ch 56 Flashcards
A definition of health policy includes which of the following elements?
a. Funding for public education
b. Appropriation of funds for roadwork
c. Selection of congressional members of committees
d. Public policy made to support health-related goals
ANS: D
Health policy is defined as public policy pertaining to health that is the result of an authoritative public decision-making process. Public education funding, appropriation of funding for roads, and selection of members of committees are not part of healthcare policy. They are under a different funding arm of the government.
Which branch of government is responsible for the execution of laws passed by legislatures?
a. Legislative
b. Judicial
c. Executive
d. Local
ANS: C
The executive branch of federal and state governments is responsible for execution of laws passed. The legislative branch is responsible for passing laws. The judicial branch of government determines if rights are being upheld. Local governments are not considered a branch of the government.
Which level of government is responsible for the regulation of a nurse’s license?
a. Federal government
b. State government
c. Local government
d. International coalition
ANS: B
State boards of nursing oversee the regulation of nursing practice. These agencies are established by legislatures to implement and enforce laws through a rule-making process. Federal, local, and international coalitions are not correct, because they do not have control of the state boards of nursing.
Which of the following components are included in health policy at the state level?
a. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
b. Scope of nursing practice
c. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996
d. Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005
ANS: B
The scope of nursing practice is correct, because it is controlled at the state level by state boards of nursing. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the HIPAA of 1996, and the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 are all regulated at the national level.
Which of the following is the intent of HIPAA?
a. Release patient information for purposes of insurance reimbursement.
b. Prevent healthcare providers from billing for procedures done for the insured
person.
c. Protect patients from reviewing their own medical records.
d. Limit the ability of healthcare providers to sell patient information to outside
sources.
ANS: D
The intent of HIPAA is to protect patient information and prevent it from being sold to outside agencies. The right of heath care providers to bill for services is necessary for patient payment and is not prohibited. Patients have the right to view their own patient information.
Nurses can be health advocates in which of the following ways? (Select all that apply.)
a. Supporting their professional nursing organization when discussing upcoming
legislation
b. Discussing the upcoming classes with a neighbor
c. Rallying for coverage for childhood immunizations
d. Arranging for a patient to meet with case management for home health care
e. Discussing a patient they are concerned about with a fellow student in the public
cafeteria
ANS: A, C, D
Supporting a professional nursing organization, rallying for coverage for childhood immunizations, and arranging for a patient to meet with case management are examples of how nurses can be a positive influence on healthcare policy. Discussing an upcoming class with a neighbor is not effective because it could be determined to be negative. Talking about a patient in a public area is an example of inappropriate communication between healthcare workers and is a violation of patient confidentiality
A nursing student is preparing a care plan for an assigned patient. When accessing the electronic medical record, what is acceptable information to view? (Select all that apply.)
a. Laboratory data of the assigned patient
b. Admission diagnosis for a patient who is a former neighbor
c. The patient’s age, date of birth, and gender
d. The history and physical of the assigned patient
e. A classmate’s brother’s chest x-ray report
ANS: A, C, D
The laboratory data, age, date of birth, gender, history, and physical of an assigned patient are necessary for identification and care of the patient so it is acceptable to view this information in the electronic medical record. The patient information in the medical record, whether electronic or print, is only to be viewed by those who have a legitimate role in the patient’s care. Viewing information on patients other than the assigned patient is not appropriate, because the student does not have a need to view the information for patient care. These are violations of patient privacy.
