Deck 23: Making Smart Health Care Choices

Question 1

In a clinical trial for a new pain medication,Hayden was given an inactive substance instead of an actual drug.After taking it,however,his headache improved.This resulted from the

A)analgesic effect.
B)placebo effect.
C)ingredients in the inactive pills.
D)passage of time.

Answer 1

placebo effect.

Question 2

You should consult a physician

A)to check blood pressure and temperature.
B)to learn new relaxation techniques.
C)to treat a reaction to an insect bite.
D)if you vomit after dining out.

Answer 2

to treat a reaction to an insect bite.

Question 3

Due to the differences in training,an osteopathic physician would probably have more experience dealing with which condition than a medical doctor?

A)low back pain
B)heart disease
C)cancer
D)kidney failure

Answer 3

low back pain

Question 4

Your mom's doctor works at a hospital accredited by the Joint Commission.This type of accreditation indicates that

A)only specialists can practice there.
B)all practitioner education,licensing,and training qualifications have been verified.
C)all physicians must be trained in both traditional and alternative medicine.
D)only generalists can practice there.

Question 5

Taking responsibility for your health care includes all of the following EXCEPT

A)learning how to navigate the health care system.
B)using over-the-counter medications to treat a sudden,serious illness.
C)being knowledgeable about the benefits and limits of self-care.
D)learning when to seek medical attention.

Question 6

All of the following statements are true about traditional Western medical practice EXCEPT

A)all treatments have had the benefit of extensive clinical trials.
B)practitioners complete rigorous education and clinical training programs.
C)it can be practiced by a wide range of specialists and health professionals.
D)treatments may change dramatically as new advances replace older practices.

Question 7

Your primary care provider suspects that you may have an unusual infection in your eyes.To whom would he or she refer you?

A)physician assistant
B)optician
C)optometrist
D)ophthalmologist

Question 8

Self-care can include

A)diagnosing acute symptoms.
B)treating infections.
C)checking your blood pressure.
D)self-diagnosing cancer.

Question 9

Communication with health care providers can be improved by all of the following EXCEPT

A)knowing your family history.
B)relying on your health care provider for all information on health care issues.
C)writing down information so that you remember it accurately.
D)seeking a second opinion when you have doubts about the provider's recommendations.

Question 10

Self-care involves all of the following EXCEPT

A)knowing your body.
B)paying attention to body signals.
C)taking appropriate action to stop the progression of illness.
D)avoiding medication and taking a "tough it out" approach to illness.

Question 11

Which of the following health professionals is least likely to be a primary health care provider?

A)allergist
B)internist
C)pediatrician
D)obstetrician-gynecologist

Question 12

Before receiving any care,patients must be made aware of the treatment plan and any potential risks involved.This is known as the right

A)of informed consent.
B)to receive care.
C)to privacy.
D)to access medical records.

Question 13

Treating a minor health problem yourself without seeking professional help is

A)urgent care.
B)emergency care.
C)self-care.
D)non-urgent care.

Question 14

You should seek expert medical care if you experience

A)unexplained sudden weight loss.
B)a bout of diarrhea.
C)dizziness upon standing.
D)a runny nose.

Question 15

The primary difference between a board certified and board eligible physician is that a board

A)certified physician has demonstrated competency in a given specialty.
B)eligible physician practices alternative medicine.
C)eligible physician has failed the board exam.
D)certified physician is associated with an accredited health care facility.

Question 16

An optometrist

A)treats skeletal and muscular problems.
B)prescribes medications to treat eye illnesses.
C)fits individuals for prosthetic limbs.
D)performs eye exams and prescribes and fits lenses.

Question 17

Which of the following symptoms probably does NOT warrant professional medical advice?

A)You notice that your lips are bluish in color.
B)You get a tingling sensation in your arm and your speech is slurred.
C)You develop a low-grade fever and sore throat.
D)Your throat is swelling after taking a new medication.

Question 18

The primary care practitioner in your school's health clinic has a master's degree and is authorized to perform exams,conduct diagnostic tests,and in some states may also prescribe medications.He is a

A)nurse practitioner.
B)vocational nurse.
C)licensed practical nurse.
D)registered nurse.

Question 19

Conventional Western medical practice is known as

A)naturopathic medicine.
B)allopathic medicine.
C)holistic medicine.
D)homeopathic medicine.

Question 20

When choosing a health care provider,you should examine all of the following EXCEPT

A)their educational training.
B)their affiliations with accredited medical facilities.
C)how their methods of treatment compare to established medical practices.
D)their membership in local organizations such as country clubs or service clubs.

Question 21

In a 2014 survey,approximately what percentage of college students said they had no health insurance?

A)5 percent
B)10 percent
C)15 percent
D)20 percent

Question 22

The 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA)was designed to do all of the following EXCEPT

A)deny health care coverage to those with preexisting conditions.
B)improve the overall quality of health care.
C)address the cost of health care.
D)improve access to health care.

Question 23

Your father was laid off six months ago but recently started a new job.He was able to keep his health insurance during the transition through

A)COBRA.
B)Medicaid.
C)Medicare.
D)Social Security.

Question 24

Before the Affordable Care Act,if you had a history of back problems and needed health insurance,it was unlikely that your new insurance plan would cover any treatment related to your back problems until the policy had been in effect for a period of time.Your back problem was considered a(n)

A)prior diagnosis.
B)preexisting condition.
C)lifestyle risk.
D)untreatable condition.

Question 25

A set fee that an insurance plan requires that patients pay at the time of service (per office visit or prescription)is the

A)coinsurance.
B)copayment.
C)deductible.
D)premium.

Question 26

Originally health insurance only covered major medical expenses.What effect did this type of coverage have on the medical system?

A)It helped contain costs.
B)It encouraged patients to improve their lifestyle choices to prevent disease.
C)It encouraged doctors to provide more medical procedures for patients.
D)It discouraged hospitals from investing in expensive medical equipment and facilities.

Question 27

All of the following are true with respect to generic drugs EXCEPT that they

A)contain the same active ingredients as their brand name counterpart.
B)are generally less expensive than brand name drugs.
C)have the same inactive ingredients as their brand name counterpart.
D)are sold under a chemical name instead of a brand name.

Question 28

Capitation refers to

A)payment of a fixed monthly amount to a health-care provider per enrolled patient,regardless of the type or number of services provided.
B)a one-time fee that is paid to health care providers from insurance companies if the patient enrolls in an HMO.
C)care received from salaried practitioners at a specific health care facility,such as a hospital or clinic.
D)administrators and stockholders in a proprietary hospital determining the fee schedule for a given fiscal year.

Question 29

Most private health insurance plans require the patient to a pay a certain amount each year toward health care expenses before the plan benefits begin;this amount is the

A)copayment.
B)coinsurance.
C)deductible.
D)premium.

Question 30

Approximately how many Americans have no health insurance?

A)5 million
B)15 million
C)25 million
D)35 million

Question 31

By the year 2013,what percentage of gross domestic product (GDP)will the United States be spending on health care?

A)nearly 5 percent
B)nearly 10 percent
C)nearly 20 percent
D)nearly 30 percent

Question 32

The term defensive medicine refers to actions taken to

A)avoid malpractice claims.
B)protect against infectious disease.
C)slow the progress of chronic diseases.
D)ensure that patients are informed about medical choices.

Question 33

If an insurance policy covers 90 percent of your total medical bills,the remaining 10 percent that you must pay is your

A)coinsurance amount.
B)copayment amount.
C)deductible amount.
D)premium amount.

Question 34

Of the following types of health care expenditures,the United States spends the most on

A)health insurance.
B)government administration and research.
C)drugs and medical products.
D)hospital care.

Question 35

Over-the-counter drugs are commonly used for all of the following EXCEPT

A)allergies.
B)weight loss.
C)sleep problems.
D)diabetes.

Question 36

Drugs that can be purchased without a prescription as part of self-care are

A)over-the-counter drugs.
B)generic drugs.
C)brand-name drugs.
D)formulary drugs.

Question 37

Physician assistants

A)are competently able to treat 100 percent of those seeking primary care.
B)can provide treatment and write prescriptions when supervised by a physician.
C)are not licensed by state boards of medicine.
D)are the same as physicians,but with fewer years of experience.

Question 38

The legal term for improper or negligent treatment of a patient by a health care provider that results in loss or harm to the patient is

A)incompetence.
B)malpractice.
C)malfunction.
D)abandonment.

Question 39

A 70-year-old retired person would be eligible for health insurance coverage through

A)COBRA.
B)Medicaid.
C)Medicare.
D)Social Security.

Question 40

Which of the following is TRUE with respect to health care spending accounts (FSAs or HSAs)?

A)They provide affordable health care coverage.
B)They are only available to low-income individuals.
C)They allow people to save money tax-free for health care costs.
D)They provide funds that help employers finance company health plans.

Question 41

All of the following are provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)EXCEPT coverage for

A)preventive services.
B)preexisting conditions.
C)prescription medications.
D)young adults on a parent's plan through age 30.

Question 42

Which of the following statements is NOT true about costs in the U.S.health care system?

A)The U.S.spends more on health care than any other nation.
B)Growing rates of obesity are pushing costs higher.
C)New technologies are lowering costs.
D)Overtreatment is an issue.

Question 43

All patients have the legal right to access their medical records.

Question 44

The health insurance program jointly funded by the states and the federal government that provides coverage for low-income individuals and families is

A)Medicare.
B)Medicaid.
C)Social Security.
D)COBRA.

Question 45

Categories established by the federal government to determine how much a hospital will be reimbursed for the care of a patient with a particular condition or multiple conditions are

A)diagnosis-related groups.
B)fee schedules.
C)formulary tiers.
D)diagnostic codes.

Question 46

Managed care is based on

A)coordination of health care.
B)doctors setting their own rates.
C)few administrative rules.
D)emergency health care.

Question 47

The federally funded health insurance program that covers 99 percent of the U.S.population age 65 and older is

A)Medicare.
B)Medicaid.
C)Social Security.
D)COBRA.

Question 48

If you are concerned about the costs of health care,which of the following practices should you avoid?

A)obtaining recommended health screenings
B)maintaining a healthy weight
C)exercising regularly
D)using the emergency room for your routine health care

Question 49

The placebo effect is the disappearance of symptoms without any apparent reason or treatment.

Question 50

If you have moved to a new town and want to find a physician you can see for annual wellness exams and the treatment of routine ailments,you are seeking a(n)

A)in-network practitioner.
B)allopathic practitioner.
C)internal medicine practitioner.
D)primary care practitioner.

Question 51

If your PPO has an in-network coverage rate of 90 percent and an out-of-network coverage rate of 60 percent,this means that

A)your deductible will decrease by 30 percent if you visit an out-of-network specialist.
B)you will be responsible for paying 40 percent of the costs associated with out-of-network services.
C)you are more likely to be denied coverage for out-of-network services.
D)you can expect to pay 60 percent of costs for out-of-network services.

Question 52

Concerns about HMOs include all of the following EXCEPT

A)questions about care allocation.
B)profit-motivated medical decision making.
C)the high cost of copayments.
D)questions about access to services.

Question 53

Medical decision making based on clinical expertise,patient values,and data from scientific research is known as

A)allopathic medicine.
B)evidence-based practice.
C)conventional medical care.
D)primary practice.

Question 54

Approximately what percentage of Americans currently uses one or more prescription drugs?

A)nearly 10 percent
B)nearly 40 percent
C)nearly 70 percent
D)nearly 90 percent

Question 55

The ACA is intended to improve the quality of health care by emphasizing

A)emergency care.
B)surgical care.
C)preventative care.
D)rationed care.

Question 56

What do preferred provider organizations (PPOs)and point of service (POS)plans have in common?

A)Both provide service from in-network medical providers.
B)Both are designed to coordinate a patient's care across various providers.
C)Both provide care from networks of independent doctors and hospitals.
D)Both allow patients to seek outside care but require patients to pay the extra cost.

Question 57

An osteopath (D.O)does not complete the same level of training as a physician who is an M.D.

Question 58

One of the advantages of a single-payer health care system is that it

A)can achieve lower cost through economies of scale.
B)provides a higher quality of health care.
C)rations health care services.
D)encourages people to commit to lifestyle choices that reduce their risk for chronic diseases.

Question 59

Which type of health insurance plan involves a contracted provider network and a focus on preventive care and cost control?

A)fee-for-service
B)managed care
C)indemnity
D)hospital-owned

Question 60

A payment made to an insurance company,usually on a monthly basis,to cover the cost of an insurance policy is the

A)deductible.
B)premium.
C)waiting period.
D)lifetime limit.

Question 61

Identify at least four factors involved in the continuing increase in health care costs.

Question 62

A patient is entitled to know whether a recommended treatment is established practice or experimental.

Question 63

List and discuss five points that will help you communicate well with health care providers.

Question 64

List and explain the various mechanisms private insurance companies are still allowed to use,under the Affordable Care Act,to limit potential losses.

Question 65

Requesting an x-ray when it is unnecessary but the patient demands it would be considered defensive medicine.

Question 66

Regular self-care should include learning about health from reliable health care publications,including websites.

Question 67

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA),a person can be denied health coverage for a preexisting condition.

Question 68

Health insurance is based on the idea that policyholders pay affordable premiums so they never have to face catastrophic medical bills.

Question 69

Are you in favor of a national single-payer health insurance program in the United States? Support your answer with reasons why or why not.

Question 70

List and discuss five key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Question 71

Allopathic medicine is based on scientifically validated methods and procedures.

Question 72

Discuss four common forms of self-care.

Question 73

All physicians must accept Medicare patients.

Question 74

The labels of over-the-counter medications are not required to identify the purpose of the drug or the active ingredient.

Question 75

An optometrist holds a medical degree and can perform eye surgery.

Question 76

Andy has been taking a prescription antidepressant for 10 weeks and reports feeling less depressed since he began taking the medication.How can Andy be certain that his response isn't attributable to the placebo effect? Can he? And if not,what could he do to increase his understanding of his drug response?

Question 77

Cost sharing is one of the mechanisms private health care insurers use to help patients afford coverage.

Question 78

Distinguish between nurse practitioners (NPs),registered nurses (RNs),and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs),comparing training and responsibilities.