Page 1 of 45
NURS 709 — ADVANCED HEALTH POLICY — PRACTICE
EXAM MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY — DNP PROGRAM
2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
NURS
Prepare for the NURS 709 Exam – Maryville University Exam Practice with a focused
study resource designed to reinforce advanced health policy and doctoral nursing
concepts. It supports review of healthcare policy, policy analysis, advocacy,
healthcare access and equity, scope of practice, economic considerations, and the
role of advanced practice nurses in influencing system-level change. Use the practice
material to strengthen critical thinking, apply policy concepts to healthcare
scenarios, and identify areas that may require additional review before the exam. This
resource is best suited for Maryville University NURS 709 students, DNP learners, and
advanced nursing professionals preparing for Advanced Health Policy assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTH POLICY (Questions 1–20)
Question 1:
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student enrolled in an advanced health
policy course is analyzing the role of nurses in shaping healthcare legislation.
Which statement best describes the primary purpose of nursing involvement
in health policy?
A) To replace physicians in healthcare decision-making processes
B) To influence policies that improve population health outcomes and
healthcare systems
C) To eliminate government involvement in healthcare regulation
D) To focus exclusively on bedside clinical care without organizational
involvement
Answer: B) To influence policies that improve population health outcomes
and healthcare systems
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Rationale: Nursing involvement in health policy allows nurses to use
clinical expertise, research evidence, and patient advocacy skills to
influence decisions that improve healthcare access, quality, safety, and
outcomes.
Question 2:
Which of the following best defines health policy?
A) A set of clinical guidelines for healthcare providers
B) Decisions, plans, and actions undertaken to achieve specific healthcare
goals within a society
C) Regulations that only apply to hospitals and healthcare facilities
D) The financial management of healthcare organizations
Answer: B) Decisions, plans, and actions undertaken to achieve specific
healthcare goals within a society
Rationale: Health policy encompasses the decisions, plans, and actions
that are undertaken to achieve specific healthcare goals within a society.
It includes laws, regulations, and policies that shape healthcare delivery,
financing, and access.
Question 3:
NURS 709 — Advanced Health Policy is designed to present students with
knowledge of the American healthcare system and to analyze:
A) Clinical nursing skills and patient care techniques
B) The policy-making process in preparation to be effective advocates for
health policy change
C) Pharmacological interventions for chronic diseases
D) Advanced physical assessment techniques
Answer: B) The policy-making process in preparation to be effective
advocates for health policy change
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Rationale: The course is designed to present students with knowledge of
the American healthcare system and to analyze the policy-making
process in preparation to be effective advocates for health policy change.
Question 4:
According to the course description for NURS 709, what will students explore
regarding the American healthcare system?
A) Only the clinical aspects of patient care
B) Economically and politically feasible/viable policy changes that would
improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system's delivery of health
care
C) The history of nursing education in the United States
D) The pharmacological management of acute conditions
Answer: B) Economically and politically feasible/viable policy changes
that would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system's
delivery of health care
Rationale: The course explores economically and politically
feasible/viable policy changes that would improve the efficiency and
effectiveness of the system's delivery of health care.
Question 5:
Which statement best describes the relationship between nursing and health
policy?
A) Nurses should focus solely on direct patient care and avoid policy
involvement
B) Nurses have a professional and ethical responsibility to engage in health
policy advocacy
C) Health policy is the sole responsibility of physicians and hospital
administrators
D) Nurses should only engage in policy at the local level
, Page 4 of 45
Answer: B) Nurses have a professional and ethical responsibility to
engage in health policy advocacy
Rationale: Nurses have a professional and ethical responsibility to engage
in health policy advocacy. The American Nurses Association Code of
Ethics and nursing standards call for nurses to advocate for policies that
improve health outcomes and healthcare systems.
Question 6:
What is the primary purpose of health policy analysis in advanced nursing
practice?
A) To identify which policies are most profitable for healthcare organizations
B) To systematically evaluate the effects of policies on health outcomes,
costs, and equity
C) To eliminate government oversight of healthcare
D) To reduce the role of nurses in healthcare decision-making
Answer: B) To systematically evaluate the effects of policies on health
outcomes, costs, and equity
Rationale: Health policy analysis is the systematic evaluation of the
effects of policies on health outcomes, costs, and equity. It is a critical
skill for advanced practice nurses engaged in policy advocacy and
leadership.
Question 7:
The American healthcare system is characterized by:
A) Universal government-funded healthcare for all citizens
B) A mixed public-private system with multiple payers and delivery models
C) A single-payer system administered by the federal government
D) Complete privatization with no government involvement
Answer: B) A mixed public-private system with multiple payers and
delivery models
NURS 709 — ADVANCED HEALTH POLICY — PRACTICE
EXAM MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY — DNP PROGRAM
2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
NURS
Prepare for the NURS 709 Exam – Maryville University Exam Practice with a focused
study resource designed to reinforce advanced health policy and doctoral nursing
concepts. It supports review of healthcare policy, policy analysis, advocacy,
healthcare access and equity, scope of practice, economic considerations, and the
role of advanced practice nurses in influencing system-level change. Use the practice
material to strengthen critical thinking, apply policy concepts to healthcare
scenarios, and identify areas that may require additional review before the exam. This
resource is best suited for Maryville University NURS 709 students, DNP learners, and
advanced nursing professionals preparing for Advanced Health Policy assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTH POLICY (Questions 1–20)
Question 1:
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student enrolled in an advanced health
policy course is analyzing the role of nurses in shaping healthcare legislation.
Which statement best describes the primary purpose of nursing involvement
in health policy?
A) To replace physicians in healthcare decision-making processes
B) To influence policies that improve population health outcomes and
healthcare systems
C) To eliminate government involvement in healthcare regulation
D) To focus exclusively on bedside clinical care without organizational
involvement
Answer: B) To influence policies that improve population health outcomes
and healthcare systems
, Page 2 of 45
Rationale: Nursing involvement in health policy allows nurses to use
clinical expertise, research evidence, and patient advocacy skills to
influence decisions that improve healthcare access, quality, safety, and
outcomes.
Question 2:
Which of the following best defines health policy?
A) A set of clinical guidelines for healthcare providers
B) Decisions, plans, and actions undertaken to achieve specific healthcare
goals within a society
C) Regulations that only apply to hospitals and healthcare facilities
D) The financial management of healthcare organizations
Answer: B) Decisions, plans, and actions undertaken to achieve specific
healthcare goals within a society
Rationale: Health policy encompasses the decisions, plans, and actions
that are undertaken to achieve specific healthcare goals within a society.
It includes laws, regulations, and policies that shape healthcare delivery,
financing, and access.
Question 3:
NURS 709 — Advanced Health Policy is designed to present students with
knowledge of the American healthcare system and to analyze:
A) Clinical nursing skills and patient care techniques
B) The policy-making process in preparation to be effective advocates for
health policy change
C) Pharmacological interventions for chronic diseases
D) Advanced physical assessment techniques
Answer: B) The policy-making process in preparation to be effective
advocates for health policy change
, Page 3 of 45
Rationale: The course is designed to present students with knowledge of
the American healthcare system and to analyze the policy-making
process in preparation to be effective advocates for health policy change.
Question 4:
According to the course description for NURS 709, what will students explore
regarding the American healthcare system?
A) Only the clinical aspects of patient care
B) Economically and politically feasible/viable policy changes that would
improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system's delivery of health
care
C) The history of nursing education in the United States
D) The pharmacological management of acute conditions
Answer: B) Economically and politically feasible/viable policy changes
that would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system's
delivery of health care
Rationale: The course explores economically and politically
feasible/viable policy changes that would improve the efficiency and
effectiveness of the system's delivery of health care.
Question 5:
Which statement best describes the relationship between nursing and health
policy?
A) Nurses should focus solely on direct patient care and avoid policy
involvement
B) Nurses have a professional and ethical responsibility to engage in health
policy advocacy
C) Health policy is the sole responsibility of physicians and hospital
administrators
D) Nurses should only engage in policy at the local level
, Page 4 of 45
Answer: B) Nurses have a professional and ethical responsibility to
engage in health policy advocacy
Rationale: Nurses have a professional and ethical responsibility to engage
in health policy advocacy. The American Nurses Association Code of
Ethics and nursing standards call for nurses to advocate for policies that
improve health outcomes and healthcare systems.
Question 6:
What is the primary purpose of health policy analysis in advanced nursing
practice?
A) To identify which policies are most profitable for healthcare organizations
B) To systematically evaluate the effects of policies on health outcomes,
costs, and equity
C) To eliminate government oversight of healthcare
D) To reduce the role of nurses in healthcare decision-making
Answer: B) To systematically evaluate the effects of policies on health
outcomes, costs, and equity
Rationale: Health policy analysis is the systematic evaluation of the
effects of policies on health outcomes, costs, and equity. It is a critical
skill for advanced practice nurses engaged in policy advocacy and
leadership.
Question 7:
The American healthcare system is characterized by:
A) Universal government-funded healthcare for all citizens
B) A mixed public-private system with multiple payers and delivery models
C) A single-payer system administered by the federal government
D) Complete privatization with no government involvement
Answer: B) A mixed public-private system with multiple payers and
delivery models
