Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

When a nurse reads the local community newspaper, what data gathering method is being used?

1. Informant interview

2. Survey

3. Participant observation

4. Windshield survey

The correct answer is: Participant observation

The correct answer is participant observation. When a nurse reads the local community newspaper, they are engaging in a method that allows for the passive collection of data regarding community events, concerns, public health issues, and local sentiments. This form of data gathering falls under participant observation, as the nurse is observing and gaining insight into the community's dynamics through its media, without directly interacting with individuals. Participant observation involves immersing oneself in a community's environment to gather information, and reading a local newspaper serves this purpose by providing a perspective on community priorities and issues without requiring active engagement with the community members. Informant interviews would involve direct, personal discussions with key individuals in the community to gain insights, which is not the case when simply reading a publication. A survey requires the collection of data through structured questions posed to a population, which also differs from the context of reading a newspaper. A windshield survey refers to a visual assessment of the community from a vehicle, focusing on the physical environment rather than the informational content offered through local media. Thus, the act of reading a community newspaper exemplifies participant observation as a method of data gathering.