Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which of the following statements about community health nursing is true?

1. It is mainly based in hospital settings

2. It focuses on individual treatment rather than community health

3. It emphasizes autonomy and problem-solving in practice

4. It relies heavily on medical technology

The correct answer is: It emphasizes autonomy and problem-solving in practice

The statement that community health nursing emphasizes autonomy and problem-solving in practice is correct because community health nursing focuses on empowering individuals and communities to take charge of their health. This approach recognizes the importance of self-management and encourages nurses to work collaboratively with community members. By fostering autonomy, community health nurses help individuals develop the skills necessary to address their health challenges, make informed decisions, and find solutions that are tailored to their unique circumstances. The practice of community health nursing often involves assessing the needs of the community, promoting health education, and facilitating access to resources. This problem-solving aspect is critical because it allows nurses to address the various determinants of health that affect populations, rather than simply treating individual cases in isolation. Community health nursing aims to prevent health issues through interventions that improve overall community well-being, which is distinct from focusing on individual treatments or relying heavily on medical technology. In this respect, the emphasis on autonomy and a problem-solving approach differentiates community health nursing from more traditional healthcare practices that may prioritize acute care settings or technological interventions.