A community health nurse is calculating the top three causes of death in a county. Which of the following mortality measures should the nurse use to obtain this data?
Proportionate mortality
Crude mortality rate
Cause-specific mortality rate
Case fatality
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A: Proportionate Mortality
Proportionate mortality refers to the proportion of deaths in a specified population over a period of time attributable to different causes. It is expressed as a percentage of the total number of deaths. While this measure can provide insight into the relative importance of different causes of death, it does not give the actual mortality rate for each cause. Therefore, it is not the best measure for identifying the top three causes of death in a county.
Choice B: Crude Mortality Rate
The crude mortality rate is the total number of deaths from all causes per 1,000 or 100,000 population in a given year. This measure provides an overall picture of the mortality level in a population but does not specify the causes of death. It is useful for general mortality trends but not for identifying specific causes of death.
Choice C: Cause-Specific Mortality Rate
The cause-specific mortality rate is the number of deaths from a specific cause per 100,000 population in a given year. This measure is the most appropriate for identifying the top three causes of death because it provides detailed information on the mortality rate for each specific cause. By calculating the cause-specific mortality rates, the nurse can determine which causes are the most significant contributors to mortality in the county.
Choice D: Case Fatality
Case fatality refers to the proportion of individuals diagnosed with a particular disease who die from that disease within a specified period. It is usually expressed as a percentage. While case fatality provides information on the severity of a disease, it does not give the overall mortality rate for the population or help identify the top causes of death.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A: Incidence is a Measure of Mortality
This statement is incorrect. Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disease that occur in a specified population during a defined period. It measures the risk of developing the disease, not the number of deaths. Mortality rates, on the other hand, measure the number of deaths due to a disease in a population.
Choice B: Incidence Includes Only People at Risk for the Disease
This statement is correct. The incidence rate is calculated by dividing the number of new cases of a disease by the number of people at risk for the disease in the population during a specified period. This measure helps to understand the likelihood of developing the disease among those who are susceptible.
Choice C: The Denominator for the Incidence Rate Calculation is for the Entire Population
This statement is incorrect. The denominator for the incidence rate calculation should include only those individuals who are at risk of developing the disease, not the entire population. Including the entire population would inaccurately represent the risk, as it would include individuals who cannot develop the disease (e.g., men in the case of breast cancer).
Choice D: New Cases are Not Considered When Calculating an Incidence Rate
This statement is incorrect. The incidence rate specifically measures the number of new cases of a disease that occur in a population during a specified period. Therefore, new cases are a critical component of the incidence rate calculation.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A: Quaternary
Quaternary prevention focuses on identifying patients at risk of over-medicalization and protecting them from unnecessary medical interventions. It aims to prevent harm from excessive or inappropriate medical care. This level of prevention is not applicable to the scenario of tube feeding, which is a necessary and appropriate medical intervention for the student's condition.
Choice B: Primary
Primary prevention aims to prevent the onset of disease or injury before it occurs. This includes measures such as vaccination, health education, and lifestyle modifications to reduce risk factors. Tube feeding does not fall under primary prevention, as it is not aimed at preventing the initial occurrence of a health issue but rather managing an existing condition.
Choice C: Tertiary
This is the correct choice. Tertiary prevention involves managing and improving the quality of life for individuals with chronic or long-term health conditions. It focuses on rehabilitation, treatment, and support to prevent complications and improve functional abilities. Helping a special needs student with tube feeding is an example of tertiary prevention, as it involves ongoing care and support to manage a chronic condition and enhance the student's well-being.
Choice D: Secondary
Secondary prevention aims to detect and treat disease or injury at an early stage to prevent progression. This includes screening programs, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment. Tube feeding is not a form of secondary prevention, as it is not focused on early detection or intervention but rather on managing an established health condition.
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