinations. This level of care aims to reduce the incidence of
disease within a population by addressing risk factors before a problem starts. It contrasts
with secondary prevention which involves early detection and screening of asymptomatic
individuals. Tertiary prevention is distinct as it focuses on rehabilitation and management
of established conditions. Nurses play a critical role in primary prevention by educating
patients on healthy lifestyle choices.
2. Which component of the Health Belief Model (HBM) describes a person’s evaluation of the
potential obstacles to taking a health action?
A. Perceived susceptibility
B. Perceived barriers
C. Perceived severity
D. Perceived benefits
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Perceived barriers represent the negative aspects or obstacles that a person
believes will prevent them from adopting a health-promoting behavior. This evaluation
often involves weighing the cost, time, and effort against the potential outcome of the
action. Understanding these barriers allows healthcare providers to offer targeted
interventions to help patients overcome them. According to the Health Belief Model, if
barriers outweigh benefits, the individual is unlikely to change. Identifying these specific
challenges is a key step in clinical health promotion planning.
,3. According to the Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change), a patient who is planning to
quit smoking within the next month is in which stage?
A. Preparation
B. Contemplation
C. Precontemplation
D. Action
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The preparation stage occurs when an individual intends to take action in the
immediate future, typically defined as the next 30 days. During this phase, patients often
start making small behavioral changes or seeking resources to support their goal. This
stage follows contemplation, where the person is only considering change but has no firm
timeline. In the action stage, the patient would have already initiated the lifestyle change.
Recognizing the preparation stage is vital for providing the specific tools and
encouragement needed for success.
4. Which social determinant of health is considered the strongest predictor of an individual’s
health status?
A. Socioeconomic status
B. Genetics
C. Physical environment
D. Health literacy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Socioeconomic status (SES) is widely recognized as one of the most powerful
predictors of health outcomes across various populations. SES influences access to quality
healthcare, nutritious food, and safe living conditions, all of which impact longevity. While
genetics play a role in individual health, the social and economic environment often
determines how those genes are expressed. Lower SES is consistently linked to higher rates
of chronic illness and decreased life expectancy. Addressing SES disparities is a primary
goal of population health and health promotion initiatives.
5. Pender’s Health Promotion Model (HPM) emphasizes which of the following as a primary
motivator for behavior change?
A. Fear of disease
B. Perceived self-efficacy
C. External rewards
D. Environmental constraints
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model identifies self-efficacy as a central
concept for achieving health-promoting outcomes. Self-efficacy refers to an individual’s
belief in their own capability to successfully perform a specific health-related behavior.
Unlike models focused on disease prevention, Pender’s HPM highlights positive motivation
rather than fear of illness. High self-efficacy is associated with increased persistence and
success in maintaining healthy lifestyle changes over time. Nurses can enhance self-efficacy
by providing education, positive reinforcement, and helping patients set achievable goals.
6. Which level of prevention is represented by a nurse practitioner performing a Pap smear
for cervical cancer screening?
A. Secondary prevention
B. Primary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Primordial prevention
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Secondary prevention involves the early detection and diagnosis of disease
before symptoms become clinically apparent. Screening tests like Pap smears are designed
to identify precancerous changes so that early intervention can occur. The primary goal of
this level is to improve prognosis and reduce the severity of the disease’s impact. It differs
from primary prevention, which seeks to prevent the disease from ever occurring in the
first place. Effective secondary prevention relies on population-wide screening programs
and patient adherence to follow-up care.
7. A patient with type 2 diabetes is attending a diabetic foot care clinic to prevent ulcerations
and infections. This is an example of:
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Health protection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tertiary prevention aims to manage and rehabilitate individuals who already
have a diagnosed chronic condition. In this case, the patient already has diabetes, and the
goal is to prevent complications such as ulcers or amputations. This level of care focuses on
optimizing quality of life and slowing the progression of existing disability. It involves long-
term management strategies, physical therapy, and specialized clinics to minimize the
impact of the disease. By providing foot care, the nurse helps the patient maintain function
and avoid more severe health crises.
