WGU D545 OA Practice Questions & Answers – Healthcare
Administration Evolution, Systems, and Leadership (Updated
2026).
, 1. health care ANSWER an act or deed between the healthcare provider and the
patient to maintain or improve the patient's healthcare status
2. biomedical model ANSWER a theoretical framework in healthcare that views
illness and disease as primarily resulting from biological factors
3. holistic health ANSWER an approach to wellness that simultaneously addresses
the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual components of health
4. holistic medicine ANSWER the practice of healthcare professionals using a diverse
range of disciplines, religious philosophies, and cultural practices to heal individuals,
communities, and the environment
5. functional organizational structure ANSWER The organization is split into
departments based on the employees' expertise, such as the manager or chief executive
officer, commercial and marketing, finance, accounting, managerial, facilities, etc.
6. functional organizational structure advantages ANSWER -Enhanced
coordination & control
-Centralized decision-making
-Enhanced organizational-level perspective
-More efficient use of managerial & technical talent
-Facilitated career paths in specialized areas
7. functional organizational structure disadvantages ANSWER Specialization can
lead to departments operating in silos
Potential for decreased communication Narrow business perspectives
8. multi-divisional organizational structure ANSWER The chief corporation
comprises sev- eral smaller business units or divisions based on geographic locations,
products, or services so that the daily processes or functions occur at the unit or
divisional level, allowing the separate units or divisions to operate independently
9. multi-divisional organizational structure advantages ANSWER Ability to hold
corporate executives accountable for the results of local operations that are within their
control
10. multi-divisional organizational structure disadvantages ANSWER Duplication of
func- tions, such as products and services across divisions, which threatens the quality
and costs of healthcare
Increased operational costs due to the inability to achieve economies of scale Leads to a
lack of standardization and inefficiencies
11. Matrix organizational structure ANSWER comprises the functional structure and
,a tem- porary project structure, which requires using two managers simultaneously
12. Matrix organizational structure advantages ANSWER Clearly defined project
objec- tives Seamless integration of project and functional objectives Efficient use of
limited human
, resources
Fluid streaming of information throughout the project
Prompt diffusion of team members back into the functional organization upon project
completion without organizational disruption
Ability of functional management to handle conflicts arising at the project level
13. Matrix organizational structure disadvantages ANSWER Increases the
complexity of the organization Problems derived from having employees answer to too
many bosses and having conflicting managerial directives Difficulty in establishing
priorities for functional and project management Delay in management reactions
14. accountable care organization (ACO) ANSWER
a network of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers that voluntarily come
together to provide coordinated, high-quality care to their patients
15. managed care organization (MCO) ANSWER a type of healthcare delivery system
that aims to manage the cost, quality, and accessibility of healthcare services; MCOs are
commonly associated with HMOs, PPOs, and POS plans
16. delivery ANSWER the provision of healthcare services by various providers in
exchange for payment for services rendered
17. health maintenance organization ANSWER a type of managed care organization
that provides health insurance coverage through a network of healthcare providers who
offer services to members for a fixed fee
18. Integrated Delivery System (IDS) ANSWER a network of organizations that
provides or arranges to provide an organized variety of services to specific populations and
is held accountable for the outcomes and health status of those populations
19. consumer-driven health plan (CDHP) ANSWER (also known as a high-deductible
health plan) a type of health insurance plan that encourages individuals to manage their
healthcare costs
20. Fee-for-service (FFS) ANSWER a system wherein healthcare is provided as
individual units of service, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other X-ray,
medical examination, flu shot, or other service
21. preferred provider ANSWER a type of organization that provides services based
on contracts with groups of physicians and hospitals that are referred to as preferred
providers
22. First contact as the gateway to the healthcare system. ANSWER primary care
23. Occur when needed after the patient has been seen at primary care. ANSWER
Administration Evolution, Systems, and Leadership (Updated
2026).
, 1. health care ANSWER an act or deed between the healthcare provider and the
patient to maintain or improve the patient's healthcare status
2. biomedical model ANSWER a theoretical framework in healthcare that views
illness and disease as primarily resulting from biological factors
3. holistic health ANSWER an approach to wellness that simultaneously addresses
the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual components of health
4. holistic medicine ANSWER the practice of healthcare professionals using a diverse
range of disciplines, religious philosophies, and cultural practices to heal individuals,
communities, and the environment
5. functional organizational structure ANSWER The organization is split into
departments based on the employees' expertise, such as the manager or chief executive
officer, commercial and marketing, finance, accounting, managerial, facilities, etc.
6. functional organizational structure advantages ANSWER -Enhanced
coordination & control
-Centralized decision-making
-Enhanced organizational-level perspective
-More efficient use of managerial & technical talent
-Facilitated career paths in specialized areas
7. functional organizational structure disadvantages ANSWER Specialization can
lead to departments operating in silos
Potential for decreased communication Narrow business perspectives
8. multi-divisional organizational structure ANSWER The chief corporation
comprises sev- eral smaller business units or divisions based on geographic locations,
products, or services so that the daily processes or functions occur at the unit or
divisional level, allowing the separate units or divisions to operate independently
9. multi-divisional organizational structure advantages ANSWER Ability to hold
corporate executives accountable for the results of local operations that are within their
control
10. multi-divisional organizational structure disadvantages ANSWER Duplication of
func- tions, such as products and services across divisions, which threatens the quality
and costs of healthcare
Increased operational costs due to the inability to achieve economies of scale Leads to a
lack of standardization and inefficiencies
11. Matrix organizational structure ANSWER comprises the functional structure and
,a tem- porary project structure, which requires using two managers simultaneously
12. Matrix organizational structure advantages ANSWER Clearly defined project
objec- tives Seamless integration of project and functional objectives Efficient use of
limited human
, resources
Fluid streaming of information throughout the project
Prompt diffusion of team members back into the functional organization upon project
completion without organizational disruption
Ability of functional management to handle conflicts arising at the project level
13. Matrix organizational structure disadvantages ANSWER Increases the
complexity of the organization Problems derived from having employees answer to too
many bosses and having conflicting managerial directives Difficulty in establishing
priorities for functional and project management Delay in management reactions
14. accountable care organization (ACO) ANSWER
a network of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers that voluntarily come
together to provide coordinated, high-quality care to their patients
15. managed care organization (MCO) ANSWER a type of healthcare delivery system
that aims to manage the cost, quality, and accessibility of healthcare services; MCOs are
commonly associated with HMOs, PPOs, and POS plans
16. delivery ANSWER the provision of healthcare services by various providers in
exchange for payment for services rendered
17. health maintenance organization ANSWER a type of managed care organization
that provides health insurance coverage through a network of healthcare providers who
offer services to members for a fixed fee
18. Integrated Delivery System (IDS) ANSWER a network of organizations that
provides or arranges to provide an organized variety of services to specific populations and
is held accountable for the outcomes and health status of those populations
19. consumer-driven health plan (CDHP) ANSWER (also known as a high-deductible
health plan) a type of health insurance plan that encourages individuals to manage their
healthcare costs
20. Fee-for-service (FFS) ANSWER a system wherein healthcare is provided as
individual units of service, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other X-ray,
medical examination, flu shot, or other service
21. preferred provider ANSWER a type of organization that provides services based
on contracts with groups of physicians and hospitals that are referred to as preferred
providers
22. First contact as the gateway to the healthcare system. ANSWER primary care
23. Occur when needed after the patient has been seen at primary care. ANSWER
