One of the first steps in community assessment may involve the community health nurse driving or walking through an area and making observations about such things as environmental layout and location of agencies, hospitals, industries, and so forth. This is called a(n):
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Windshield survey. This is because a windshield survey involves physically driving or walking through a community to observe its environmental layout, location of agencies, hospitals, industries, and other key features. This step helps the community health nurse to gain an initial understanding of the community's resources, strengths, and potential health issues.
A: Census survey involves collecting demographic data, not direct observation.
B: Needs survey focuses on identifying community health needs through specific data collection methods.
C: Informant survey involves gathering information from key community members, not direct observation.
In summary, the windshield survey is the appropriate choice as it aligns with the description of physically observing the community to gather initial information.