Chapter 21 Care of Poor and Homeless Populations

Chapter 21   Care of Poor and Homeless Populations

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

1) The population health nurse is aware that many members of the community, though they are employed, need to obtain additional foodstuffs every month from the local community food bank. The nurse knows that this indicates that:

1. There are insufficient employment opportunities in the community.
2. Poverty is increasing in the community.
3. Better information about food economy should be disseminated in the community.
4. The local grocery stores do not carry sufficient supplies.

Answer:  2

Explanation:  2. Poverty can be defined in terms of the amount of income spent on essential goods and services, such as food. If employed community residents are not able to obtain sufficient food from their paychecks and need to utilize local food bank supplies, this is an indication that there is poverty in the community. There is no indication that there are not sufficient employment opportunities in the community, nor does it indicate that better information about food economy would stretch the food bought from the income. There is no indication that local grocery stores have insufficient supplies.

Nursing/Int.Conc:  Nursing Process: Assessment

Client Need:  Health Promotion and Maintenance

Cognitive Level:  Analysis

Learning Outcome:  21-1

2) There is a low unemployment rate in a community that has experienced a large growth in gentrification. Yet, many community residents live in motels and campgrounds because there is a lack of affordable housing for lower-income residents. The population health nurse realizes that these residents could be considered:

1. To be very close to poverty.
2. To have problems with substance abuse.
3. Homeless due to their transitory lodgings.
4. An easily mobile workforce.

Answer:  3

Explanation:  3. Homelessness can include those who lack a fixed, regular residence. Those living in motels and campgrounds are not living in a dwelling with a fixed address. Gentrification develops existing homes in the community, but displaces low-income housing with higher-income housing. This creates a lack of affordable housing for those who earn lower wages, which increases the threat of homelessness among the population, even those who are employed. There is no indication that substance abuse is involved nor does it indicate poverty. Living in motels or campgrounds does not imply a mobile workforce.

Nursing/Int.Conc:  Nursing Process: Assessment

Client Need:  Health Promotion and Maintenance

Cognitive Level:  Analysis

Learning Outcome:  21-1

3) The population health nurse realizes that many of the young adult members of the community have poor nutrition habits and knows that these are risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These risk factors can affect their:

1. Future income and health potential.
2. Ability to obtain health care.
3. Ability to network social support systems.
4. Future potential to change their dietary habits.

Answer:  1

Explanation:  1. While these risk factors may not manifest themselves in obvious health problems, these biophysical factors can influence future income and health potential. Development of chronic diseases can impact quality of employment in terms of absence that can result in decreased income, which affects overall earnings potential and can affect ability to have appropriate and effective health care. The ability to obtain health care, to develop social support system networks, and to change dietary habits are not impaired by having risk factors.

Nursing/Int.Conc:  Nursing Process: Assessment

Client Need:  Health Promotion and Maintenance

Cognitive Level:  Analysis

Learning Outcome:  21-2

4) The population health nurse investigates a local park where several complaints have been lodged against people who sleep there at night and rummage through the trash cans. The nurse sees several inappropriately overdressed people sitting on the benches with many worn shopping bags clustered around them. After speaking with these people, the nurse contacts a local mental health agency to refer them for services. What is the best rationale for this intervention?

1. Mental health agencies are the best source for homeless referrals.
2. Shelters and shower facilities are easily obtained through mental health agencies.
3. Homeless funding is best found in mental health agencies.
4. Many homeless people have concurrent mental health illness.

Answer:  4

Explanation:  4. Mental illness is a psychological factor that contributes to homelessness. While not every person has mental illness, the nurse’s intervention to contact a local mental health agency comes after speaking with the homeless people in the park. Sleeping on the benches, rummaging through trash, and inappropriately overdressing in clothes are indications that the people in the park are homeless. An estimated 20% to 25% of homeless people have mental illness. Mental health agencies are not the best source for homeless referrals, but are the best source for a homeless person who has mental illness. Mental health agencies are not source facilities for shelters or shower facilities. Mental health agencies are not the best source for homeless funding.

Nursing/Int.Conc:  Nursing Process: Implementation

Client Need:  Psychosocial Integrity

Cognitive Level:  Analysis

Learning Outcome:  21-2