Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

What was the origin of the Intervention Wheel?

1. A panel of nurses from several states developed it

2. It was conceived by international nurses

3. A result of a qualitative analysis by State Boards of Nursing

4. It emerged from a grounded theory process by public health consultants in Minnesota

The correct answer is: It emerged from a grounded theory process by public health consultants in Minnesota

The origin of the Intervention Wheel is rooted in a grounded theory process developed by public health consultants in Minnesota. This innovative framework emerged as a way to understand and categorize the various interventions that public health nurses engage in while working with communities to promote health. Grounded theory emphasizes the development of theories based on empirical data, which in this case involved observing and analyzing public health practices and outcomes. The Intervention Wheel thus provides a visual representation of public health interventions, illustrating how they can be applied across different levels of practice—individuals, families, communities, and systems. By structuring the vast array of nursing actions into a coherent model, it allows practitioners to understand the scope and impact of their work within the field of public health. The rich input from public health consultants in crafting this model ensures that it reflects practical, real-world applications that resonate with the challenges and needs faced by public health nursing.