Which action by the nurse represents a midstream approach to improving population health outcomes?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Providing a workplace lunchtime walking program represents a midstream approach as it targets a specific population (workplace) and focuses on promoting physical activity, which can lead to improved health outcomes. This approach addresses the root cause of health issues by encouraging behavior change within a defined group. Advocating for policy changes (A) is an upstream approach, while encouraging an individual to lose weight (C) and starting a support group for smoking cessation (D) are downstream approaches that target individuals rather than a population as a whole.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: A long-term care facility. For a client with health care needs related to a chronic condition, a long-term care facility would be the most appropriate along the health care continuum as it provides continuous care and support for individuals with chronic conditions. The services offered at a long-term care facility are tailored to meet the complex and ongoing needs of individuals with chronic conditions, ensuring they receive specialized care, rehabilitation, and support. Preventive health programs (choice A) focus on promoting health and preventing diseases before they occur, which is not the primary need for someone with a chronic condition. Ambulatory care clinics (choice B) are outpatient facilities that provide medical services but may not offer the comprehensive care required for managing a chronic condition long-term. Acute care departments (choice C) are designed for immediate and critical care needs, rather than the ongoing management required for chronic conditions.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because recommending policies to prevent health problems is a key role of nurses in public health. Nurses play a crucial role in advocating for policies that promote health and prevent diseases at a population level. This action aligns with the core principles of public health, focusing on prevention and improving the health of communities as a whole. A, improving individual outcomes, is important but not specific to public health nursing. B, addressing racism in a community, is a social justice issue and not a direct role of a nurse in public health. C, performing a family assessment, is more related to individual or family-centered care rather than population health.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Health trends of a community. 1. Assessment in public health involves collecting and analyzing data on the health status of populations. 2. Monitoring health trends of a community helps the nurse identify health issues, plan interventions, and evaluate outcomes. 3. Blood pressure readings in an individual (A) are more focused on clinical care rather than community health assessment. 4. Social supports of a family (C) pertain to individual and family support systems, not community health trends. 5. Immunization records of elementary school children (D) are important but are more related to the core function of assurance rather than assessment in public health.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Tertiary prevention involves minimizing the negative impact of health conditions. This is achieved by managing and treating existing health problems to prevent further complications or disabilities. In contrast, option A relates to avoiding unnecessary medical interventions, option B focuses on primary prevention by addressing risk factors before health issues arise, and option D pertains to preventing adverse health outcomes before they happen. By choosing option C, the community health nurse is directly involved in providing care and interventions to improve the quality of life and reduce the consequences of existing health conditions.