Deck 17: Political Action in Nursing

Question 1

What is an example of the weakest source of power?

A) Several nursing students talk with a head nurse regarding a problem they are having on the unit.The head nurse then discusses this problem with the chief nursing officer.
B) The clinical nursing instructor sends a student to the skills lab for further practice.
C) A nurse shares knowledge regarding nursing in a confident manner and style.
D) The head nurse tells staff members that as soon as all the care plans are completed,they may have some additional compensation time.

Answer 1

A nurse shares knowledge regarding nursing in a confident manner and style.

Question 2

How does the Political Action Committee support candidates?

A) "Buys" a candidate
B) Lobby's elected officials
C) Evaluates candidates on nursing and health concerns only
D) Does not endorse candidates for public office

Answer 2

Evaluates candidates on nursing and health concerns only

Question 3

What action makes up a nurse's political savvy? (Select all that apply.)

A) Analyzing a situation
B) Participating in a constructive way
C) Following directions
D) Voicing an opinion
E) Presenting a possible resolution

Answer 3

Analyzing a situation
Participating in a constructive way
Voicing an opinion
Presenting a possible resolution

Question 4

Which strategy is least effective in formulating political action?

A) Ability to communicate information in concise terms
B) Living and practicing in several different states
C) Determining who should be contacted and for what political action
D) Having the ability to use different channels of information

Question 5

The state nurses association writes a new version of the Nurse Practice Act,secures a sponsor in the legislature,and lobbies legislators to adopt the bill.Which of the laws of power would the nurse label this situation?

A) Power is invariably personal.
B) Power invariably fills any vacuum.
C) Power is exercised through and depends on institutions.
D) Power is best exercised via large financial donations to individual legislators.

Question 6

How would a nurse determine the political views regarding health care issues of individuals who are running for public office?

A) Call the state or national political action committee of the American Nurses Association.
B) Talk with the administration of the institution to determine who is supporting health care issues.
C) Call the party headquarters of the candidates and ask them to share the views of the candidate with you.
D) Call the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)and obtain the political action reports.

Question 7

Which statement by the nurse would best represent the purpose of a political action committee (PAC)?

A) A vehicle for nurses across the country to organize collectively to endorse and support candidates for national offices
B) A group of individuals or organizations who share a common interest in a single issue
C) An organizational structure established for the purpose of supporting and fostering changes in the health care system
D) A group that identifies special needs and raises funds to influence politicians to vote in a manner that supports the special needs

Question 8

A group of nurses are concerned about access to health care in rural communities.Which action should they take to voice their concerns?

A) Complain to their coworkers.
B) Form a coalition to be combat the issue.
C) Independently discuss the issues with other staff.
D) Attend monthly staff meetings.

Question 9

The clinical nurse leader makes out the daily assignments.One staff nurse tells another,"Last week I was asked to change my days off so the clinical nurse leader could go to a play in another city.I told the clinical nurse leader I couldn't do it.Ever since then,I've been given the most difficult patients on the unit for my assignment." The staff nurse can label this type of power as:

A) Inherent
B) Referent
C) Legitimate
D) Expert

Question 10

Which of the following statements by the nurse shows understanding of the competence framework?

A) "Competence development is the means by which the nurse gains knowledge,skills,and abilities."
B) "Competence development is the means by which the nurse's knowledge,skills,and abilities are tested."
C) "Competence development refers to health and conduct expectations of the nurse."
D) "Competence development refers to the nurse's ability to perform the functions of the nursing role."

Question 11

What actions can nurses take that would demonstrate the skills necessary to move a vision? (Select all that apply.)

A) Elect decision makers.
B) Refrain from political involvement.
C) Testify before legislative committee hearings.
D) Compromise.
E) Become elected officials.

Question 12

A nurse is actively involved in the political arena and is educating a colleague about becoming involved in the election process.The nurse knows that their teaching has been effective when a colleague states:

A) "Nurses are discouraged from becoming involved in politics."
B) "The election process has nothing to do with nursing."
C) "It is easy for a nurse to become involved in the election process."
D) "Political campaigns never need any help."

Question 13

One of the five laws of power is that "power fills a vacuum." Which statement by the nurse best captures that type of power?

A) "An individual who provides leadership and power to create a strategy that will address a problem and get people to contribute to the effort"
B) "People who are willing to give power to someone in order to restore comfort or handle a dilemma"
C) "An individual who takes action to speak and act on behalf of a group
D) A state nursing association that acts on behalf of the nurses within the respective state"

Question 14

The nurses at Community General Hospital are concerned about violence involving children in their community.They wish to propose to the city government that drug-free and weapons-free zones and corridors be instituted near each school.The nurses send liaisons to the city school board and the parent-teachers association to ask them to join the effort.What is the term for this type of strategy?

A) Forming a coalition
B) Displaying legitimate power
C) Collective bargaining
D) Seeking compromise

Question 15

What action should the student nurse taken to begin networking?

A) Begin networking shortly after starting a new job.
B) Avoid networking and establish a career based on reputation.
C) Begin networking upon graduation.
D) Begin the networking process when a new position is needed.

Question 16

A nurse is educating a group of students about reward power.The nurse knows the teaching has been effective when one of the students says:

A) "Reward power does not actually exist anymore."
B) "Reward power may cause a person to behave in a manner that benefits someone else."
C) "Nurses are not susceptible to reward power."
D) "Reward power only benefits nurses."

Question 17

A nurse plans to lobby a state senator regarding a particular health care bill.Which action would be appropriate?

A) The nurse should be specific about what action the senator should take early in the contact or letter.
B) The nurse should tell the senator that if their advice is followed,the nurse will vote for the senator.
C) The nurse should use a form letter to express personal opinion and encourage as many as possible to mail in the form letter.
D) The nurse should avoid making contact by phone and only submit personal views in writing.

Question 18

Which statement would be accurate of nurses who support collective bargaining?

A) "Collective bargaining has set nursing back."
B) "In general,collective bargaining is ineffective."
C) "Collective bargaining forces positive change in the practice setting."
D) "Collective bargaining forces negative change in the practice setting."

Question 19

A nurse has recently moved from one state to another and wishes to write lawmakers to urge them to vote against a change in the Nurse Practice Act that would replace individual licensure with institutional licensure.What lawmakers should the nurse contact?

A) The city council members
B) The county (parish)legislators
C) The state legislators from the district
D) The federal legislators from the district

Question 20

Which statement by the nurse educator is accurate regarding politics?

A) "Politics involves influencing the allocation of scarce resources."
B) "Politics involves identifying those in a public office that can be influenced."
C) "Politics involves attempting to get people in government positions to think the way you want them to."
D) "Politics involves lobbying for state and federal legislation to improve the quality of nursing care."

Question 21

A nurse is educating coworkers on power.The nurse knows the teaching has been effective when the coworkers state: The sources of power are (Select all that apply.)

A) reward
B) coercive
C) punishment
D) expert
E) legitimate
F) referent

Question 22

A nurse has just moved to a new state and wants to know the names of the state senator(s),state representative(s),federal senator(s),and federal representative(s).How can the nurse find this information?

A) Call the Democratic Party headquarters.
B) Call the Republican Party headquarters.
C) Call the public library.
D) Call the local newspaper.
E) Call Congress.

Question 23

MATCHING
Identify the type of power base associated with each of the following.

Coercive (punishment)

A)Joining a coalition to lobby for a national health insurance plan
B)Organizing nurses to work for the opponent in the next election
C)The dean of the school discussing the educational program
D)Testifying before a committee on a bill
E)A political action committee's endorsement or financial contribution

Question 24

MATCHING
Identify the type of power base associated with each of the following.

Referent (mentor)

A)Joining a coalition to lobby for a national health insurance plan
B)Organizing nurses to work for the opponent in the next election
C)The dean of the school discussing the educational program
D)Testifying before a committee on a bill
E)A political action committee's endorsement or financial contribution

Question 25

MATCHING
Identify the type of power base associated with each of the following.

Expert (informational)

A)Joining a coalition to lobby for a national health insurance plan
B)Organizing nurses to work for the opponent in the next election
C)The dean of the school discussing the educational program
D)Testifying before a committee on a bill
E)A political action committee's endorsement or financial contribution

Question 26

MATCHING
Identify the type of power base associated with each of the following.

Reward

A)Joining a coalition to lobby for a national health insurance plan
B)Organizing nurses to work for the opponent in the next election
C)The dean of the school discussing the educational program
D)Testifying before a committee on a bill
E)A political action committee's endorsement or financial contribution

Question 27

The nurse has an adequate understanding of power when listing which of the following as laws of power? (Select all that apply.)

A) Power invariably fills any vacuum.
B) Power is invariably public.
C) Power is based on a system of ideas and philosophy.
D) Power is exercised through and depends on institutions.
E) Power is invariably confront with and acts in the presence of a field of responsibility.

Question 28

The nurse understands the importance of participation in politics when stating which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

A) "It is important for nursing to be presented in a positive light."
B) "Nurses should fight for better health care for all patients."
C) "Nurses should only worry about what is occurring where they practice nursing."
D) "Nurses should lobby for the availability of health care."
E) "The public should see what nurses really do."

Question 29

MATCHING
Identify the type of power base associated with each of the following.

Legitimate

A)Joining a coalition to lobby for a national health insurance plan
B)Organizing nurses to work for the opponent in the next election
C)The dean of the school discussing the educational program
D)Testifying before a committee on a bill
E)A political action committee's endorsement or financial contribution

Question 30

In what ways can the nurse lobby? (Select all that apply.)

A) Upon meeting the candidate for the first time and assessing knowledge
B) Meet face-to-face with the candidate to discuss the issues.
C) The nurse cannot lobby a candidate.
D) Write a letter to the candidate.
E) Email the candidate.