Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which element of surveillance involves the collection of data regarding deaths within a population?

1. Mortality registration

2. Epidemic field investigation

3. Laboratory reporting

4. Individual case investigation

The correct answer is: Mortality registration

Mortality registration is the critical element of surveillance that focuses on the systematic collection of data pertaining to deaths within a specific population. This process typically involves the compilation of information such as the causes of death, demographic details of the deceased (such as age and sex), and other vital statistics. This data is fundamental for public health officials to understand mortality trends, identify health risks, and develop strategies aimed at reducing preventable deaths. In this context, mortality registration serves a vital role in guiding health policies and interventions. It can help identify public health emergencies, evaluate the effectiveness of health programs, and inform community health needs assessments. Accurate mortality data is essential for public health planning and resource allocation, making it a cornerstone of effective public health surveillance. Other elements mentioned, such as epidemic field investigation, laboratory reporting, and individual case investigation, focus on specific outbreaks, disease identification, and single-case evaluations rather than the broader aspect of death data collection within the entire population. They play important roles in different contexts of disease monitoring and management but do not specifically address the mortality data collection aspect that is central to mortality registration.