A nurse is reviewing various roles within the community. The nurse should identify which of the following statements best encompasses the description of a community health worker?
Community health workers are paid or unpaid individuals active in promoting the health of a community.
A community health worker should be a public health nurse.
Community health workers are unpaid residents within a community who volunteer their services.
Paid employees within the community comprise the role of a community health worker.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A: Community Health Workers are Paid or Unpaid Individuals Active in Promoting the Health of a Community
This statement accurately describes community health workers (CHWs). CHWs can be either paid or unpaid and are often members of the communities they serve. They play a crucial role in promoting health, providing education, and connecting individuals to health care services. Their work is essential in improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities within communities.
Choice B: A Community Health Worker Should be a Public Health Nurse
This statement is incorrect. While public health nurses can work as community health workers, the role of a CHW is not limited to nurses. CHWs come from various backgrounds and do not necessarily have formal medical training. Their primary qualification is their close connection to the community and their ability to build trust and provide culturally appropriate health education and services.
Choice C: Community Health Workers are Unpaid Residents Within a Community Who Volunteer Their Services
This statement is partially correct but incomplete. While many CHWs volunteer their services, others are paid for their work. The key aspect of a CHW's role is their active involvement in promoting community health, regardless of whether they are paid or unpaid.
Choice D: Paid Employees Within the Community Comprise the Role of a Community Health Worker
This statement is incorrect. While some CHWs are paid, the role is not exclusively filled by paid employees. Many CHWs volunteer their time and efforts to support their communities. The defining characteristic of a CHW is their dedication to improving community health, not their employment status.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Identifying a support system to prevent the client from giving into the urge to smoke is crucial during the preparation phase of the Transtheoretical Model. In this phase, the client is ready to take action within the next 30 days and may start taking small steps towards quitting smoking. A support system, which can include family, friends, or support groups, provides the necessary encouragement and accountability to help the client stay committed to their goal. This support can significantly increase the chances of successful smoking cessation by offering emotional and practical assistance².
Choice B Reason:
Giving literature to the client who has expressed wanting to quit but is not yet ready to do so aligns more with the contemplation phase of the Transtheoretical Model. In the contemplation phase, individuals are considering quitting within the next six months but are not yet ready to take immediate action. Providing educational materials can help them understand the benefits of quitting and the steps involved, but it is not as relevant for someone in the preparation phase who is already planning to quit soon.
Choice C Reason:
Consoling the client for smoking a cigarette after having quit smoking 4 months ago is more appropriate for the maintenance phase. In the maintenance phase, individuals work to sustain their behavior change and prevent relapse. While offering support after a relapse is important, it does not align with the preparation phase, where the focus is on planning and preparing to quit smoking.
Choice D Reason:
Teaching the client who refuses to quit smoking about fire safety and cigarette smoking is not relevant to the preparation phase. This intervention might be more suitable for individuals in the precontemplation phase, where they are not yet considering quitting and need to be made aware of the risks associated with smoking. In the preparation phase, the client is already motivated to quit, so the focus should be on supporting their efforts to take action.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
The portal of entry refers to the site through which pathogens enter the body. While handwashing can indirectly affect the portal of entry by reducing the number of pathogens on the hands, it primarily targets the mode of transmission. The portal of entry includes areas such as the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and breaks in the skin.
Choice B Reason:
The susceptible host is an individual who is at risk of infection due to factors such as age, underlying health conditions, or weakened immune systems. Handwashing does not directly alter the susceptibility of the host but rather reduces the likelihood of the host coming into contact with pathogens.
Choice C Reason:
The portal of exit is the site from which pathogens leave the host to infect another individual. Common portals of exit include the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and open wounds. Handwashing does not directly impact the portal of exit but helps prevent the spread of pathogens from one person to another.
Choice D Reason:
Mode of transmission refers to the way pathogens are transferred from one host to another. Handwashing is a critical intervention that targets this link in the chain of transmission by removing pathogens from the hands, thereby preventing their spread through direct contact or contact with contaminated surfaces. This is why proper handwashing technique is emphasized in infection control practices.
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