A community health nurse determined exactly how many cases of a particular disease were currently occurring in the community. Which action should the nurse take before determining what interventions should be planned?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: No conclusions can really be drawn from just knowing a number. Only by converting that count to a rate and then comparing the rate with the previous rate, or with the rate in the broader environment or a similar community nearby, can any conclusions be drawn as to whether there is a problem or intervention needed. Once the rate has been calculated, the nurse will be able to share the findings with leadership, determine the resources available to intervene if necessary, and determine if the disease is a priority.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Nutritional epidemiology studies the relationship between diet and health outcomes in populations. Choice A addresses the role of nutritional factors in disease causation (e.g., linking high fat intake to heart disease), a core focus. Choice B addresses how dietary changes can improve health (e.g., increasing fiber to reduce colon cancer risk), also a key area. Since both are accurate and central to the field, C is correct. D is incorrect as both A and B are valid.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs, D) establish causality by controlling confounding through randomization and intervention. Cohort (B) and case-control (C) studies suggest associations, while cross-sectional (A) studies assess prevalence, not causation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A control group (C) provides a baseline to compare outcomes, assessing exposure effects. A and B apply to trials, D is unrelated.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A risk factor (C) increases disease likelihood (e.g., smoking for lung cancer). A is causation, B reduces risk, D is intervention.