NURS 340 | NURS340 Exam 2: RN Community
Health - WCU Updated and Latest Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationale
1. A community health nurse is studying the epidemiological triangle. Which of the following
factors should the nurse identify as an ‘agent’ factor?
A. Chemical toxins
B. Genetic predisposition
C. Climatic conditions
D. Human behavior
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The epidemiological triangle consists of the host, the agent, and the
environment. Agents are the factors that cause the disease or health problem, such as
bacteria, viruses, or chemical toxins. Genetic predisposition and human behavior are
considered host factors because they reside within the individual. Climatic conditions are
environmental factors that influence the exposure or susceptibility to the agent. Identifying
the specific agent is critical for implementing effective control measures in a population.
2. Which intervention should the nurse include when planning a primary prevention strategy
for a local community?
A. Providing skin cancer screenings at a health fair
B. Conducting physical therapy for stroke survivors
C. Leading a support group for individuals with diabetes
D. Teaching a class on the importance of vaccination to parents
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent the onset of disease or injury before it
occurs. Education about vaccinations is a classic example of primary prevention as it
reduces the risk of infection. Screenings represent secondary prevention because they
focus on early detection of existing conditions. Support groups and physical therapy are
tertiary prevention strategies focused on rehabilitation and preventing complications.
Community nurses prioritize primary prevention to lower the overall burden of disease
within a population.
3. A nurse is calculating the incidence rate of influenza in a local town. Which of the following
data points is necessary for this calculation?
A. The total number of existing cases in the population
B. The death rate associated with the current flu season
,C. The percentage of the population already immune to the virus
D. The number of new cases diagnosed within a specific timeframe
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The incidence rate measures the frequency of new cases of a disease occurring
in a population over a period. This differs from prevalence, which looks at the total number
of both new and existing cases. To calculate this, the nurse needs a defined population at
risk and the count of new occurrences. It provides insight into the spread of an acute
condition like influenza within a community. Tracking incidence is essential for identifying
outbreaks and evaluating the effectiveness of prevention programs.
4. A nurse is performing a secondary prevention activity. Which action best fits this category?
A. Advocating for better air quality legislation
B. Administering a TST (Tuberculin Skin Test) to school employees
C. Providing nutrition education to a patient with heart failure
D. Distributing condoms at a local college campus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Secondary prevention focuses on early identification and screening of diseases
to ensure prompt treatment. The Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) is a screening tool used to
detect latent tuberculosis infection. Legislation and condom distribution are primary
prevention measures because they aim to prevent initial exposure or onset. Nutrition
education for a patient who already has heart failure is a tertiary prevention effort.
Effective secondary prevention can significantly improve health outcomes by addressing
issues in their early stages.
5. What is the primary purpose of disease surveillance in community health nursing?
A. To monitor and analyze health data for trend identification
B. To provide direct clinical care to infected individuals
C. To punish individuals who do not comply with health mandates
D. To replace the need for community health assessments
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Disease surveillance involves the systematic collection, analysis, and
interpretation of health data. It is used to monitor the timing and geographic spread of
diseases to detect outbreaks early. This information allows health officials to plan,
implement, and evaluate public health practices effectively. Surveillance does not provide
individual clinical care but informs the broader public health strategy. Without accurate
surveillance data, community health trends would remain hidden, making resource
allocation difficult.
, 6. A nurse is using the ‘Web of Causality’ model to investigate a spike in childhood obesity.
Why is this model appropriate for this health issue?
A. It focuses solely on the biological agent causing the problem
B. It illustrates the complex interactions of multiple risk factors
C. It identifies a single, definitive cause for the health condition
D. It prioritizes environmental factors over individual behaviors
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Web of Causality model recognizes that most chronic health problems are
the result of multiple interacting factors. Childhood obesity is influenced by genetics, diet,
physical activity levels, socioeconomic status, and environmental access. Unlike the
epidemiological triangle which often looks for a specific agent, the web shows how these
variables interconnect. Using this model helps nurses develop multi-faceted interventions
that address several root causes simultaneously. It provides a more holistic view of
community health trends than simple linear models.
7. A community is experiencing an epidemic. Which description best defines this
phenomenon?
A. A constant presence of a disease within a specific geographic area
B. An unexpected increase in the number of disease cases in a specific area
C. The spread of a disease across multiple countries or continents
D. The total number of deaths caused by a disease in one year
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An epidemic occurs when the rate of disease exceeds the usual (endemic) levels
for a specific population or region. It implies a sudden surge that requires immediate public
health intervention to control. Endemic refers to the baseline or persistent level of a
disease in a population. A pandemic is when that epidemic spreads across several countries
or globally. Understanding these terms is vital for nurses to accurately report and respond
to health trends.
8. In terms of screening test accuracy, what does ‘sensitivity’ refer to?
A. The ability of a test to correctly identify those who have the disease
B. The consistency of the test results when repeated
C. The ability of a test to correctly identify those without the disease
D. The ease with which the test can be administered in the field
Correct Answer: A
Health - WCU Updated and Latest Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationale
1. A community health nurse is studying the epidemiological triangle. Which of the following
factors should the nurse identify as an ‘agent’ factor?
A. Chemical toxins
B. Genetic predisposition
C. Climatic conditions
D. Human behavior
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The epidemiological triangle consists of the host, the agent, and the
environment. Agents are the factors that cause the disease or health problem, such as
bacteria, viruses, or chemical toxins. Genetic predisposition and human behavior are
considered host factors because they reside within the individual. Climatic conditions are
environmental factors that influence the exposure or susceptibility to the agent. Identifying
the specific agent is critical for implementing effective control measures in a population.
2. Which intervention should the nurse include when planning a primary prevention strategy
for a local community?
A. Providing skin cancer screenings at a health fair
B. Conducting physical therapy for stroke survivors
C. Leading a support group for individuals with diabetes
D. Teaching a class on the importance of vaccination to parents
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent the onset of disease or injury before it
occurs. Education about vaccinations is a classic example of primary prevention as it
reduces the risk of infection. Screenings represent secondary prevention because they
focus on early detection of existing conditions. Support groups and physical therapy are
tertiary prevention strategies focused on rehabilitation and preventing complications.
Community nurses prioritize primary prevention to lower the overall burden of disease
within a population.
3. A nurse is calculating the incidence rate of influenza in a local town. Which of the following
data points is necessary for this calculation?
A. The total number of existing cases in the population
B. The death rate associated with the current flu season
,C. The percentage of the population already immune to the virus
D. The number of new cases diagnosed within a specific timeframe
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The incidence rate measures the frequency of new cases of a disease occurring
in a population over a period. This differs from prevalence, which looks at the total number
of both new and existing cases. To calculate this, the nurse needs a defined population at
risk and the count of new occurrences. It provides insight into the spread of an acute
condition like influenza within a community. Tracking incidence is essential for identifying
outbreaks and evaluating the effectiveness of prevention programs.
4. A nurse is performing a secondary prevention activity. Which action best fits this category?
A. Advocating for better air quality legislation
B. Administering a TST (Tuberculin Skin Test) to school employees
C. Providing nutrition education to a patient with heart failure
D. Distributing condoms at a local college campus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Secondary prevention focuses on early identification and screening of diseases
to ensure prompt treatment. The Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) is a screening tool used to
detect latent tuberculosis infection. Legislation and condom distribution are primary
prevention measures because they aim to prevent initial exposure or onset. Nutrition
education for a patient who already has heart failure is a tertiary prevention effort.
Effective secondary prevention can significantly improve health outcomes by addressing
issues in their early stages.
5. What is the primary purpose of disease surveillance in community health nursing?
A. To monitor and analyze health data for trend identification
B. To provide direct clinical care to infected individuals
C. To punish individuals who do not comply with health mandates
D. To replace the need for community health assessments
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Disease surveillance involves the systematic collection, analysis, and
interpretation of health data. It is used to monitor the timing and geographic spread of
diseases to detect outbreaks early. This information allows health officials to plan,
implement, and evaluate public health practices effectively. Surveillance does not provide
individual clinical care but informs the broader public health strategy. Without accurate
surveillance data, community health trends would remain hidden, making resource
allocation difficult.
, 6. A nurse is using the ‘Web of Causality’ model to investigate a spike in childhood obesity.
Why is this model appropriate for this health issue?
A. It focuses solely on the biological agent causing the problem
B. It illustrates the complex interactions of multiple risk factors
C. It identifies a single, definitive cause for the health condition
D. It prioritizes environmental factors over individual behaviors
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Web of Causality model recognizes that most chronic health problems are
the result of multiple interacting factors. Childhood obesity is influenced by genetics, diet,
physical activity levels, socioeconomic status, and environmental access. Unlike the
epidemiological triangle which often looks for a specific agent, the web shows how these
variables interconnect. Using this model helps nurses develop multi-faceted interventions
that address several root causes simultaneously. It provides a more holistic view of
community health trends than simple linear models.
7. A community is experiencing an epidemic. Which description best defines this
phenomenon?
A. A constant presence of a disease within a specific geographic area
B. An unexpected increase in the number of disease cases in a specific area
C. The spread of a disease across multiple countries or continents
D. The total number of deaths caused by a disease in one year
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An epidemic occurs when the rate of disease exceeds the usual (endemic) levels
for a specific population or region. It implies a sudden surge that requires immediate public
health intervention to control. Endemic refers to the baseline or persistent level of a
disease in a population. A pandemic is when that epidemic spreads across several countries
or globally. Understanding these terms is vital for nurses to accurately report and respond
to health trends.
8. In terms of screening test accuracy, what does ‘sensitivity’ refer to?
A. The ability of a test to correctly identify those who have the disease
B. The consistency of the test results when repeated
C. The ability of a test to correctly identify those without the disease
D. The ease with which the test can be administered in the field
Correct Answer: A
