Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

What is one advantage of using health-risk appraisal instruments?

1. They are suitable for all age-groups

2. They accurately reflect an individual’s ability to initiate lifestyle changes

3. They provide support to nurses in counseling about self-care behaviors

4. They emphasize environmental factors

The correct answer is: They provide support to nurses in counseling about self-care behaviors

The selection of health-risk appraisal instruments is indeed valuable because they provide support to nurses in counseling about self-care behaviors. These instruments typically assess various health-related factors, enabling nurses to identify risks and tailor their counseling strategies accordingly. By utilizing data from these assessments, nurses can engage clients in meaningful discussions about their lifestyle choices, help set realistic health goals, and offer personalized recommendations that promote self-care practices. This structured support enhances the nurse-client relationship, encourages active participation in health management, and ultimately contributes to better health outcomes. The other options may not offer the same level of targeted support. While health-risk appraisal tools can potentially be adapted for different age groups, they may not fit all populations equally well due to varying health needs and understanding. Although these instruments can indicate trends about individuals' readiness to change, they do not always provide a clear measure of one's ability to initiate such changes independently. Environmental factors can certainly play a role in health but may not be the primary focus of health-risk assessments, which often center on individual behaviors and risks rather than broader contextual issues.