A public health nurse is discussing how to improve client outcomes with county legislators. Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend to improve outcomes for clients impacted by the cycle of poverty?

Choice A Reason:
Posting the analyzed findings on the health department section of the city's website is important for transparency and public awareness. It allows the community to access the information and understand the health issues identified. However, this action alone does not directly address the health issues identified in the assessment. It is more of a communication strategy rather than an intervention.

Choice B Reason:
Educating members of a vulnerable population about available public health services is a crucial step in ensuring that these populations can access the services they need. This action helps in bridging the gap between the health department and the community. However, it is a part of the implementation phase rather than the planning phase. The primary goal of the assessment is to identify issues and plan interventions.

Choice C Reason:
Conducting focus groups with local residents to discuss their usage of public health services is a valuable method for gathering qualitative data and understanding community needs and behaviors. This can provide deeper insights into the issues identified in the assessment. However, like choice B, this is more of a data collection method rather than a direct action plan to address the identified health issues.

Choice D Reason:
Preparing a plan to address a health issue in a specific area of the city is the most direct and actionable step that aligns with the core function of assessment. The purpose of conducting a community health assessment is to identify health issues and develop strategies to address them. This choice involves creating a targeted intervention plan based on the findings, which is the ultimate goal of the assessment process.

Choice A reason: There's no way to predict how a client will do on a medical regimen.
This statement is incorrect because the Theory of Reasoned Action/Planned Behavior (TRA/TPB) provides a framework for predicting and understanding behaviors, including adherence to medical regimens. According to this theory, behavioral intentions, influenced by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, can predict actual behavior. Therefore, it is possible to predict how a client might adhere to a medical regimen based on these factors.

Choice B reason: There is a high chance of better outcomes with more education.
While education is important, it alone may not be sufficient to ensure better outcomes. The TRA/TPB suggests that intentions to perform a behavior are influenced by attitudes towards the behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Without addressing these factors, simply providing more education may not lead to improved adherence or outcomes.

Choice C reason: There is a higher chance of complications due to poor adherence to the plan.
This statement aligns with the TRA/TPB, which posits that poor adherence to a medical regimen can lead to negative health outcomes. In the context of diabetes management, poor adherence to dietary and exercise plans can result in uncontrolled blood glucose levels, leading to complications such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, and retinopathy. The client's reported lack of motivation and non-adherence to the meal plan and exercise regimen increases the risk of such complications.

Choice D reason: The outcomes will be about the same.
This statement is incorrect because it overlooks the impact of adherence on health outcomes. According to the TRA/TPB, adherence to recommended behaviors is crucial for achieving positive health outcomes. In diabetes management, adherence to dietary and exercise plans is essential for controlling blood glucose levels and preventing complications. Therefore, outcomes are unlikely to remain the same if the client does not adhere to the recommended regimen.