Chapter 23 Health Policy and Politics: Get Involved!

Chapter 23  Health Policy and Politics: Get Involved!

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A bill is pending in the state legislature that will mandate teaching health promotion related to smoking cessation. Which action by the nurse should have the greatest impact on passage of the bill?
a.
Explain the rationale for the bill to the school board.
b.
Contact the elected representative’s office by telephone to request support for the bill.
c.
Support a health advocate to run for election as state representative.
d.
Tell all students about the bill.

ANS: B
Telephone calls are an effective means of communicating your support for a bill, next to a face-to-face meeting; ask to speak to the staff person assigned to the bill or issue for which the call is being made. After introducing yourself, give a brief and simple message such as, “Please tell Senator/Representative [name] that I support [bill number].”

DIF: Application REF: p. 407

2. Time is becoming crucial for the nurse to address issues related to sponsoring programs to include hearing aid costs as part of Medicare coverage. The nurse involved in grassroots political actions realizes that the least timely method of reaching elected officials would be via:
a.
letter.
b.
telephone.
c.
e-mail.
d.
facsimile (fax).

ANS: A
Sending letters is the least timely mode by which to communicate with elected officials; because of the anthrax decontamination process that is now in place, delivery of U.S. mail to Congress and to the White House may be delayed by as long as 3 months, making letters an inefficient means of communicating with policymakers.

DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 407

3. A nurse would like to advocate for increased protective services and reporting mechanisms for elder abuse and attends the “meet the candidate” session at the town hall meeting. This is an important time for the nurse to:
a.
educate the public about the nurse’s political platform.
b.
be spontaneous and not deliver a rehearsed speech.
c.
address the person as “candidate” rather than using a first name that implies a working relationship.
d.
learn what the key issues are in the candidate’s platform.

ANS: D
Town hall gatherings with nurses allow the candidate to talk about his or her platform to a group of interested voters and afford nurses an opportunity to understand the candidate’s vision and to voice their opinions and concerns about health care issues.

DIF: Application REF: p. 406

4. A nurse would like to obtain background information and learn the political platform of a candidate who is running for national office. The nurse should contact the:
a.
National Registry for Candidates.
b.
American Nurses Association Nurses Strategic Action Team (N-STAT).
c.
National League of Nurses.
d.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

ANS: B
Through legislative updates, N-STAT keeps members up-to-date about background information and the platforms of candidates who are running for national office; N-STAT also provides updates about key bills as they move through the legislative process.

DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 408