What is the primary purpose of health education?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: To empower individuals to make informed health decisions. Health education aims to provide individuals with knowledge and skills to make informed choices about their health. This empowers them to take control of their well-being and make healthier decisions. Choice B is incorrect because reducing healthcare costs is not the primary purpose of health education. Choice C is incorrect as providing health information is only a part of health education, not its primary purpose. Choice D is incorrect as the primary purpose of health education is not to comply with legal requirements but to promote health literacy and decision-making skills.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Tertiary prevention aims to reduce the impact of an already established disease by preventing complications and improving quality of life. Support groups for chronic illness fall under this category as they help individuals cope with the challenges of their condition, manage symptoms, and enhance overall well-being. Administering antibiotics (B) is a form of secondary prevention targeting early detection and treatment of infections. Teaching safe injection practices (C) falls under primary prevention by preventing the initial occurrence of infections. Conducting follow-up visits (D) is part of secondary prevention to monitor and manage existing conditions but does not specifically focus on reducing complications of established diseases like tertiary prevention does.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Resistance to behavior change. This is a common barrier to effective health education because individuals may be unwilling or hesitant to change their behaviors, even if they understand the importance of doing so. This resistance can stem from various factors such as fear of the unknown, lack of motivation, or ingrained habits. Health education aims to promote behavior change for better health outcomes, so overcoming resistance is crucial. A: Lack of funding for educational programs is not the most common barrier to effective health education, as there are often alternative sources of funding available. B: Cultural differences can pose challenges in health education, but they are not as universal or prevalent as resistance to behavior change. C: While complex medical terminology can hinder understanding, it is not as significant a barrier as resistance to behavior change, which impacts actual behavior modification.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Reduced incidence of chronic diseases. Successful health promotion aims to prevent diseases before they occur, leading to a decrease in the prevalence of chronic illnesses. This outcome is a direct result of promoting healthy behaviors and lifestyles. Increased health care costs (B) would not be an outcome of successful health promotion as prevention reduces the need for costly treatments. Improved patient compliance (C) and decreased use of emergency services (D) are potential positive outcomes but are not as directly linked to the primary goal of reducing chronic diseases through health promotion.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, monitoring air and water quality. This is essential for a community health nurse to assess environmental health risks because it directly evaluates potential hazards in the community. Monitoring air and water quality enables identification of pollutants that can impact the health of individuals living in the community. Collecting data on community health behaviors (A) focuses more on individual lifestyle choices rather than environmental risks. Conducting health screenings (B) is important for assessing individual health status, not environmental risks. Assessing workplaces for potential hazards (C) is crucial for occupational health but not directly related to community environmental health risks.