When explaining the difference between community and population, the n

When explaining the difference between community and population, the nurse educator uses which of the following as an example for population?

1. Commuters on the subway
2. A grade school class
3. Graduating nursing students
4. A group of employees at a local plant

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: A population is composed of people who share some common characteristic, but who do not necessarily interact with each other—as people on a subway might behave. They are all riding, but not really interacting. The other options are examples of community—people or a social system in which the members interact formally or informally and form networks that operate for the benefit of all people in the community. A grade school class or nurse graduates would fall into this category as would employees at a local plant-people who share some part of their lives in such a way that all benefit.