Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

A nurse identifies individuals with unrecognized health risks. What intervention is she using?

1. Screening

2. Referral and follow-up

3. Surveillance

4. Health teaching

The correct answer is: Screening

The intervention described is screening, which is a key public health nursing practice used to identify individuals who may be at risk for certain health conditions but are unaware of these risks. Screening involves systematic examination or testing that helps to detect diseases or conditions at an early stage when they are more treatable, thereby promoting early intervention and potentially improving health outcomes for these individuals. By focusing on unrecognized health risks, the nurse is actively engaging in a proactive approach to health care. This practice not only helps in identifying risk factors related to lifestyle, genetics, and environment but also enables the provision of necessary follow-up services, education, and resources to those who may need them. Screening is essential in public health as it helps to reduce the prevalence and impact of diseases within communities, contributing to overall public health improvement. Other options such as referral and follow-up involve directing individuals to appropriate services after risks have been identified, surveillance focuses on monitoring the occurrence of diseases within a population, and health teaching pertains to educating individuals on disease prevention and health promotion. While all are vital components of public health, they do not specifically address the act of identifying individuals with unrecognized health risks like screening does.