A nurse is conducting a community assessment. Which of the following information should the nurse include as part of the windshield survey?

Choice A reason: Organizing an influenza immunization clinic with the American Red Cross is a service that the nurses should plan to provide to the congregation, as it is consistent with the role and scope of parish nursing. Parish nurses, or faith community nurses, are registered nurses who provide education, counseling, referral, advocacy, and volunteer coordination within the context of their faith community¹. They focus on holistic healing and prevention of illness, rather than hands-on care². Organizing an influenza immunization clinic is an example of a preventive and educational service that can benefit the health of the congregation and the community.

Choice B reason: Performing wound care in the home of members is not a service that the nurses should plan to provide to the congregation, as it is outside the role and scope of parish nursing. Parish nurses do not provide direct clinical care, such as wound care, medication administration, or blood pressure monitoring². They may refer members to other health care providers or agencies for these services, or teach members how to perform self-care³.

Choice C reason: Providing end of life care for members who are terminal is not a service that the nurses should plan to provide to the congregation, as it is outside the role and scope of parish nursing. Parish nurses do not provide direct clinical care, such as pain management, symptom control, or palliative care². They may provide spiritual and emotional support, counseling, and advocacy for members who are terminal, or refer them to hospice or other end of life care services³.

Choice D reason: Facilitating discharge from the facility to the home is not a service that the nurses should plan to provide to the congregation, as it is outside the role and scope of parish nursing. Parish nurses do not provide case management, discharge planning, or home health care². They may collaborate with other health care professionals or community agencies to ensure continuity of care and smooth transition for members who are discharged from the facility to the home³.

Choice A reason: Demographic data is not part of the windshield survey, but rather a secondary source of information that the nurse can obtain from census reports, health statistics, or other documents. Demographic data includes information such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, income, education, and occupation of the community members.

Choice B reason: Mortality rate is not part of the windshield survey, but rather a secondary source of information that the nurse can obtain from vital records, health reports, or other documents. Mortality rate is a measure of the number of deaths in a given population, usually expressed as deaths per 1000 or 100,000 people.

Choice C reason: Informant interviews are not part of the windshield survey, but rather a primary source of information that the nurse can obtain by talking to key informants or community leaders who have knowledge and insight about the community. Informant interviews can help the nurse to identify the community's strengths, needs, problems, and resources.

Choice D reason: Housing quality is part of the windshield survey, which is a direct observation of the community by driving or walking through it. Housing quality includes information such as the type, age, condition, size, and value of the houses, as well as the availability and accessibility of utilities, sanitation, and safety features. Housing quality can reflect the socioeconomic status, health status, and environmental risks of the community.