Final answer:
Medical records provide direct patient-specific information, making them the method by which a community health nurse can obtain direct data for community health needs assessment.
Step-by-step explanation:
A community health nurse conducting a needs assessment of a community would identify medical records as the method that will yield direct data. Health surveys, informant reviews, and morbidity/mortality statistics can provide valuable information, but these methods are considered indirect means of gathering data about community health. Medical records, however, offer direct, patient-specific information that includes detailed health history, diagnoses, treatment plans, and outcomes. This type of data is essential for an accurate assessment of health needs as it provides insights into actual health events experienced by community members.