Political Action in Nursing
A nurse wants to influence health care policy by engaging in the political process. Which action should the nurse take first?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first step in political advocacy is identifying key health care issues affecting nursing practice. Once the issue is defined, nurses can take further action, such as joining a PAC, lobbying, or engaging in campaigns.
What is the primary function of lobbying in the political process?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lobbying is the process of educating and influencing public officials to enact policies that benefit nursing and health care.
What is the weakest source of power in political action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Expert power is based on knowledge and skills, but it is often considered the weakest form of power because it lacks direct influence over decision-makers.
What is a key goal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ACA was designed to make health insurance more affordable, particularly for those with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
Which nursing care delivery model involves a nurse assuming responsibility for complete care for a group of patients on a one-to-one basis?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Total patient care, or private duty care, involves one nurse assuming complete responsibility for a group of patients, providing all necessary care.
A newly licensed nurse wants to move from Indiana to Florida but learns that licensure requirements differ between states. Which concept is relevant to this situation?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows nurses to practice in multiple states under a single license, provided those states are part of the agreement.
A nurse manager wants to use legitimate power to influence policy. Which action demonstrates this type of power?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Legitimate power comes from an individual's official role or position, allowing them to influence policies.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) lobbies for which primary issue?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The ANA actively lobbies for policies that enhance nursing practice and improve patient outcomes.
What is one major challenge in the healthcare system that affects nursing care delivery?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, is a significant challenge that impacts the quality of care and staffing levels.
Which factor has contributed to the ongoing shortage of nurses in the healthcare system?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The aging population of both patients and nurses contributes to the ongoing shortage, as many nurses are retiring, and fewer are entering the profession.
A nurse wants to advocate for safe staffing ratios. Which action would be most effective?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Professional nursing organizations have the political influence and resources to lobby for legislative changes regarding staffing ratios.
. Which statement best describes the impact of collective bargaining in nursing?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Collective bargaining provides nurses with a means to negotiate for better wages, working conditions, and benefits.
. A nurse is concerned about workplace violence. What is the best political action to address this issue?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lobbying for legislation provides long-term protection and policy changes to improve nurse safety.
What is the main purpose of case management in nursing?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Case management focuses on coordinating care, monitoring services, and ensuring efficient use of resources to reduce costs.
What is the main objective of using evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing care?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based practice is focused on using the best available research evidence to make informed and effective decisions about patient care.
What is the primary purpose of a Political Action Committee (PAC)?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PACs pool resources to endorse and financially support political candidates who align with nursing and health care interests.
A nurse is writing a letter to a legislator about health care reform. Which key element should be included?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Personal stories help humanize the issue and make the message more impactful to legislators.
. What is the goal of health care reform?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Health care reform focuses on improving access, affordability, and quality of care for all individuals.
According to the Institute of Medicine's 2010 report, what is one key recommendation to improve nursing care delivery?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: One of the key recommendations from the IOM (2010) is to remove scope-of-practice barriers to allow nurses to practice to the full extent of their training.
. In which model of nursing care delivery does an RN manage and coordinate the patient’s care during the entire hospital stay, including discharge planning?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Primary Nursing involves the RN managing and coordinating care over a 24-hour period, including planning the patient’s discharge
Which of the following is the strongest source of power in political action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reward power, such as endorsing candidates and providing financial contributions, is one of the strongest sources of power in political advocacy.
Which political issue is most relevant to ensuring nurse safety in the workplace?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Safe staffing laws directly impact nurse workload, patient safety, and reduce burnout and workplace injuries.
A nurse wants to expand their influence on policy. Which strategy is most effective?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Joining professional organizations provides nurses with resources and opportunities to actively participate in shaping health policy.
What is the focus of patient-centered care?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patient-centered care involves actively involving patients and their families in care decisions and focusing on their individual health needs and goals.
Which approach to managing healthcare costs involves setting a fixed reimbursement rate for hospitals based on the patient’s diagnosis at discharge?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The prospective payment system, introduced in the 1980s, provides hospitals with a fixed fee based on the patient’s diagnosis, encouraging cost-effective care.