Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

When conducting a community health assessment, public health nurses typically do what?

1. Define one problem for focus

2. Assess a social network in a defined territory

3. Minimize the effects of health risks

4. Intervene at the population-level through laws and regulations

The correct answer is: Assess a social network in a defined territory

When conducting a community health assessment, public health nurses focus on assessing a social network in a defined territory. This process involves gathering information about the community's demographics, health status, resources, and risk factors. By understanding the social networks within a community, public health nurses can identify how individuals and groups interact, which influences health behaviors and access to care. Assessing social networks helps in identifying community resources and support systems that can facilitate health promotion and disease prevention. It also enables the identification of gaps in services or areas where community members may be vulnerable. This comprehensive understanding is crucial for tailoring health interventions that are culturally relevant and effective for the specific population. In contrast, defining one problem for focus may limit the scope of the assessment and disregard the interplay of various health determinants within the community. Minimizing health risks is an important goal but comes after identifying and understanding the broader context of the community. Intervening at the population level through laws and regulations is a strategy for promoting public health but is typically a result of findings from a completed assessment rather than a direct component of the assessment itself.