Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

What role does a public health nurse play with at-risk populations regarding health care resources?

1. Acting solely as a medical provider

2. Ensuring access to affordable quality health care

3. Conducting health education workshops

4. Providing psychological support

The correct answer is: Ensuring access to affordable quality health care

The role of a public health nurse with at-risk populations significantly revolves around the facilitation and assurance of access to affordable quality healthcare. This function is essential because at-risk populations often face numerous barriers to accessing necessary health services, including financial constraints, lack of transportation, educational deficits, and cultural barriers. By ensuring access, public health nurses implement strategies to connect individuals with appropriate healthcare resources, advocate for policies that improve healthcare availability, and work within the community to reduce health disparities. This may involve collaborating with healthcare providers, community organizations, and governmental agencies to facilitate services that cater to the unique needs of these populations. While conducting health education workshops, acting as a medical provider, and providing psychological support are all valuable components of public health nursing, they do not encapsulate the primary role of ensuring equitable access to healthcare. Effective public health nursing integrates these elements, but the foundational priority is to make healthcare resources accessible and affordable for those who need them most.