NR568 ADVANCED HEALTH POLICY
MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. According to Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework, what must occur for a policy window
to open?
A. The judicial branch must rule a previous law unconstitutional.
B. The executive branch must issue a formal decree.
C. Funding must be secured through a federal grant.
D. The problem, policy, and politics streams must converge.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Kingdon suggests that the three ‘streams’ (problem, policy, and
politics) act independently until they converge during a specific window of opportunity,
allowing for policy change.
2. Which of the following describes the ‘Iron Triangle’ of health care?
A. Quality, Safety, and Informatics
B. Cost, Access, and Quality
,C. Education, Practice, and Research
D. Ethics, Law, and Economics
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The Iron Triangle of healthcare illustrates the trade-offs and
relationships between the quality of care, the cost of care, and access to that care.
3. Under the concept of ‘Federalism,’ which entity holds the primary ‘police power’ to protect
public health?
A. The Federal Government
B. The Department of Health and Human Services
C. Municipal City Councils
D. Individual States
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Based on the 10th Amendment, states retain ‘police powers’ to
regulate for the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens, which is not an enumerated
power of the federal government.
4. What is the primary role of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in the legislative
process?
A. To lobby for healthcare spending increases.
B. To sign bills into law once they pass the Senate.
, C. To provide nonpartisan cost estimates and economic projections.
D. To audit the Department of Defense.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The CBO provides nonpartisan ‘scores’ or cost estimates for
proposed legislation, which is critical for policy deliberation regarding fiscal impact.
5. In the context of health policy, what does the term ‘Incrementalism’ refer to?
A. Rapid, sweeping changes to the entire healthcare system.
B. The process of increasing the federal deficit.
C. Decreasing the number of regulations over time.
D. A strategy involving small, step-by-step changes to existing policies.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Incrementalism is the practice of making small, manageable
adjustments to policies rather than large, disruptive shifts, which is common in U.S. health
policy.
6. Which ethical principle is most directly involved when a nurse advocate supports a
patient’s right to refuse treatment?
A. Beneficence
B. Non-maleficence
C. Autonomy
MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. According to Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework, what must occur for a policy window
to open?
A. The judicial branch must rule a previous law unconstitutional.
B. The executive branch must issue a formal decree.
C. Funding must be secured through a federal grant.
D. The problem, policy, and politics streams must converge.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Kingdon suggests that the three ‘streams’ (problem, policy, and
politics) act independently until they converge during a specific window of opportunity,
allowing for policy change.
2. Which of the following describes the ‘Iron Triangle’ of health care?
A. Quality, Safety, and Informatics
B. Cost, Access, and Quality
,C. Education, Practice, and Research
D. Ethics, Law, and Economics
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The Iron Triangle of healthcare illustrates the trade-offs and
relationships between the quality of care, the cost of care, and access to that care.
3. Under the concept of ‘Federalism,’ which entity holds the primary ‘police power’ to protect
public health?
A. The Federal Government
B. The Department of Health and Human Services
C. Municipal City Councils
D. Individual States
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Based on the 10th Amendment, states retain ‘police powers’ to
regulate for the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens, which is not an enumerated
power of the federal government.
4. What is the primary role of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in the legislative
process?
A. To lobby for healthcare spending increases.
B. To sign bills into law once they pass the Senate.
, C. To provide nonpartisan cost estimates and economic projections.
D. To audit the Department of Defense.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The CBO provides nonpartisan ‘scores’ or cost estimates for
proposed legislation, which is critical for policy deliberation regarding fiscal impact.
5. In the context of health policy, what does the term ‘Incrementalism’ refer to?
A. Rapid, sweeping changes to the entire healthcare system.
B. The process of increasing the federal deficit.
C. Decreasing the number of regulations over time.
D. A strategy involving small, step-by-step changes to existing policies.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Incrementalism is the practice of making small, manageable
adjustments to policies rather than large, disruptive shifts, which is common in U.S. health
policy.
6. Which ethical principle is most directly involved when a nurse advocate supports a
patient’s right to refuse treatment?
A. Beneficence
B. Non-maleficence
C. Autonomy
