,NSG 505 Health Policy & Politics for Advanced
Nursing Exam 2 Study Guide Wilkes University
150 Q&A + Rationales | 2026/2027
1. A nurse practitioner is conducting a policy analysis of a proposed state bill that would expand
Medicaid coverage for low-income adults. Which of the following is the FIRST step in the policy
analysis process?
A. Evaluating the policy's effectiveness after implementation
B. Defining the problem and its context
C. Lobbying legislators for the policy's passage
D. Drafting the legislative language
Correct Answer: B. Defining the problem and its context
Rationale: The first step in policy analysis is defining the problem and its context. This involves
understanding the nature and scope of the problem, identifying stakeholders, and assessing the
political, economic, and social environment. Without a clear problem definition, subsequent
analysis and recommendations may be misdirected .
2. According to Kingdon's Multiple Streams Framework, which stream is characterized by the
"national mood," interest group pressure, and administrative changes?
A. Problem stream
B. Policy stream
C. Politics stream
,D. Solution stream
Correct Answer: C. Politics stream
Rationale: Kingdon's Multiple Streams Framework identifies three streams: the problem stream
(conditions defined as problems), the policy stream (proposed solutions developed by experts),
and the politics stream (national mood, interest group pressure, and administrative turnover).
Policy change occurs when the three streams converge, opening a "policy window" .
3. A nurse is analyzing a policy that benefits one group at the expense of others for the public
good. This is an example of:
A. Regulatory policy
B. Allocative policy
C. Distributive policy
D. Self-regulatory policy
Correct Answer: B. Allocative policy
Rationale: Allocative policies benefit one group at the expense of others for the public good.
Examples include Medicaid and Medicare, which redistribute resources from taxpayers to
beneficiaries. Regulatory policies influence behavior, and distributive policies distribute
resources broadly .
, 4. Which of the following is TRUE regarding the "policy window" in Kingdon's Multiple Streams
Framework?
A. It is always open for policy entrepreneurs
B. It opens when the problem, policy, and politics streams converge
C. It is controlled by the judicial branch
D. It only opens during election years
Correct Answer: B. It opens when the problem, policy, and politics streams converge
Rationale: The policy window opens when the three streams (problem, policy, politics)
converge, creating a brief opportunity for policy entrepreneurs to advance their proposed
solutions. Policy windows are temporary and require timely action to capitalize on the
opportunity .
5. A nurse practitioner is using a policy analysis framework to evaluate a proposed policy. Which
of the following is a key component of a comprehensive policy analysis?
A. Identifying the problem and its context only
B. Examining alternative solutions only
C. Assessing the political feasibility of the policy only
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Nursing Exam 2 Study Guide Wilkes University
150 Q&A + Rationales | 2026/2027
1. A nurse practitioner is conducting a policy analysis of a proposed state bill that would expand
Medicaid coverage for low-income adults. Which of the following is the FIRST step in the policy
analysis process?
A. Evaluating the policy's effectiveness after implementation
B. Defining the problem and its context
C. Lobbying legislators for the policy's passage
D. Drafting the legislative language
Correct Answer: B. Defining the problem and its context
Rationale: The first step in policy analysis is defining the problem and its context. This involves
understanding the nature and scope of the problem, identifying stakeholders, and assessing the
political, economic, and social environment. Without a clear problem definition, subsequent
analysis and recommendations may be misdirected .
2. According to Kingdon's Multiple Streams Framework, which stream is characterized by the
"national mood," interest group pressure, and administrative changes?
A. Problem stream
B. Policy stream
C. Politics stream
,D. Solution stream
Correct Answer: C. Politics stream
Rationale: Kingdon's Multiple Streams Framework identifies three streams: the problem stream
(conditions defined as problems), the policy stream (proposed solutions developed by experts),
and the politics stream (national mood, interest group pressure, and administrative turnover).
Policy change occurs when the three streams converge, opening a "policy window" .
3. A nurse is analyzing a policy that benefits one group at the expense of others for the public
good. This is an example of:
A. Regulatory policy
B. Allocative policy
C. Distributive policy
D. Self-regulatory policy
Correct Answer: B. Allocative policy
Rationale: Allocative policies benefit one group at the expense of others for the public good.
Examples include Medicaid and Medicare, which redistribute resources from taxpayers to
beneficiaries. Regulatory policies influence behavior, and distributive policies distribute
resources broadly .
, 4. Which of the following is TRUE regarding the "policy window" in Kingdon's Multiple Streams
Framework?
A. It is always open for policy entrepreneurs
B. It opens when the problem, policy, and politics streams converge
C. It is controlled by the judicial branch
D. It only opens during election years
Correct Answer: B. It opens when the problem, policy, and politics streams converge
Rationale: The policy window opens when the three streams (problem, policy, politics)
converge, creating a brief opportunity for policy entrepreneurs to advance their proposed
solutions. Policy windows are temporary and require timely action to capitalize on the
opportunity .
5. A nurse practitioner is using a policy analysis framework to evaluate a proposed policy. Which
of the following is a key component of a comprehensive policy analysis?
A. Identifying the problem and its context only
B. Examining alternative solutions only
C. Assessing the political feasibility of the policy only
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
