Which of the following is a function of a population health nurse?

Choice A Reason:
a) Assess the community: This is the first step in addressing community health needs. It involves gathering data about the community's health status, resources, and needs. This can be done through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and public forums. The assessment helps to identify the health problems and needs of the community, which is essential for planning effective interventions.

Choice B Reason:
b) Analyze the findings and identify the needs: After collecting data, the next step is to analyze it to identify the community's health needs. This involves looking at the data to find patterns and trends that indicate health problems. By identifying these needs, the nurse can prioritize which issues to address first. This step is crucial for developing a targeted and effective health plan.

Choice C Reason:
c) Decide on educational theories to use: This step is not directly related to the initial assessment and planning process. Deciding on educational theories is more relevant when planning specific health education interventions. While important, it is not a primary step in assessing and addressing community health needs.

Choice D Reason:
d) Use measurable indicators to evaluate the plan: Using measurable indicators is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of the health plan. These indicators help to track progress and determine whether the interventions are achieving the desired outcomes. This step ensures that the health plan is effective and allows for adjustments to be made if necessary.

Choice E Reason:
e) Collaborate with the residents of the community on what interventions will work for that community and prioritize them: Collaboration with the community is vital for the success of any health intervention. By involving community members in the planning process, the nurse can ensure that the interventions are culturally appropriate and accepted by the community. This collaboration also helps to prioritize the interventions based on the community's needs and preferences.

Choice A: Crime Statistics
Crime statistics are an example of secondary data. Secondary data refers to information that has been collected by someone else for a different purpose but is being utilized by the nurse for community assessment. Crime statistics are typically gathered by law enforcement agencies and other governmental bodies and can provide valuable insights into the safety and social environment of a community.

Choice B: Direct Observation
Direct observation is a method of collecting primary data. Primary data is gathered firsthand by the researcher through direct methods such as surveys, interviews, or observations. In this case, the nurse would be directly observing the community to gather information, making it a primary data collection method.

Choice C: Community Informant Interviews
Community informant interviews are another example of primary data collection. These interviews involve speaking directly with community members or key informants to gather firsthand information about the community's health needs, resources, and concerns. This method provides qualitative data that can be used to understand the community's perspective.

Choice D: Windshield Survey
A windshield survey is a primary data collection method where the nurse drives through the community to observe various aspects such as housing conditions, availability of services, and general environmental conditions. This type of survey provides firsthand observational data about the community.