ATI RN
Epidemiology Test Questions and Answers PDF Questions
Question 1 of 5
A public health nurse found that out of the 70 people who ate the potato salad at a school picnic, 63 developed symptoms of food poisoning. Which of the following best describes the attack rate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The attack rate is the proportion of people exposed to a specific factor who develop a particular health outcome. In this case, the attack rate is calculated by dividing the number of people who developed symptoms (63) by the total number of people who ate the potato salad (70) and multiplying by 100. This gives us an attack rate of 90% (63/70 x 100 = 90%). This means that 90% of the people who ate the potato salad developed food poisoning symptoms. Summary of incorrect choices: A: 63% - This is the proportion of people who developed symptoms out of the total number of people who ate the potato salad, not the attack rate. B: 70% - This is the total number of people who ate the potato salad, not the attack rate. D: 100% - This would imply that everyone who ate the potato salad developed symptoms, which is not the case based on the given information.
Question 2 of 5
A woman is sitting in a corner of the clinical waiting room, crying audibly. The nurse asks, “What’s wrong? Can I help?†The woman responds, “They just told me I have a positive mammogram and I need to see my doctor for follow-up tests. I know I’m going to die of cancer. How can I tell my family?†Which of the following information does the nurse need to know in order to help the woman cope with this finding?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The positive predictive value of mammography. The nurse needs to know the probability that a positive mammogram result truly indicates the presence of cancer in this specific woman. Understanding the positive predictive value will help the nurse provide accurate information and emotional support to the woman. Choice A (negative predictive value) is not relevant as the woman has a positive result. Choice C (reliability) and D (validity) are important but do not address the specific concern of the woman about the likelihood of having cancer based on a positive result.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse reports that in comparison to all the children in a particular school, the children who
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Encourage the parents to enroll their sons in Cub Scouts. The nurse should recommend this because Cub Scouts can provide a positive and enriching experience for the boys in terms of social skills, character development, and physical activities. It is relevant to the children's overall well-being and can contribute to their growth and development. Option A is incorrect as it does not address the benefits of joining Cub Scouts. Option B is incorrect as it discourages enrollment without considering the potential positive impact. Option C is incorrect as it dismisses the relevance of Cub Scouts without considering its potential benefits for the children.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is investigating a bacterial illness that has caused a health problem in the community. Only some of the people exposed to the bacteria have become ill. Which of the following factors best explains why this would have happened?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Host factors. Host factors refer to individual characteristics that influence susceptibility to an infection. In this case, some people exposed to the bacteria may have stronger immune systems or other genetic predispositions that make them more resistant to the illness. This explains why only some individuals become ill despite exposure. A: Chemical agent factors are not relevant in this scenario as the question focuses on the individual's response to the bacteria rather than specific chemicals involved. B: Environmental factors may play a role in the spread of the bacteria but do not explain why only some individuals become ill. D: Physical agent factors typically refer to physical forces causing injury, which are not directly applicable to a bacterial illness scenario.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse believes a new mouth care procedure (MCP) is causing more mouth problems than it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (B): A plausible explanation of how the new MCP could cause harm is crucial for the nurse to confidently present concerns to administration. Without understanding how the MCP could be causing issues, it would be challenging to convince administration of the need for changes. This step ensures that the nurse has a solid basis for their argument and can clearly articulate the potential risks associated with the new procedure. Summary of Incorrect Choices: A: While having specific criteria present can strengthen the case, it is not the primary factor for determining if the MCP is causing problems. C: Relying solely on personal feelings or intuition is not sufficient evidence to support the claim that the MCP is causing harm. D: Observing consistent mouth inflammation is important but does not provide a clear causal relationship between the MCP and the issues, lacking the necessary explanation of how harm is being caused.