Community Health Nursing Practice Exam

Who is credited with advocating for nursing care improvements in impoverished communities?

1. Margaret Sanger

2. Mary Seacole

3. Lillian Wald

4. Florence Nightingale

The correct answer is: Lillian Wald

Lillian Wald is recognized for her significant contributions to nursing care improvements in impoverished communities. As a pioneer in public health nursing, she established the Henry Street Settlement in New York City, which served as a community center providing healthcare and social services to those in need. Wald's approach emphasized the importance of addressing not just immediate health concerns, but also the social determinants that affect health, such as poverty, education, and access to care. Through her advocacy and organized efforts, Wald sought to improve living conditions, enhance the delivery of healthcare services, and empower individuals within marginalized communities. She also played a vital role in developing nursing as a profession more focused on community health, laying the groundwork for future public health initiatives. The other individuals listed certainly had their own notable impacts in various aspects of health and nursing. For example, Florence Nightingale is celebrated for her role in founding modern nursing and emphasizing sanitation, Margaret Sanger was a key figure in advocating for women's reproductive rights, and Mary Seacole is renowned for her care of soldiers during the Crimean War. However, it was Wald's legacy in community health nursing specifically that solidified her role as an advocate for improvements in the healthcare of impoverished communities.