Which statement best describes the focus of community health nursing?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Improving the overall health of the community. Community health nursing focuses on promoting and protecting the health of the entire community through various interventions and programs. This includes implementing population-based strategies to address public health issues, prevent diseases, and improve health outcomes at a community level. By focusing on improving the overall health of the community, community health nurses work towards enhancing the well-being of all community members. Incorrect choices: A: Providing care to individuals and families within the community - While community health nurses do provide care to individuals and families, the primary focus is on the health of the entire community. C: Ensuring access to health care for all community members - While access to healthcare is important, it is not the sole focus of community health nursing. D: Addressing the social determinants of health - While addressing social determinants of health is a crucial aspect of community health nursing, the primary focus is on improving the overall health of the community.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent the occurrence of a disease before it occurs. Administering immunizations is a direct way to prevent the onset of infectious diseases, making it a clear example of primary prevention. Immunizations boost immunity and reduce the risk of contracting specific diseases. Providing treatment for diseases (choice B) occurs after the disease has already developed, making it a secondary prevention strategy. Educating about healthy lifestyles (choice C) and conducting health screenings (choice D) are important but fall under health promotion and early detection (secondary prevention) rather than primary prevention.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Socioeconomic status. Socioeconomic status influences access to healthcare, environmental quality, and genetic predisposition. Low socioeconomic status is linked to poorer health outcomes due to limited access to healthcare services, exposure to environmental hazards, and unhealthy lifestyle factors. It also impacts education, employment, and social support, all of which are crucial for community health. Access to healthcare services (A) is important but is influenced by socioeconomic status. Environmental quality (C) and genetic predisposition (D) play a role, but socioeconomic status has a broader impact on overall community health.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: To achieve health equity and eliminate health disparities. This is the goal of Healthy People 2020 as it aims to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their highest level of health. Health equity involves providing opportunities for all individuals to reach their full health potential, regardless of their social or economic status. By eliminating health disparities, the goal is to address the root causes of health inequities and promote fairness in health outcomes. Choice A is incorrect as it focuses solely on improving the quality and years of healthy life without addressing disparities. Choice B is incorrect as it specifically mentions reducing health disparities but does not mention achieving health equity. Choice C is incorrect as it emphasizes promoting healthy behaviors but does not encompass the broader goal of health equity and eliminating disparities.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because advocating for health policy changes is a key role of community health nurses in promoting health at a population level. They work to influence policies that address social determinants of health and improve overall community well-being. Providing direct care (B) is more aligned with clinical nursing roles. Educating the community (C) is important but not the primary role of a community health nurse. Conducting research (D) may inform practice but is not the primary function of promoting health in the community.