Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

What principle is violated when community leaders withhold information about a chemical spill?

1. Policy

2. Advocacy

3. Caring

4. Virtue

The correct answer is: Advocacy

When community leaders withhold information about a chemical spill, the principle of advocacy is violated. Advocacy in public health nursing involves speaking up for the health and needs of vulnerable populations, as well as ensuring that individuals have access to critical information that may affect their health and safety. Withholding information about a chemical spill directly contradicts the concept of advocacy because it puts the community at risk by preventing them from taking necessary precautions to protect themselves. It undermines the trust between leaders and the community, as transparency is essential for informed decision-making and empowering individuals to respond appropriately to potential hazards. In this context, caring, virtue, and policy may also be relevant, but the core violation stems from the absence of active support for the community's right to know about health risks and the implications this information has for their wellbeing.