NCAS Community Health Assessment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which tool is most commonly used in community health assessment to identify priority health needs of a population?
- Windshield survey (Correct answer)
- Individual patient interview
- Laboratory blood panel
- Medication reconciliation form
Correct answer: Windshield survey
A windshield survey allows nurses to observe community health determinants such as housing, resources, and environmental hazards by driving through the area.
Question 2: In the NCAS framework, which of the following best defines a community needs assessment?
- A process to identify gaps between current health status and desired health outcomes (Correct answer)
- A checklist completed by individual patients at clinic visits
- A billing audit for community health services
- A review of a single patient's chronic conditions
Correct answer: A process to identify gaps between current health status and desired health outcomes
A community needs assessment systematically identifies gaps between where the community is and where it should be in terms of health outcomes.
Question 3: Which data source provides the most objective information about mortality rates in a US community?
- Death certificates and vital statistics records (Correct answer)
- Community focus groups
- Patient satisfaction surveys
- Social media health posts
Correct answer: Death certificates and vital statistics records
Vital statistics records and death certificates are the authoritative, objective source for mortality data used in community health assessments.
Question 4: A community health nurse notices a high rate of childhood obesity in a low-income neighborhood. What is the FIRST step in addressing this?
- Conduct a comprehensive community assessment to identify contributing factors (Correct answer)
- Immediately implement a weight-loss intervention program
- Refer all obese children to a specialist
- Issue a community-wide diet directive
Correct answer: Conduct a comprehensive community assessment to identify contributing factors
The first step is always assessment — identifying root causes such as food deserts, lack of safe play spaces, or cultural dietary patterns before planning interventions.
Question 5: Which federal data system is a primary source for community health assessment in the United States?
- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) (Correct answer)
- Joint Commission Accreditation Database
- Hospital Incident Reporting System
- Medicare Claims Ledger
Correct answer: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
The BRFSS is a CDC-managed state-based phone survey system that provides state and local community health data for assessment purposes.
Question 6: During a community health assessment, a nurse identifies that 30% of residents lack health insurance. This finding is best classified as which type of community health determinant?
- Social determinant of health (Correct answer)
- Biological determinant
- Genetic risk factor
- Environmental toxin
Correct answer: Social determinant of health
Lack of health insurance is a social determinant of health, reflecting economic and policy conditions that affect access to care.
NCAS Community Health Assessment 1
Which tool is most commonly used in community health assessment to identify priority health needs of a population?