NCLEX: The community health nurse at a public health clinic is being evaluated for risk related to primary prevention. A…

Community / public health nursing Health Promotion and Maintenance

Case Study

The community health nurse at a public health clinic is being evaluated for risk related to primary prevention. Assessment data include a client with active tuberculosis missed two public health appointments. Which finding requires the nurse to intervene immediately?

Question

A. A stable, long-standing finding that matches the expected care plan.
B. A comfort request with unchanged vital signs and no new symptoms.
C. The new finding that a client with active tuberculosis missed two public health appointments.
D. Routine data unchanged from the prior assessment.

Rationale

Correct answer: C. The new finding that a client with active tuberculosis missed two public health appointments.

Rationale: Follow-up items test whether the nurse recognizes cues that are new, acute, or inconsistent with stability and need prompt nursing action.

Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.

Level: Foundational

Difficulty: Easy

Subtopic: Primary prevention