Question 1

The Office of Homeland Security has a mission to rebuild the crumbling public health infrastructures of each state and to provide:
A) Vaccines for smallpox, anthrax, and plague
B) The regulation of nuclear weapons
C) Surveillance, intervention, and communication in the face of future bioterrorism events
D) The regulation of foreign nurses entering the United States to work

Accepted Answer

The Office of Homeland Security's mission is focused on public health infrastructures and addressing bioterrorism events. Therefore, the provision of surveillance, intervention, and communication in the face of future bioterrorism events is the best choice. Vaccines and nuclear weapons regulation are important issues but are not directly related to the mission of the Office of Homeland Security. The regulation of foreign nurses is also important but falls under the purview of other government agencies.

Question 2

Healthy People 2010:
A) Documents goals of a vision for healthy people living in healthy communities
B) Is an extension of public health policy
C) Calls for a cure for cancer by 2010
D) Calls for an end to bioterrorism

Accepted Answer

Healthy People 2010 is a document that outlines specific goals and objectives for improving the health of Americans by the year 2010. It focuses on promoting healthy behaviors, preventing disease, and improving the overall quality of life for individuals and communities. It is not an extension of public health policy nor does it call for a cure for cancer or an end to bioterrorism.

Question 3

Which department delivers health care to members of the military?
A) The Department of Defense
B) The Department of Labor
C) The Department of Agriculture
D) The Department of Justice

Accepted Answer

The Department of Defense (DoD) is responsible for providing health care to members of the military through the Military Health System (MHS). The MHS operates military hospitals and clinics and provides health care to active duty, their dependents, and retirees. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. The Department of Labor deals with worker rights and benefits, the Department of Agriculture is responsible for agricultural policy and programs, and the Department of Justice is responsible for enforcing federal law.

Question 4

There are three branches of federal and state government: executive, legislative, and judicial. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) falls under what branch?
A) Judicial
B) Executive
C) Legislative
D) Health

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) falls under the executive branch of the federal government, as it is a federal agency responsible for implementing and enforcing policies and programs related to health and human services at the federal level.

Question 5

Which of the following made nurses available to provide health services for women and children?
A) Sheppard Tower Act
B) Public Protection of Maternity and Infancy
C) Early Periodic Screening and Developmental Testing Program (EPSDT)
D) Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC)

Accepted Answer

The Sheppard-Towner Act, also known as the Maternity and Infancy Protection Act of 1921, provided federal funding for maternity and child care, making nurses available to provide health services for women and children.

Question 6

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has which of the following important features?
A) Provides insurance for children and families who cannot otherwise afford health insurance.
B) Addresses the public health system's preparedness for bioterrorism.
C) Allows the federal, state, and local governments to carry out four health care functions: direct services, financing, information, and policy setting.
D) Allows working people to keep their employee group health insurance for several months after leaving a job.

Accepted Answer

HIPAA includes provisions that allow individuals to maintain their health insurance coverage for a limited time after leaving employment, known as COBRA continuation coverage.

Question 7

A nurse is interested in census data. What federal department's website would be a good place to start?
A) Department of Labor
B) U.S. Immunization Survey
C) Department of Commerce
D) World Health Organization

Accepted Answer

The Department of Commerce oversees the U.S. Census Bureau, which collects and publishes official data on population, demographics, and other economic and social indicators. This would be the best choice for a nurse interested in census data. None of the other options listed are dedicated to collecting and publishing census data.

Question 8

If a nurse researcher wants to get information on the occurrence of an internationally important disease, where would be a good place to seek this information?
A) The United Nations website
B) The World Health Organization website
C) The World Bank website
D) The state health department

Accepted Answer

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the international authority on health, and is responsible for reporting on the occurrence of diseases worldwide. Therefore, it would be a good place for a nurse researcher to seek information on the occurrence of an internationally important disease.

Question 9

Needle stick legislation passed by Congress that became law on November 6, 2000, caused OSHA to revise its Bloodborne Pathogen Standards. This act clarified the role of employers to:
A) Use Universal Precautions when dealing with all patients
B) Select safer needle devices as they became available
C) Provide needle disposal boxes
D) Incinerate all infectious waste including needles

Accepted Answer

The Needle Stick Safety and Prevention Act of 2000 required employers to stay current with advances in sharps safety technology and to select safer needle devices as they become available. This helps to reduce the risk of needlestick injuries, which can result in the transmission of bloodborne diseases. While employers are also required to use Universal Precautions when dealing with all patients and provide needle disposal boxes, these were already part of OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standards before the act was passed. Incinerating all infectious waste including needles is not specifically mentioned in the act or OSHA's standards.

Question 10

When state and local governments provide health care services to all individuals, such as hypertension or tuberculosis screening or immunization for children, they are providing which general category of health care functions?
A) Direct services
B) Financing
C) Information
D) Policy setting

Accepted Answer

These services directly provide care to individuals, which falls under the category of direct services. Financing involves the funding of health care services, information involves collecting and disseminating health care information, and policy setting involves developing laws and regulations around health care.

Question 11

When Congress decides that states will administer a program rather than the federal government, money is given to states as block grants. One effect of block grants is:
A) Reduction of federal expenditures
B) Decreased ability of the state to spend the money for programs designated by the state
C) Guaranteed continuation of programs with demonstrated effectiveness

Accepted Answer

Block grants shift the responsibility of administering a program to the states, which reduces the federal government's expenditures. States are given more flexibility in deciding how to use the funds, but this may result in less oversight and accountability. There is no guarantee of continuation of programs with demonstrated effectiveness under block grants.

Question 12

The first major federal government action relating to health was the:
A) Passage of the Social Security Act
B) Creation of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
C) Creation of the Public Health Service (PHS)
D) Creation of Medicare and Medicaid

Accepted Answer

The first major federal government action relating to health was the creation of the Public Health Service (PHS) in 1798, which was established to promote the health of sailors and maintain the cleanliness of ports. The other options listed represent significant actions but came later in history. The Social Security Act was passed in 1935 and included provisions for health insurance programs, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was created in 1930 to support medical research, and Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965 to provide health insurance for elderly and low-income Americans, respectively.

Question 13

Action taken to protect the health, safety, and welfare of citizens, such as requiring immunizations of children before admission to school, is called what kind of power?
A) Executive
B) Legislative
C) Judicial
D) Police

Accepted Answer

The power to protect the health, safety, and welfare of citizens is typically referred to as police power. This power is held primarily by state governments and enables them to enact laws and regulations that promote public health and safety, such as immunization requirements for school admission. Executive, legislative, and judicial powers refer to different branches of government or types of authority.

Question 14

Federal legislation concerning the environment would most likely be implemented and monitored by:
A) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
B) The Supreme Court
C) The Environmental Protection Agency
D) The state health department

Accepted Answer

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency responsible for implementing and monitoring federal legislation concerning the environment, such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. OSHA is responsible for workplace safety regulations, the Supreme Court interprets laws and resolves legal disputes, and state health departments may have some role in enforcing environmental regulations within their state, but none of these entities would be the primary agency responsible for enforcing federal environmental laws.

Question 15

A doctoral prepared nurse (PhD) at a university wishes to submit a grant to study the impact of a nursing activity on patient outcomes. From which of the following federal agencies could this nurse potentially seek funding?
A) United Nations (UN)
B) National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
C) Department of Health and Human Services
D) World Health Organization (WHO)

Accepted Answer

The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) is a federal agency that funds research on the impact of nursing interventions on patient outcomes, making it a suitable funding source for the doctoral prepared nurse's proposed study. The United Nations (UN) and World Health Organization (WHO) are international organizations that focus on global health initiatives and may not provide funding for specific nursing research projects. The Department of Health and Human Services is a federal agency that oversees many healthcare initiatives but does not exclusively fund nursing research.

Question 16

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has been a long-standing contributor to the improved health status of Americans through the programs of services and health professions education that it funds. The Division of Nursing has the following specific goals:
A) To enhance nursing's competence in providing high-tech skills including the use of robotics
B) To apply disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion
C) To provide scholarships for nursing students
D) To enhance racial and ethnic diversity and cultural competency in the nursing workforce

Accepted Answer

The Division of Nursing's specific goal of enhancing racial and ethnic diversity and cultural competency in the nursing workforce aligns with HRSA's overall goal of improving the health status of Americans by promoting health equity and addressing healthcare disparities. The other choices (A, B, and C) are not specific goals of the Division of Nursing within HRSA.

Question 17

The federal government has the authority to provide for the protection of the public's health. Some examples of this include:
A) Interpreting decisions related to women's right to privacy
B) Setting up immunization clinics for smallpox vaccine
C) Regulating nursing at the state level
D) Air and water quality and protecting against the influx of disease at the borders

Accepted Answer

The federal government has the authority to regulate air and water quality and protect against diseases at the borders through agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Interpreting decisions related to women's right to privacy is a matter for the judicial branch, setting up immunization clinics is typically the responsibility of state and local governments, and regulating nursing is typically done at the state level.

Question 18

The process of shifting planning, delivering, and financing responsibility for programs from the federal level to the state is called:
A) Evolution
B) Devolution
C) Block granting
D) State administration

Accepted Answer

Devolution is the process of shifting responsibilities for programs from the federal level to the state. This includes planning, delivering, and financing responsibility for programs. Block granting is a form of devolution where federal funds are given to states in block grants, which they can use to fund programs in a way that suits their individual needs. State administration refers to the management of programs at the state level, but does not necessarily involve a shift in responsibility from the federal level. Evolution is not a term typically used in this context.

Question 19

The branch of the government involved in interpreting the states' rights to grant abortions is the:
A) Executive branch
B) Legislative branch
C) Judicial branch

Accepted Answer

The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting the Constitution and determining the constitutionality of laws and policies, including those related to abortion and states' rights. This is done through court cases and decisions such as Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. The executive and legislative branches do play a role in shaping abortion policies through their actions and decisions, but the ultimate authority for interpreting the Constitution rests with the judicial branch.

Question 20

Nurses are an important part of the health care system and are affected by government and legal systems. What role does health policy have for nurses?
A) Nurses must be aware of the impact of government and policy on nursing and health in the community in which they practice.
B) Policy affects nursing values as set forth my Florence Nightingale.
C) Political science is a course of study that parallels nursing.
D) After a law is established, nurses interpret the law to fit their practice.

Accepted Answer

Health policy has a significant role for nurses as it affects their practice, decisions, and the health of the communities they serve. Nurses need to stay informed about government policies and regulations related to nursing and healthcare to provide safe and effective care to patients. They must also advocate for policies that promote health and wellbeing while addressing issues such as healthcare disparities, access to care, and quality improvement.

Quiz 8: Public Health Policy

The Office of Homeland Security has a mission to rebuild the crumbling public health infrastructures of each state and to provide:

Healthy People 2010:

Which department delivers health care to members of the military?

There are three branches of federal and state government: executive, legislative, and judicial. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) falls under what branch?

Which of the following made nurses available to provide health services for women and children?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has which of the following important features?

A nurse is interested in census data. What federal department's website would be a good place to start?

If a nurse researcher wants to get information on the occurrence of an internationally important disease, where would be a good place to seek this information?

Needle stick legislation passed by Congress that became law on November 6, 2000, caused OSHA to revise its Bloodborne Pathogen Standards. This act clarified the role of employers to:

When state and local governments provide health care services to all individuals, such as hypertension or tuberculosis screening or immunization for children, they are providing which general category of health care functions?

When Congress decides that states will administer a program rather than the federal government, money is given to states as block grants. One effect of block grants is:

The first major federal government action relating to health was the:

Action taken to protect the health, safety, and welfare of citizens, such as requiring immunizations of children before admission to school, is called what kind of power?

Federal legislation concerning the environment would most likely be implemented and monitored by:

A doctoral prepared nurse (PhD) at a university wishes to submit a grant to study the impact of a nursing activity on patient outcomes. From which of the following federal agencies could this nurse potentially seek funding?

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has been a long-standing contributor to the improved health status of Americans through the programs of services and health professions education that it funds. The Division of Nursing has the following specific goals:

The federal government has the authority to provide for the protection of the public's health. Some examples of this include:

The process of shifting planning, delivering, and financing responsibility for programs from the federal level to the state is called:

The branch of the government involved in interpreting the states' rights to grant abortions is the:

Nurses are an important part of the health care system and are affected by government and legal systems. What role does health policy have for nurses?