Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which activity is most likely associated with formative program evaluation?

1. Conducting medical record audits

2. Making home visits before discharge

3. Participating in new client evaluations

4. Writing policies for risk management

The correct answer is: Conducting medical record audits

Formative program evaluation is primarily focused on assessing processes and improving program implementation as it occurs. It emphasizes collecting feedback during program development to guide adjustments and enhance effectiveness. Conducting medical record audits is typically a component of summative evaluation rather than formative evaluation. Medical record audits are retrospective analyses used to assess outcomes or compliance with standards after a program has been implemented. They do not directly contribute to modifying or improving a program in real-time. In contrast, making home visits before discharge involves engaging with clients and collecting immediate feedback about their experiences and outcomes, which supports a formative evaluation approach. By interacting with clients at this stage, practitioners can identify areas for improvement before the program concludes. Similarly, participating in new client evaluations allows for gathering data that can inform future practices and adjustments, aligning closely with formative evaluation goals. Writing policies for risk management, while important, tends to take place after evaluating current programs, focusing more on overall risk and compliance rather than real-time feedback for improvement. Thus, the correct responses reflect the principles of formative evaluation by focusing on ongoing assessment and improvement in program delivery.