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 phone 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
Correct: Telephone calls are an effective means of communicating your support for a bill; 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].”
Incorrect:
a. The school board may have some interest in information about the bill, but they may or may not support the bill; the nurse will have a greater effect on passage of the bill if she directly phones the elected representative’s office.
c. The nurse is concerned with passing the bill now rather than later, after an election is held.
d. The nurse needs to communicate directly with the representative’s office to support the bill rather than just telling the students; however, telling peers and students about the bill might encourage them to call the representative to express their support.

DIF: Application REF: pp. 416-417

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
Correct: 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.
Incorrect:
b. Phone calls are an effective means of getting your message to an elected official because they usually have a staff person who takes phone calls.
c. E-mail is an effective way to communicate with elected officials; e-mailed and faxed messages are some of the best ways to make sure your voice is heard in time to make a difference.
d. Contacting officials by fax is an effective way to communicate with elected officials; e-mailed and faxed messages are some of the best ways to make sure your voice is heard in time to make a difference.

DIF: Application REF: p. 417

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
Correct: 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.
Incorrect:
a. Educating the public about the nurse’s political platform is an ineffective strategy in advocating for a new health policy.
b. Being spontaneous and not delivering a rehearsed speech is an ineffective strategy in advocating for a new health policy.
c. Addressing the person as “candidate” rather than a first name is an ineffective strategy in advocating for a new health policy.

DIF: Application REF: pp. 415-416

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
Correct: 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.
Incorrect:
a. There is no National Registry for Candidates.
c. The National League of Nurses does not have a political arm for gathering background information and political platform details of candidates.
d. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing does not have a political arm for gathering background information and political platform details of candidates.

DIF: Application REF: p. 418