Community Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which statement indicates that a class understands the role of community health nurses?

1. Use a reactive approach.

2. Seek out potential health problems.

3. Concentrate on the illness end of the continuum.

4. Emphasize curative care.

The correct answer is: Seek out potential health problems.

The statement that a class understands the role of community health nurses is that they seek out potential health problems. Community health nursing emphasizes a proactive and preventative approach to healthcare. This role is centered around identifying and addressing health issues before they escalate into more significant problems, thereby improving population health outcomes. Community health nurses engage in surveillance and assessment of community health needs, utilizing data and epidemiological principles to forecast health trends and risk factors. By identifying potential health problems early, they can implement interventions that promote health, prevent disease, and support health education, which are crucial components of their role. In contrast, other approaches—like using a reactive approach, concentrating on the illness end of the continuum, and emphasizing curative care—do not align with the foundational principles of community health nursing, which prioritizes prevention, wellness, and empowering communities to manage their health proactively.