Deck 6: Epidemiology: the Science of Prevention

Question 1

The nursing student is preparing a presentation for a class project which is designed to compare the leading causes of death in the United States for the past 200 years. Which cause should the student point out was a leading cause in 1900?

A) Major cardiovascular--renal disease
B) Influenza and pneumonia
C) Tuberculosis
D) Gastritis, duodenitis, enteritis, and colitis

Answer 1

Major cardiovascular--renal disease

Question 2

The nursing assistant instructor has completed a session exploring the various facts of pulmonary tuberculosis. The instructor will determine the class is successful after the students correctly choose which individual is given credit for initially providing details about the disease?

A) Hippocrates of Cos
B) Aretaeus the Cappadocian
C) Claudius Galen
D) Susruta

Answer 2

Aretaeus the Cappadocian

Question 3

A couple of nursing students are creating a poster depicting the history of epidemiology. Which individual should the students point out is created for being the first epidemiologist?

A) Hippocrates of Cos
B) Aretaeus the Cappadocian
C) Claudius Galen
D) Susruta

Answer 3

Hippocrates of Cos

Question 4

The nursing student is examining a table which compares the nursing process to the epidemiologic process. Which activity will the student discover is similar to the diagnostic phase of the nursing process?

A) Data are gathered from reliable sources
B) Healthcare needs and assets are identified
C) Goals and objectives for care are established
D) A tentative hypothesis is formulated

Question 5

A nursing student is creating a poster which will depict the various contributors to epidemiology. Which individual should the student point out is credited for the founding of modern statistics?

A) William Farr
B) John Graunt
C) Florence Nightingale
D) John Snow

Question 6

A group of nursing students are comparing the various changes in the morbidity and mortality data for the past 150 years. Which change should stand out in the morbidity and mortality rates from 1900 to the present?

A) Infectious diseases have increased
B) Unintentional injuries have decreased
C) Chronic degenerative conditions have decreased
D) Noninfectious diseases have increased

Question 7

The early attempts to investigate illness and disease focused on the study of the experiences of individual people. Using this concept, which definition should be prioritized to explain epidemiology?

A) An outbreak that occurs when there is an increased incidence of a disease beyond that which is normally found in the population
B) Model based on the belief that health status is determined by the interaction of the characteristics of the host, agent, and environment
C) Study of the distribution and determinants of states of health and illness in human populations
D) Epidemiologic model that strongly emphasizes the concept of multiple causation while de-emphasizing the role of agents in explaining illness

Question 8

The nurse is analyzing an epidemiologic study conducted on the occurrence of Zika virus cases in his state. While evaluating the information, which option is the best interpretation of "rate"?

A) Course of a disease or condition from the onset to resolution
B) Primary measurement used to describe either the occurrence or the existence of a specific state of health or illness
C) Probability or likelihood that a disease or illness will occur in a group of people who presently do not have the problem
D) Characteristic or event that has been shown to increase the probability that a specific disease or illness will develop

Question 9

A couple of nursing students are reviewing the history of epidemiology. Which individual should the students be able to point out established the method which is used today to develop vital statistics?

A) William Farr
B) John Graunt
C) Florence Nightingale
D) John Snow

Question 10

The cholera epidemic in the early 1850s provided the opportunity for an early epidemiologist to collect useful information which has influenced methods used today. Which individual is given credit for performing this early epidemiologic research?

A) William Farr
B) John Graunt
C) Florence Nightingale
D) John Snow

Question 11

In researching cases of West Nile virus in the community, the nurse explores how the interactions among people infected with this virus, mosquitoes, and the environment they share contribute to outbreaks of this disease. Which epidemiologic model is the nurse prioritizing in this case?

A) Epidemiologic triad
B) Wheel of causation
C) Web of causation
D) Natural history

Question 12

The nurse explores all of the possible factors that contribute to coronary artery disease in the community as links in multiple interrelated chains. Which epidemiologic models is the nurse utilizing in this case?

A) Epidemiologic triad
B) Wheel of causation
C) Web of causation
D) Natural history

Question 13

The community health nurse addresses an outbreak of viral spinal meningitis in the community. Referring to Leavell and Clark's natural history of disease model, which example of tertiary prevention might the nurse consider in this situation?

A) Initiate vaccinations for all people who have not yet been infected.
B) Familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of the disease so that you can provide early diagnosis and treatment of it.
C) Encourage any who think they might have symptoms of the disease to come to the community health clinic to be assessed as soon as possible, to prevent associated disabilities.
D) Refer clients who have experienced neurologic deficits because of the disease to a neurologist to begin rehabilitation.

Question 14

A nursing instructor is comparing the nursing process to the epidemiologic process to a group of nursing students. Which action should the instructor point out as similar to the implementation phase of the nursing process?

A) Data are gathered from reliable sources
B) Actions are initiated to carry out the plan
C) Actions are evaluated, and report prepared
D) Further research is conducted if necessary

Question 15

The nurse is appraising new epidemiologic research concerning the reported cases of measles over the past 5 years. Which is the best explanation for the nurse to apply to "risk factor" when analyzing this research?

A) Course of a disease or condition from the onset to resolution
B) Primary measurement used to describe either the occurrence or the existence of a specific state of health or illness
C) Probability or likelihood that a disease or illness will occur in a group of people who presently do not have the problem
D) Characteristic or event that has been shown to increase the probability that a specific disease or illness will develop

Question 16

A nursing student is preparing an oral report to be presented to a class portraying the various facts of the natural history of disease. In which order should the student present the three stages in this presentation?

A) Pathologic onset, manifestation of clinical disease, presymptomatic
B) Presymptomatic, pathologic onset, manifestation of clinical disease
C) Pathologic onset, presymptomatic, manifestation of clinical disease
D) Manifestation of clinical disease, presymptomatic, pathologic onset

Question 17

The nurse has been requested to investigate the outbreak of H1N1 in the community. In documenting the outbreak, which should the nurse prioritize in its description? Select all that apply.

A) The names of all people who have been infected by the virus
B) The geographical area within which the outbreak has occurred
C) A brief history of all of the other viral outbreaks that have occurred in the community in recent years
D) The time of onset and duration of the outbreak
E) The anticipated economic impact of the outbreak on the community

Question 18

In researching an outbreak of malaria in the developing nation where the nurse currently works, the nurse decides not to focus on the role of mosquitoes in transmitting the disease but on how the physical environment of the community, biologic aspects of the community, and social customs interact to affect the prevalence of this disease. Which epidemiologic model is the nurse utilizing?

A) Epidemiologic triad
B) Wheel of causation
C) Web of causation
D) Natural history

Question 19

The nurse is in charge of the flu vaccination program in the community. Which actions should the nurse employ when planning and evaluating this program? Select all that apply.

A) Measure epidemiologic statistics before and after administering the flu shots
B) Plan and evaluate influenza vaccinations regularly
C) Interview clients regarding their perception of the effectiveness of the vaccinations and use these data in planning future vaccinations
D) As new data regarding influenza vaccinations become available, modify the intervention accordingly
E) Evaluate the success of your program by comparing its results with those in other communities

Question 20

An exhibit displaying the history of epidemiology highlights the various individuals who are credited with the evolution of the epidemiologic field of study. Whose portrait will be highlighted for using statistics to improve public health in England?

A) William Farr
B) John Graunt
C) Florence Nightingale
D) John Snow

Question 21

The nurse has heard rumors in the hospital of an Ebola outbreak in the community and decides to investigate it further. Which steps should the nurse prioritize when beginning this investigation?

A) Identify the names of the people infected by the virus
B) Formulate and test hypotheses as to the most probable causative factors
C) Implement a plan for control of the outbreak
D) Establish the existence of the outbreak