Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

After identifying the boundaries of a community, what should the nurse do next in the community assessment?

1. Gather relevant existing data and generate missing data

2. Plan interventions that benefit the entire community

3. Formulate nursing diagnoses

4. Evaluate the interventions that were used

The correct answer is: Gather relevant existing data and generate missing data

The next logical step in the community assessment process after identifying the boundaries of a community is to gather relevant existing data and generate any missing data. This is crucial because a comprehensive understanding of the community's health needs, resources, and challenges is necessary to inform future nursing actions and interventions. Collecting existing data involves reviewing available information about the community's demographics, health statistics, social determinants of health, and existing health services. This can include quantitative data such as rates of disease, access to healthcare, and epidemiological trends, as well as qualitative data like resident perceptions of health and wellbeing. Generating missing data entails identifying gaps in knowledge about the community’s health status, needs, and assets. This may involve conducting surveys, interviews, focus groups, or using observational methods to gather additional insights directly from community members. Collecting thorough and reliable data is critical for establishing a foundation on which effective interventions can be planned and implemented. By prioritizing data collection in this manner, the nurse can ensure that subsequent steps in the assessment process—such as planning interventions or formulating nursing diagnoses—are based on solid evidence tailored to the specific needs and strengths of the community.