ATI Community Leadership Disaster and Neuro Related

Review ATI Community Leadership Disaster and Neuro related questions and content

A nursing preceptor is reviewing life expectancy in the twentieth century with a new nurse. The nurse should recognize that which of the following was most responsible for the dramatic increase in life expectancy during the twentieth century?

  • A. Use of antibiotics to fight infections
  • B. Sanitation and other public health activities
  • C. Technology increases in the field of medical laboratory research
  • D. Advances in surgical techniques and procedures
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sanitation and other public health activities. Improved sanitation, clean water supply, and public health initiatives such as vaccination programs played a crucial role in increasing life expectancy in the 20th century. Sanitation helped reduce the spread of infectious diseases, leading to a significant decrease in mortality rates. Public health activities focused on prevention rather than treatment, which had a long-term positive impact on overall population health. Antibiotics (choice A) were important but came later in the century. Technology increases in medical laboratory research (choice C) and advances in surgical techniques (choice D) contributed to healthcare improvements but were not the primary factors behind the dramatic increase in life expectancy.