ATI RN
Epidemiology Test Questions and Answers PDF Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which disease does the elementary school nurse identify as being spread via airborne transmission?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Measles. Measles is spread through airborne transmission via respiratory droplets. The virus is highly contagious and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area. Measles outbreaks often occur in crowded places like schools. Influenza (B) is also spread through respiratory droplets, but measles is more commonly known for airborne transmission. Pertussis (C) is spread through respiratory droplets but is not primarily airborne. Pneumonia (D) is not a communicable disease spread through the air.
Question 2 of 5
Which is a fairly recent surprise regarding infectious diseases in the United States?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Recent scientific discoveries on the infectious etiology of stomach ulcers, coronary artery disease, and cervical cancer, for example, suggest that infectious agents may be responsible for more morbidity and mortality than previously recognized. Mortality caused by infectious diseases has decreased. Endemic refers to a disease that is regularly found among people in a certain area. In our society today, there are no endemic infectious diseases. Advances in public health and health care have made it easier to control infectious diseases such as H1N1 flu.
Question 3 of 5
A community health clinic put a tax levy on the ballot. An angry man asks a nurse, 'How can you ask me to pay taxes to buy immunizations for parents who do not want to pay for their kids to get their shots?' Which is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Herd immunity is a state in which those not immune to an infectious agent will be protected if a certain proportion (generally considered to be $80 \%$ ) of the population has been vaccinated or is otherwise immune. If most persons are immune, it will be difficult for an infectious disease to spread.
Question 4 of 5
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.
Question 5 of 5
Which is the most effective way to determine if Healthy People 2020 is improving the health of Americans?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Effectiveness of Healthy People 2020 depends on the availability of reliable baseline and continuing data to characterize health problems and evaluate goal achievement. Surveillance is crucial. Without surveillance data, there is no relatable data available. Increased financing will not assist in determining if the health of Americans is improving. Although it is important for individuals to be willing to share health information so that data collection can be completed, individual health information alone will not be an effective determinant of the health of Americans.