What is a core competency required of public health nurses (PHNs)?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because public health nurses (PHNs) need skills in policy development and program planning to address population health issues effectively. PHNs work on a larger scale to improve health outcomes in communities through strategic planning and implementation. This competency enables them to create sustainable interventions and advocate for systemic changes. Choice A is incorrect because while some knowledge of high-technology diagnostics may be helpful, it is not a core competency for PHNs. Choice B is incorrect as life-support technology is more relevant to acute care settings, not public health. Choice C is incorrect because PHNs focus on preventive care and health promotion rather than critical care assessment.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Primary prevention. This activity is aimed at preventing drug abuse before it occurs by educating junior high-school students through role models. Primary prevention focuses on preventing the onset of a health issue, in this case, drug abuse. High-school role models provide positive influence and guidance to deter drug use. Secondary prevention involves early detection and intervention after the onset of a problem, while tertiary prevention aims to minimize the impact of an established health issue. Therefore, the activity described falls under primary prevention as it targets the prevention of drug abuse among junior high-school students before it becomes a problem.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: The client. In this scenario, the client is the host of the communicable disease as they are the source of the infection. The nurses contracted the disease from the client, making the client the primary host. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Each sick nurse - The sick nurses are not the host but rather the secondary hosts who contracted the disease from the primary host (the client). B: The communicable disease - The disease is the agent causing the infection, not the host. C: The hospital - The hospital is the environment where the transmission occurred but is not the host responsible for the disease.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because case management is focused on providing individualized care coordination and support to specific clients to help them navigate the healthcare system effectively. This distinguishes it from managed care, which is more about organizing and financing healthcare services for a broader population. Choices A and D are incorrect because case management is not limited to health maintenance organizations or monitoring health status for an aggregate. Choice B is incorrect because case management can be aimed at various populations, not just a specific segment.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: The determinants of health. This is the appropriate starting point for applying a population health approach because it focuses on the underlying factors influencing health outcomes at a population level. By addressing social, economic, environmental, and behavioral determinants, interventions can be targeted effectively to improve overall health outcomes. Choice A (Emergency life-saving care) is not the best starting point for a population health approach as it addresses immediate, individual-level health needs rather than the broader population. Choice C (Health promotion models) is important but typically comes after understanding the determinants of health. Choice D (Risk management) is relevant but focuses more on individual risk factors rather than the broader population perspective.