,NSG 505 Health Policy & Politics for Advanced
Nursing Exam 1 Study Guide Wilkes University
150 Q&A + Rationales | 2026/2027
1. A nurse practitioner is reviewing a proposed state bill that would expand Medicaid coverage
for low-income adults. The nurse analyzes the bill's potential effects on access to care, cost, and
health outcomes for vulnerable populations. This analysis is an example of:
A. Clinical advocacy
B. Policy analysis
C. Individual advocacy
D. Direct patient care
Correct Answer: B. Policy analysis
Rationale: Policy analysis is the systematic process of examining an issue, its context, and the
potential effects of proposed policies. The nurse is analyzing the anticipated health, economic,
and ethical outcomes of the policy, which is the core of policy analysis. Clinical advocacy and
individual advocacy focus on direct patient-level actions, while direct patient care is a clinical
activity, not policy analysis .
2. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of health policy in the United
States?
A. To reduce healthcare costs for all citizens
B. To protect and promote the health of individuals and populations
,C. To increase the profits of healthcare organizations
D. To limit access to healthcare services
Correct Answer: B. To protect and promote the health of individuals and populations
Rationale: Health policy encompasses decisions, plans, and actions undertaken to achieve
specific healthcare goals within a society. The primary purpose is to protect and promote the
health of individuals and populations through legislation, regulation, and resource allocation.
While cost reduction is a component, the overarching goal is health improvement and
protection .
3. A nurse is advocating for legislation to expand Medicaid coverage in their state. This action is
an example of which type of advocacy?
A. Individual advocacy
B. Systems-level advocacy
C. Clinical advocacy
D. Passive advocacy
Correct Answer: B. Systems-level advocacy
Rationale: Systems-level advocacy involves working to change policies, systems, or laws that
affect populations or communities. Advocating for legislation to expand Medicaid coverage is a
systems-level action because it aims to change the healthcare system to improve access for a
population. Individual advocacy focuses on a single patient, clinical advocacy involves direct
patient care, and passive advocacy is not a recognized category .
, 4. The "policy-making process" in the United States typically follows which sequence?
A. Agenda setting, policy formulation, policy adoption, policy implementation, policy evaluation
B. Policy formulation, agenda setting, policy adoption, policy evaluation, policy implementation
C. Agenda setting, policy adoption, policy formulation, policy implementation, policy evaluation
D. Policy formulation, policy adoption, agenda setting, policy evaluation, policy implementation
Correct Answer: A. Agenda setting, policy formulation, policy adoption, policy implementation,
policy evaluation
Rationale: The policy-making process typically follows this sequence: agenda setting (identifying
problems requiring government attention), policy formulation (developing proposed solutions),
policy adoption (legislative approval), policy implementation (putting policies into action), and
policy evaluation (assessing effectiveness). This cyclical process allows for ongoing refinement of
policies .
5. Which branch of government is primarily responsible for enacting legislation related to
healthcare policy?
A. Executive branch
B. Judicial branch
C. Legislative branch
D. Administrative branch
Nursing Exam 1 Study Guide Wilkes University
150 Q&A + Rationales | 2026/2027
1. A nurse practitioner is reviewing a proposed state bill that would expand Medicaid coverage
for low-income adults. The nurse analyzes the bill's potential effects on access to care, cost, and
health outcomes for vulnerable populations. This analysis is an example of:
A. Clinical advocacy
B. Policy analysis
C. Individual advocacy
D. Direct patient care
Correct Answer: B. Policy analysis
Rationale: Policy analysis is the systematic process of examining an issue, its context, and the
potential effects of proposed policies. The nurse is analyzing the anticipated health, economic,
and ethical outcomes of the policy, which is the core of policy analysis. Clinical advocacy and
individual advocacy focus on direct patient-level actions, while direct patient care is a clinical
activity, not policy analysis .
2. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of health policy in the United
States?
A. To reduce healthcare costs for all citizens
B. To protect and promote the health of individuals and populations
,C. To increase the profits of healthcare organizations
D. To limit access to healthcare services
Correct Answer: B. To protect and promote the health of individuals and populations
Rationale: Health policy encompasses decisions, plans, and actions undertaken to achieve
specific healthcare goals within a society. The primary purpose is to protect and promote the
health of individuals and populations through legislation, regulation, and resource allocation.
While cost reduction is a component, the overarching goal is health improvement and
protection .
3. A nurse is advocating for legislation to expand Medicaid coverage in their state. This action is
an example of which type of advocacy?
A. Individual advocacy
B. Systems-level advocacy
C. Clinical advocacy
D. Passive advocacy
Correct Answer: B. Systems-level advocacy
Rationale: Systems-level advocacy involves working to change policies, systems, or laws that
affect populations or communities. Advocating for legislation to expand Medicaid coverage is a
systems-level action because it aims to change the healthcare system to improve access for a
population. Individual advocacy focuses on a single patient, clinical advocacy involves direct
patient care, and passive advocacy is not a recognized category .
, 4. The "policy-making process" in the United States typically follows which sequence?
A. Agenda setting, policy formulation, policy adoption, policy implementation, policy evaluation
B. Policy formulation, agenda setting, policy adoption, policy evaluation, policy implementation
C. Agenda setting, policy adoption, policy formulation, policy implementation, policy evaluation
D. Policy formulation, policy adoption, agenda setting, policy evaluation, policy implementation
Correct Answer: A. Agenda setting, policy formulation, policy adoption, policy implementation,
policy evaluation
Rationale: The policy-making process typically follows this sequence: agenda setting (identifying
problems requiring government attention), policy formulation (developing proposed solutions),
policy adoption (legislative approval), policy implementation (putting policies into action), and
policy evaluation (assessing effectiveness). This cyclical process allows for ongoing refinement of
policies .
5. Which branch of government is primarily responsible for enacting legislation related to
healthcare policy?
A. Executive branch
B. Judicial branch
C. Legislative branch
D. Administrative branch
