Community Nursing Test Banks
Which of the following critical issues in health care were addressed by The Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996? (Select all that apply.)
a. Portability of insurance coverage
b. COBRA, maintaining coverage for those
who lose their jobs
c. Insurance companies having a total
monopoly in a certain geographic area
d. Insurance companies setting limits on
coverage of longer than 12 months
e. Insurance companies charging seriously
ill persons more than healthy persons
f. Insurance companies paying the same for
mental health coverage as for physical
illnesses
ANS: A, D
The HIPAA of 1996 addressed insurance issues. Critical were the portability of coverage
and preexisting conditions. Insurers cannot set limits on coverage longer than 12 months.
COBRA was established through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of
1985. The McCarren-Ferguson Act of 1945 gave states the exclusive right to regulate health
insurance plans. The Mental Health Parity and Addictions Equity Act of 2008 mandated
that insurance companies must provide the same coverage for mental health as for physical
illness. Health Care Reform legislation prevents insurance companies from charging
seriously ill persons more than healthy persons.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 175
Why did local and state governments start to become more involved in controlling disease?
a. Hospitals were becoming overcrowded.
b. Businesses were unable to make a profit
when employees were ill.
c. Physicians demanded government support
in their individual efforts.
, d. Citizens were becoming upset with local
conditions.
ANS: D
Community outcry for social reform forced state and local governments to take notice of
deplorable conditions and take more responsibility for controlling the spread of bacteria
and other microorganisms. Hospital overcrowding, unprofitability of businesses, and
physician demand for government support did not influence the increased involvement of
local and state governments.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 26
Why are high-risk and vulnerable subpopulations identified by public health nurses before deciding on
appropriate interventions?
a. It is easiest to make improvements among
these groups.
b. Populations are not homogeneous, and
resources are limited.
c. Such groups are most vocal about their
needs and wants.
d. These groups are often recipients of
special funding.
ANS: B
Populations are not all the same. The needs of subpopulations must be assessed. The high-
risk and vulnerable subpopulations must be identified early. Those individuals who do not
receive service early become very expensive high-cost users later.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 16
Which of the following best describes the primary reason that Americans are concerned about health
care?
a. Politicians are discussing how to improve
health care.
b. The media has provided mixed messages
about the health care system.
c. Our national health care costs keep
increasing.
, d. The new health care system offers free
services to Americans.
ANS: C
The primary reason for the focus on health care is the constantly increasing costs, which
cannot be sustained. The costs of caring for the sick accounted for the majority of
escalating health care dollars, which increased from 5.7% of the gross domestic product in
1965 to 17.6% in 2009.
Politicians and the media both influence Americans’ perceptions about health care;
however, they are not the primary reason why Americans are concerned. The new health
care system will change the health care access and availability, but will not necessarily be
offering any free services to Americans.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 2
Why would a public health nurse want to know about morbidity and mortality statistics on the local,
state, and national level?
a. To be able to share current trends in
health problems with the community
b. To be able to observe the community’s
statistics over time and compare the
community with other communities
c. To justify local budgets and the need for
increased income from citizens
d. To publicize current health issues and
suggest appropriate actions to citizens
ANS: B
Although being informed and being able to educate the public is always preferred and
nurses often do have to justify budgets, data are needed to compare the local community
with itself over time and with other communities so that problems may be recognized and
action taken to confront health issues. The first step is always to recognize problems as they
develop.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: p. 5
Which variable has a major influence on a community’s health?
a. Behavior choices made by persons in the
, community
b. Number of health care providers and
hospitals in the community
c. Quality of the public safety officers
(police officers, firefighters, etc.)
d. The number and credentials of public
health officials in the community
ANS: A
Individual behavior choices and environmental factors are responsible for about 70% of
health outcomes. Individual choices are affected through interaction with other individuals,
and their mutual social and physical environments. Health care providers are responsible
for only 10% of the outcome. The quality of public safety officers and number of public
health officials have not been identified as major contributors to the determinants of
health.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: p. 4
Which of the following statements best describes why there is an increased need for advanced practice
nurses in primary care?
a. Clinics are being built in many
middleclass neighborhoods.
b. Hospitals are increasing their number of
beds.
c. More nurses are choosing to obtain
master’s degrees.
d. Most physicians are specialists.
ANS: D
Because so many physicians are specialists and there is increasing demand for primary care
providers, there are increased opportunities for advanced practice nurses in primary care.
Hospitals are decreasing the number of beds, not increasing them.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 30
2. A nurse has begun to lobby with politicians for changes to the health care system. Why is this
involvement important?
a. Nurses, as central characters in several
Which of the following critical issues in health care were addressed by The Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996? (Select all that apply.)
a. Portability of insurance coverage
b. COBRA, maintaining coverage for those
who lose their jobs
c. Insurance companies having a total
monopoly in a certain geographic area
d. Insurance companies setting limits on
coverage of longer than 12 months
e. Insurance companies charging seriously
ill persons more than healthy persons
f. Insurance companies paying the same for
mental health coverage as for physical
illnesses
ANS: A, D
The HIPAA of 1996 addressed insurance issues. Critical were the portability of coverage
and preexisting conditions. Insurers cannot set limits on coverage longer than 12 months.
COBRA was established through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of
1985. The McCarren-Ferguson Act of 1945 gave states the exclusive right to regulate health
insurance plans. The Mental Health Parity and Addictions Equity Act of 2008 mandated
that insurance companies must provide the same coverage for mental health as for physical
illness. Health Care Reform legislation prevents insurance companies from charging
seriously ill persons more than healthy persons.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 175
Why did local and state governments start to become more involved in controlling disease?
a. Hospitals were becoming overcrowded.
b. Businesses were unable to make a profit
when employees were ill.
c. Physicians demanded government support
in their individual efforts.
, d. Citizens were becoming upset with local
conditions.
ANS: D
Community outcry for social reform forced state and local governments to take notice of
deplorable conditions and take more responsibility for controlling the spread of bacteria
and other microorganisms. Hospital overcrowding, unprofitability of businesses, and
physician demand for government support did not influence the increased involvement of
local and state governments.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 26
Why are high-risk and vulnerable subpopulations identified by public health nurses before deciding on
appropriate interventions?
a. It is easiest to make improvements among
these groups.
b. Populations are not homogeneous, and
resources are limited.
c. Such groups are most vocal about their
needs and wants.
d. These groups are often recipients of
special funding.
ANS: B
Populations are not all the same. The needs of subpopulations must be assessed. The high-
risk and vulnerable subpopulations must be identified early. Those individuals who do not
receive service early become very expensive high-cost users later.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 16
Which of the following best describes the primary reason that Americans are concerned about health
care?
a. Politicians are discussing how to improve
health care.
b. The media has provided mixed messages
about the health care system.
c. Our national health care costs keep
increasing.
, d. The new health care system offers free
services to Americans.
ANS: C
The primary reason for the focus on health care is the constantly increasing costs, which
cannot be sustained. The costs of caring for the sick accounted for the majority of
escalating health care dollars, which increased from 5.7% of the gross domestic product in
1965 to 17.6% in 2009.
Politicians and the media both influence Americans’ perceptions about health care;
however, they are not the primary reason why Americans are concerned. The new health
care system will change the health care access and availability, but will not necessarily be
offering any free services to Americans.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 2
Why would a public health nurse want to know about morbidity and mortality statistics on the local,
state, and national level?
a. To be able to share current trends in
health problems with the community
b. To be able to observe the community’s
statistics over time and compare the
community with other communities
c. To justify local budgets and the need for
increased income from citizens
d. To publicize current health issues and
suggest appropriate actions to citizens
ANS: B
Although being informed and being able to educate the public is always preferred and
nurses often do have to justify budgets, data are needed to compare the local community
with itself over time and with other communities so that problems may be recognized and
action taken to confront health issues. The first step is always to recognize problems as they
develop.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: p. 5
Which variable has a major influence on a community’s health?
a. Behavior choices made by persons in the
, community
b. Number of health care providers and
hospitals in the community
c. Quality of the public safety officers
(police officers, firefighters, etc.)
d. The number and credentials of public
health officials in the community
ANS: A
Individual behavior choices and environmental factors are responsible for about 70% of
health outcomes. Individual choices are affected through interaction with other individuals,
and their mutual social and physical environments. Health care providers are responsible
for only 10% of the outcome. The quality of public safety officers and number of public
health officials have not been identified as major contributors to the determinants of
health.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: p. 4
Which of the following statements best describes why there is an increased need for advanced practice
nurses in primary care?
a. Clinics are being built in many
middleclass neighborhoods.
b. Hospitals are increasing their number of
beds.
c. More nurses are choosing to obtain
master’s degrees.
d. Most physicians are specialists.
ANS: D
Because so many physicians are specialists and there is increasing demand for primary care
providers, there are increased opportunities for advanced practice nurses in primary care.
Hospitals are decreasing the number of beds, not increasing them.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 30
2. A nurse has begun to lobby with politicians for changes to the health care system. Why is this
involvement important?
a. Nurses, as central characters in several
