ATI RN
Public Health Policy Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
An individual has been terminated from his job and has lost his health insurance. Which federal law allows him to continue his insurance benefits for a specified period of time?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An important requirement of COBRA focuses on the problem of the loss of insurance when a person loses his or her job. With the growing number of unemployed, COBRA is even more important. Employers who terminate an employee must continue benefits for the employee and dependents for a specified period of time if the employee had health benefits before the termination. HIPPA offers protections for patient privacy and confidentiality. The Family Support Act expanded coverage for poor women and children and required states to extend Medicaid coverage for 12 months to families who have increased earnings but are no longer receiving cash assistance. The HMO Act provides grants for HMO development.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is employed by the state public health department. Which activity would she most likely complete?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: One of the state health care functions is assessment of health needs based on statewide data collection. This could be done by monitoring the incidence of influenza in the state. Setting up a flu shot clinic would most likely be done at the local level, while lobbying for health care reform would most likely be done at the federal level. Serving as a volunteer for a campaign may be something a nurse would do, but would not be specifically related to employment by the state public health department.
Question 3 of 5
Which best describes the most crucial step in policy formation?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: How an issue is defined determines what the possible approaches to resolution might be. With all the demands on legislators' time, it is difficult for an issue to be seen as important enough to have action taken. Defining the issue as crucially important and worthy of a place on the agenda for possible action is the most critical step.
Question 4 of 5
Which statement best describes why nurses are not more effective in creating political change?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nurses know how to communicate, collaborate, negotiate, and serve as leaders who can make themselves heard. However, the various nursing subgroups do not agree on public policies.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is employed by the state nursing association to serve as a lobbyist. Which would be the most crucial task to achieve?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An individual who establishes a reputation as a reliable and accurate resource as a lobbyist has substantial influence. Certainly, it is also useful to convince colleagues to join nursing organizations and write legislators or contribute to campaigns of legislators supportive of nursing goals. Legislators rely on lobbyists to educate them on issues. The official must trust the lobbyists to give accurate (though predictably biased) information, which is timely and up to date.