Community Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which statement best describes causality?

1. Causality is the relationship between cause and effect.

2. The chain of causation is the most recent theory of causality.

3. The web of causation theory is the most recent theory of causality.

4. The chain of causation clearly explains causation in noninfectious disease.

The correct answer is: Causality is the relationship between cause and effect.

The statement that causality is the relationship between cause and effect accurately captures the fundamental concept of causality in various fields, including community health nursing. Understanding causality involves recognizing that certain events (causes) bring about other events (effects). This principle is essential in health care, especially when analyzing how various factors can lead to health outcomes, guiding effective interventions and health promotion strategies. Causality is especially significant in public health because it helps practitioners identify risk factors and implement measures to prevent diseases. This involves exploring not just direct causes but also the multifaceted nature of health issues, which can involve social, environmental, and biological factors. The other concepts, such as the chain of causation and the web of causation, refer to specific models that illustrate the complexity of causative factors in health. However, defining causality broadly encompasses various theories and approaches beyond just a singular focus on these models, making the first statement the most accurate in describing the general principle of causality.