Chapter 08: Public Health Policy

Chapter 08: Public Health Policy

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A nurse becomes actively involved in the development of a health policy in the community. Which of the following describes why this is an important role of the nurse?

ANS:   A

Nurses should be advocates for the health of the population. In order to do this, nurse professionals must have a working knowledge of government, health care law, the policy process, and the political forces that are shaping the future of health care. Policy does not affect nursing values. Political science does not parallel nursing. Nurses are unable to interpret laws to fit their practice.

DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying                  REF:    p. 168

TOP:    Nursing process: Implementation

MSC:   NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care

2. A nurse is employed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS). Which of the following branches of government is the nurse working for?

ANS:   B

The executive branch includes regulatory departments, one of which is the USDHHS. The judicial branch is composed of a system of federal, state, and local courts guided by the opinions of the Supreme Court. The legislative branch is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, whose members are elected by the citizens of particular geographic areas. There is not a health branch of the government.

DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying                  REF:    p. 168

TOP:    Nursing process: Implementation

MSC:   NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care

3. A nurse discusses with legislators the importance of passing legislation to ban smoking in all public places. Which of the following is the nurse becoming involved in?

ANS:   A

Politics is the art of influencing others to accept a specific course of action. Therefore political activities are used to arrive at a course of action (the policy). Policy is a settled course of action to be followed by a government or institution to obtain a desired end. Law is a system of privileges and processes by which people solve problems based on a set of established rules. Health policy is a set course of action to obtain a desired health outcome for an individual, family, group, community, or society.

DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying                  REF:    p. 168

TOP:    Nursing process: Implementation

MSC:   NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care

4. The first major federal government action relating to health was the:

ANS:   C

The first major federal governmental action relating to health was the creation in 1798 of the PHS. The Social Security Act was passed in 1935. The NIH was founded in 1887. Medicare and Medicaid were created in 1965.

DIF:    Cognitive level: Remembering          REF:    p. 169

TOP:    Nursing process: Assessment

MSC:   NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care