NURS 340 | NURS340 Final Exam: RN Community
Health - WCU Updated and Latest Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationale
1. A community health nurse is conducting a program for a group of people at risk for heart
disease. Which of the following activities should the nurse include as an example of tertiary
prevention?
A. Providing educational materials about a low-sodium diet.
B. Leading a support group for individuals recovering from a myocardial infarction.
C. Screening individuals for high blood pressure at a local health fair.
D. Administering influenza vaccines to elderly residents in the community.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tertiary prevention focuses on rehabilitation and preventing further
complications from an existing disease. This level of care aims to restore individuals to
their optimal level of functioning after an illness. Leading a support group for post-
myocardial infarction patients helps manage long-term recovery and prevents recurrence.
In contrast, screenings represent secondary prevention because they focus on early
detection. Educational materials and vaccinations are considered primary prevention
strategies aimed at preventing disease onset.
2. When applying the epidemiological triangle to a case of influenza, which of the following is
considered the ‘host’?
A. The influenza virus itself.
B. A crowded elementary school classroom.
C. A child with a weakened immune system.
D. Cold and damp winter weather conditions.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The epidemiological triangle consists of the agent, the host, and the
environment. The host is the living being that is affected by the agent. In this scenario, the
child with a weakened immune system represents the susceptible host. The influenza virus
is the agent causing the illness in the triangle. The classroom and weather conditions
represent the environment where the interaction occurs.
3. A nurse is calculating the prevalence rate of a chronic disease in a specific town. Which of
the following data points is necessary for this calculation?
A. The number of new cases diagnosed within the last year.
,B. The number of deaths caused by the disease during the year.
C. The number of people who recovered from the disease recently.
D. The total number of existing cases at a specific point in time.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Prevalence refers to the total number of all cases, both new and pre-existing, in
a population at a specific time. This metric provides a snapshot of the disease burden
within a community. It differs from incidence, which only tracks new cases occurring over a
period. To calculate prevalence, the nurse must identify all individuals currently living with
the condition. This data helps in planning long-term community resource allocation and
healthcare services.
4. Which action should a community health nurse take first when preparing to conduct a
windshield survey of a new neighborhood?
A. Interview local business owners about community needs.
B. Review census data regarding the population’s demographics.
C. Drive through the area to observe the physical environment.
D. Contact the local health department for morbidity reports.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A windshield survey is an informal tool used to gather data by observing a
community while driving or walking. The primary purpose is to gain an initial overview of
the neighborhood’s physical and social environment. This method allows the nurse to
identify obvious health hazards and community assets. While reviewing census data and
interviewing residents are important, they are separate assessment steps. The ‘first’ step in
a windshield survey is the direct observation of the area.
5. A nurse is working with a community that has a high rate of lead poisoning among children.
Which of the following is a primary prevention strategy?
A. Educating parents about the risks of lead-based paint in older homes.
B. Providing chelation therapy for children with high lead levels.
C. Testing children’s blood for lead levels at age one and two.
D. Referring affected children to specialized developmental services.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent the initial occurrence of a disease or injury.
Educating parents about lead risks helps them take steps to avoid exposure before any
poisoning occurs. Blood lead level testing is a screening tool, which falls under secondary
prevention. Chelation therapy and developmental referrals are forms of tertiary prevention
, for those already affected. This proactive education is the most effective way to eliminate
lead exposure at the source.
6. In the event of a mass casualty disaster, which color tag should the nurse assign to a client
who has a sucking chest wound but is conscious and alert?
A. Green
B. Yellow
C. Red
D. Black
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In disaster triage, the red tag signifies an immediate priority for life-threatening
but treatable injuries. A sucking chest wound is a critical respiratory emergency that
requires rapid intervention to ensure survival. Yellow tags are for delayed treatment of
non-life-threatening injuries like fractures. Green tags are for the ‘walking wounded’ with
minor scrapes or bruises. Black tags are reserved for those who are deceased or have non-
survivable injuries.
7. Which of the following describes the ‘Social Determinants of Health’?
A. The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age.
B. Biological and genetic factors that predispose a person to illness.
C. The specific medical treatments available to a community.
D. Individual choices regarding diet, exercise, and tobacco use.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Social determinants of health are the non-medical factors that influence health
outcomes. These include economic stability, education access, and the physical
neighborhood environment. They play a significant role in creating health inequities among
different populations. Understanding these factors allows community health nurses to
address the root causes of poor health. While genetics and individual choices matter, they
are distinct from social determinants.
8. A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a community-wide smoking cessation program.
Which outcome indicates the program was successful?
A. A decrease in the prevalence of smoking among residents.
B. An increase in the price of cigarettes at local stores.
C. Higher attendance at the program’s initial kickoff event.
D. A larger number of brochures distributed at the local clinic.
Health - WCU Updated and Latest Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationale
1. A community health nurse is conducting a program for a group of people at risk for heart
disease. Which of the following activities should the nurse include as an example of tertiary
prevention?
A. Providing educational materials about a low-sodium diet.
B. Leading a support group for individuals recovering from a myocardial infarction.
C. Screening individuals for high blood pressure at a local health fair.
D. Administering influenza vaccines to elderly residents in the community.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tertiary prevention focuses on rehabilitation and preventing further
complications from an existing disease. This level of care aims to restore individuals to
their optimal level of functioning after an illness. Leading a support group for post-
myocardial infarction patients helps manage long-term recovery and prevents recurrence.
In contrast, screenings represent secondary prevention because they focus on early
detection. Educational materials and vaccinations are considered primary prevention
strategies aimed at preventing disease onset.
2. When applying the epidemiological triangle to a case of influenza, which of the following is
considered the ‘host’?
A. The influenza virus itself.
B. A crowded elementary school classroom.
C. A child with a weakened immune system.
D. Cold and damp winter weather conditions.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The epidemiological triangle consists of the agent, the host, and the
environment. The host is the living being that is affected by the agent. In this scenario, the
child with a weakened immune system represents the susceptible host. The influenza virus
is the agent causing the illness in the triangle. The classroom and weather conditions
represent the environment where the interaction occurs.
3. A nurse is calculating the prevalence rate of a chronic disease in a specific town. Which of
the following data points is necessary for this calculation?
A. The number of new cases diagnosed within the last year.
,B. The number of deaths caused by the disease during the year.
C. The number of people who recovered from the disease recently.
D. The total number of existing cases at a specific point in time.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Prevalence refers to the total number of all cases, both new and pre-existing, in
a population at a specific time. This metric provides a snapshot of the disease burden
within a community. It differs from incidence, which only tracks new cases occurring over a
period. To calculate prevalence, the nurse must identify all individuals currently living with
the condition. This data helps in planning long-term community resource allocation and
healthcare services.
4. Which action should a community health nurse take first when preparing to conduct a
windshield survey of a new neighborhood?
A. Interview local business owners about community needs.
B. Review census data regarding the population’s demographics.
C. Drive through the area to observe the physical environment.
D. Contact the local health department for morbidity reports.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A windshield survey is an informal tool used to gather data by observing a
community while driving or walking. The primary purpose is to gain an initial overview of
the neighborhood’s physical and social environment. This method allows the nurse to
identify obvious health hazards and community assets. While reviewing census data and
interviewing residents are important, they are separate assessment steps. The ‘first’ step in
a windshield survey is the direct observation of the area.
5. A nurse is working with a community that has a high rate of lead poisoning among children.
Which of the following is a primary prevention strategy?
A. Educating parents about the risks of lead-based paint in older homes.
B. Providing chelation therapy for children with high lead levels.
C. Testing children’s blood for lead levels at age one and two.
D. Referring affected children to specialized developmental services.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent the initial occurrence of a disease or injury.
Educating parents about lead risks helps them take steps to avoid exposure before any
poisoning occurs. Blood lead level testing is a screening tool, which falls under secondary
prevention. Chelation therapy and developmental referrals are forms of tertiary prevention
, for those already affected. This proactive education is the most effective way to eliminate
lead exposure at the source.
6. In the event of a mass casualty disaster, which color tag should the nurse assign to a client
who has a sucking chest wound but is conscious and alert?
A. Green
B. Yellow
C. Red
D. Black
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In disaster triage, the red tag signifies an immediate priority for life-threatening
but treatable injuries. A sucking chest wound is a critical respiratory emergency that
requires rapid intervention to ensure survival. Yellow tags are for delayed treatment of
non-life-threatening injuries like fractures. Green tags are for the ‘walking wounded’ with
minor scrapes or bruises. Black tags are reserved for those who are deceased or have non-
survivable injuries.
7. Which of the following describes the ‘Social Determinants of Health’?
A. The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age.
B. Biological and genetic factors that predispose a person to illness.
C. The specific medical treatments available to a community.
D. Individual choices regarding diet, exercise, and tobacco use.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Social determinants of health are the non-medical factors that influence health
outcomes. These include economic stability, education access, and the physical
neighborhood environment. They play a significant role in creating health inequities among
different populations. Understanding these factors allows community health nurses to
address the root causes of poor health. While genetics and individual choices matter, they
are distinct from social determinants.
8. A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a community-wide smoking cessation program.
Which outcome indicates the program was successful?
A. A decrease in the prevalence of smoking among residents.
B. An increase in the price of cigarettes at local stores.
C. Higher attendance at the program’s initial kickoff event.
D. A larger number of brochures distributed at the local clinic.
