Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Providing essential health services to those unable to access care falls under which core public health function?

1. Assessment

2. Assurance

3. Prevention

4. Policy development

The correct answer is: Assurance

Providing essential health services to those unable to access care is fundamentally linked to the assurance function of public health. Assurance involves ensuring that services are provided to those who need them and that the necessary health systems are in place to deliver these services effectively. This includes the responsibility of public health agencies to facilitate access to care, particularly for vulnerable populations who may face barriers such as lack of transportation, financial constraints, or geographical isolation. In this context, assurance not only emphasizes the importance of health services accessibility but also incorporates monitoring and evaluation of health programs to ensure they meet the community's needs. It involves collaboration with various sectors and stakeholders to create a robust health delivery system that supports equitable access to health services. By contrast, the assessment function focuses more on the systematic collection and analysis of health data to understand community health issues. Prevention encompasses interventions designed to mitigate health risks before they lead to disease or injury. Policy development is about creating laws and regulations that promote health and prevent disease but does not directly involve the delivery of health services.