Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

What distinguishes multilateral organizations from others?

1. They control the spread of disease

2. They receive funding from multiple sources

3. They provide food to the starving

4. They primarily use nurses as their main source of information

The correct answer is: They receive funding from multiple sources

Multilateral organizations are distinguished by their funding structures, as they receive financial support from multiple sources, which can include governments, private sectors, and international institutions. This diverse funding base allows them to undertake global initiatives and cooperate on various issues, such as health, development, and humanitarian responses. Because these organizations often address issues that cross national borders, their funding model reflects the collaborative nature of their work. In contrast, while controlling the spread of disease, providing food aid, and utilizing nurses for information may be activities undertaken by various organizations, these actions do not specifically define what makes an organization multilateral. The emphasis is on how multilateral organizations pool resources from various contributors to achieve their goals, rather than the specific services or outputs they provide.