Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

When a nurse promotes alliances among organizations, which intervention is being practiced?

1. Health teaching

2. Coalition building

3. Surveillance

4. Referral and follow-up

The correct answer is: Coalition building

When a nurse promotes alliances among organizations, coalition building is the intervention being practiced. Coalition building involves bringing together various stakeholders—such as community organizations, governmental entities, and healthcare providers—to work collaboratively towards a common goal, typically centered around improving public health outcomes. By fostering these alliances, the nurse can leverage resources, share knowledge, and create a united front to address health issues more effectively within the community. The process of coalition building is crucial in public health practice as it enhances the capacity of organizations to implement comprehensive strategies, address health disparities, and mobilize community resources. It emphasizes teamwork and shared decision-making, which can lead to more sustainable health interventions and policies. The other interventions listed focus on different aspects of public health practice. Health teaching is centered around imparting knowledge and skills to individuals or groups to promote health behaviors. Surveillance involves the ongoing systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health-related data to monitor health events. Referral and follow-up concern connecting individuals with necessary services and ensuring they receive ongoing support. While all these interventions are important in public health, coalition building specifically emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts among various organizations.