Defining Health & Nursing Roles
A patient with chronic illness expresses frustration that they no longer feel “healthy.” How would you explain the modern concept of health to help reframe their perspective?
What is explaining that health is a dynamic state of well-being, not just the absence of disease, including physical, emotional, and social wellness?
A mother brings her child in for routine immunizations. Which level of prevention does this represent, and why?
What is primary prevention, because it aims to stop disease before it begins?
A nurse creates a school-based program to reduce teen tobacco use. This action aligns with which national health initiative?
What is the Healthy People Initiative, which sets national goals including Leading Health Indicators like tobacco use?
A patient with poorly managed diabetes is hospitalized for complications. What short-term costs does this represent?
What is increased emergency care costs, missed work, and resource use due to preventable conditions?
A patient asks about breathing techniques to manage anxiety. What kind of therapy would you suggest?
What is a mind-body technique like deep breathing or mindfulness?
You notice a nursing student constantly skipping breaks and staying late to finish work. Based on the concept of holism, what advice might you offer?
What is encouraging self-care to maintain emotional and physical health, as holistic care includes care for self in order to care for others?
Holism considers the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—focusing on individualized care and long-term wellness.
A patient is scheduled for a mammogram. Explain how this supports prevention in nursing practice.
What is secondary prevention, as it focuses on early detection and prompt treatment of disease?
What are Leading Health Indicators (LHIs)? Name two.
Key health priorities—examples: tobacco use, obesity, food insecurity.
A community invests in free fitness classes. What long-term healthcare system savings might result?
What is reduced chronic disease rates, fewer hospital admissions, and lower overall healthcare spending?
Your patient recovering from surgery struggles with pain despite medication. What complementary therapy might support recovery?
What is guided imagery or meditation to reduce pain perception and promote relaxation?
A patient asks why they need health promotion education when they feel fine. How do you respond using nursing principles?
What is explaining that health promotion empowers patients to prevent illness and optimize long-term wellness?
A patient recovering from a stroke is receiving physical therapy. How does this relate to levels of prevention?
What is tertiary prevention, which minimizes complications and supports functional recovery?
A patient asks why nurses care about government health goals. How would you explain the relevance of Healthy People to nursing practice?
What is showing that Healthy People guides nurses in setting care priorities and targeting population health improvements?
What are the social determinants of health? Give an example.
SDOH are important because they can significantly impact a person's health outcomes, such as life expectancy, chronic disease rates, and mental health.Addressing SDOH through policies and interventions can help promote health equity and improve the overall health
The social factors that influence health include conditions like income, education, and housing—for example, living in a food desert affects nutrition.
A nurse begins teaching mindfulness during group sessions. What benefit might patients experience?
What is improved emotional regulation, stress reduction, and enhanced coping?
During orientation, a new nurse asks about how the profession has changed over time. What example would best demonstrate the shift toward wellness?
What is highlighting the expanded nursing role in preventive care, education, and promoting healthy behaviors rather than only treating disease?
A patient is hesitant to begin hypertension treatment despite understanding the risks. Which model can help you explore their beliefs and barriers?
What is the Health Belief Model, which helps nurses address perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers?
How can nurses use health policy to promote wellness at a population level?
By advocating for policies that support access to care, education, and community health programs.
You’re educating peers on health disparities. How do these impact your care planning for underserved populations?
What is recognizing systemic barriers to care and tailoring interventions to meet patients where they are?
A patient brings in herbal supplements. What is your priority nursing action before continuing treatment?
What is assessing for potential interactions and educating about safe usage?
You’re working with a patient who smokes but says, “Yeah, I know it’s bad, but I’m not ready to quit yet. Maybe someday.”
What is the contemplation stage, where the patient is aware of the problem but not ready to take action?
An appropriate nursing response is to provide supportive information, explore pros and cons of quitting, and avoid pushing for immediate change.
A nurse is caring for a homeless patient recently admitted for pneumonia. The patient is malnourished, has no family support, and expresses feelings of hopelessness. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which of the patient’s needs should the nurse prioritize first, and why?
What are physiological needs, such as nutrition, rest, and oxygenation—because these are foundational for survival and must be met before addressing safety, love/belonging, or self-esteem?
You notice rising adolescent drug overdose rates in your area. How can you use Healthy People data to support a community health initiative?
What is referencing LHIs to justify funding or intervention plans, focusing on measurable national objectives through education, prevention programs, and policy change to reduce risk behaviors?
A family relies on food banks and skips meals. How might this insecurity affect their wellness and health trajectory?
What is higher stress, increased risk of malnutrition, and poor management of chronic conditions?
A patient asks if their nurse can provide acupuncture for chronic back pain. How should the nurse respond, and what does this suggest about the use of CAM in nursing practice?
What is explaining that acupuncture requires specialized training and certification outside the scope of most nursing practice, and that nurses should only offer CAM therapies they are properly trained and credentialed to perform?