Chapter 1, The Health Care System
1. A group of nursing assistant students are contrasting the various names of medical professionals over the
years. The group discovered that a “family doctor” of their grandparent’s generation will most likely now be
referred to as which name?
A. An in-house health care provider
B. A general practitioner
C. A community practitioner
D. A general consultant
ANS: B
Rationale: The term “family doctor” has been largely replaced by “general practitioner” or “family
physician.” The other terms are not used to describe a physician.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 3 | Header: Health Care Delivery, Past and Present
OBJ: 1 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Choice
2. The nursing assistant has learned that health care should focus on the entire individual and not just the
person’s physical condition or disease. Which approach is the nursing assistant prioritizing when providing
care?
A. holistic
B. comprehensive
C. focused
D. general
ANS: A
Rationale: A holistic, humanistic approach focuses on the care of the whole person, physical and emotional.
The best aspects of the care provided by the old-fashioned “family doctor” (i.e., the doctor’s familiarity with
the person as an individual) are combined with modern-day availability of specialized care when needed.
Holistic care could be comprehensive, but that term is not used to describe this concept. Focused care usually
occurs in the acute care setting or hospital where the staff is prioritizing treatment to help the individual
recover from a specific disease or condition. General is not a common term used to describe an approach of
health care.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 4 | Header: Health Care Delivery, Past and Present
OBJ: 1 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Choice
3. The nursing assistant is researching options for employment. Which of the following health care
organizations is a possible option for this nursing assistant? Select all that apply.
A. Drop-in center
B. Homeless shelter
C. Community center
D. Assisted-living facility
E. Long-term care facility
ANS: D, E
, Rationale: An assisted-living facility is a type of long-term care facility in which individuals can provide
most of their own care, but may need help with medications, transportation, meals, or housekeeping. A long-
term care facility is a nursing home which provides care for individuals who can no longer care for
themselves. Both an assisted-living facility and a long-term care facility would be employment options for a
nursing assistant. A nursing assistant would likely not find work at the other establishments. A drop-in center
provides recreational, educational, or counseling services to a particular group. A homeless shelter provides
temporary housing for individuals without places to live. A community center is usually a building or group
of buildings which provide a location for a community’s educational and recreational activities.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 6 | Header: Types of Health Care Organizations
OBJ: 2 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Select
4. The health care provider has informed the family of a client that there is nothing more that can be done and
recommends transferring care to a different health care organization. The nursing assistant recognizes which
organization will best suit this situation?
A. Hospice
B. Nursing home
C. Subacute care unit
D. Assisted-living facility
ANS: A
Rationale: Hospice care focuses on relieving pain and providing emotional and spiritual support for the dying
person and their family; therefore, hospice is the organization that would best suit this situation. An assisted-
living facility provides care for individuals who can manage most of their daily activities but may require
assistance with medications, transportation, housekeeping, or meals. A nursing home provides long-term
care for people who are unable to care for themselves at home. A subacute care unit may still require certain
treatment, but the focus is on rehabilitation before relocating the individual home or to a long-term care
facility.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 7 | Header: Hospice Organizations
OBJ: 2 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Choice
5. Several nursing assistant students have completed a presentation depicting the various aspects of a health
care organization. The instructor determines they have successfully presented the information after they
explain which duties of the board of trustees? Select all that apply.
A. Setting policies to ensure that the organization provides safe and quality care
B. Conducting research to determine the most effective treatments for clients
C. Providing services during emergency operations
D. Passing laws that address health care at a state level
E. Ensuring the organization meets needs of the community
ANS: A, E
Rationale: The board sets policies to ensure that the care offered by the organization is safe and of good
quality. The board also makes sure that the organization meets the needs of the community. The board then
develops a plan to get funding to make necessary improvements to the organization, and to find qualified
people to staff it. Research is usually conducted by universities, hospitals, or other organizations that
specialize in that activity. Emergency services are provided by organizations that specialize in emergency
and/or trauma care, such as fire departments, paramedics, government agencies such as the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and nonprofit organizations, such as the Red Cross. State
legislators are responsible for passing laws that address health care at a state level.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 7 | Header: Structure of Health Care Organizations
OBJ: 3 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Select
,6. A nursing assistant student on clinical notes one of the RNs has “DON” on their nametag. When questioned
by the instructor, the student correctly explains the “DON” represents what?
A. Director of Nursing
B. Division of Nursing
C. Doctor of Nursing
D. Directory of Nursing
ANS: A
Rationale: DON stands for a Director of Nursing, the head of nursing services of an organization. Division of
Nursing could be the name of the department of nursing, and a Directory of Nursing could be a list of all the
nurses who are employed with a certain organization, but these would not be designations for a person. There
is no specific title of “Doctor of Nursing”, but there is the title of “Doctor of Nursing Practice” (DNP) which
the nursing assistant may see.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 7 | Header: Structure of Health Care Organizations
OBJ: 3 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Choice
7. A nursing assistant student is preparing a poster illustrating the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA)
of 1987. Which goal of OBRA should the student prioritize in the presentation when explaining the passage
of this act?
A. Improve conditions for people in long-term care facilities.
B. Provide convenient transport services for clients or residents.
C. Ensure that the hospital’s budget did not exceed a decided amount.
D. Reconcile differences between the clients or residents of an organization and the
management.
ANS: A
Rationale: OBRA was necessary because the quality of care provided in many long-term care facilities was
inadequate; improving conditions was a major goal of OBRA. Local community or health care facilities,
such as an assisted-living center or skilled nursing facility, may provide transport services. The board of
directors is responsible for monitoring a hospital’s budget. Reconciling differences between clients or
residents and management would be handled by a legal department.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 8 | Header: Ensuring Quality Health Care
OBJ: 4 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Choice
8. The nursing assistant student is investigating the various organizations in the community which might
provide future employment. The student anticipates the organization will be in compliance with
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards which provide protection for which
group?
A. Clients and residents, from unqualified health care professionals
B. Health care professionals, from on-the-job injuries
C. Family members of clients and residents, from contagious diseases
D. Equipment in the facility, from unsafe or inefficient usage
ANS: B
Rationale: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlines safety and health standards
for those in the workplace in order to prevent injury; this includes setting standards to protect the employees
from unsafe equipment, requiring certain standards and proper usage. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act sets the standards for educational and skill requirements for health care professionals in order to protect
clients and residents. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responsible for setting the
standards required to protect everyone from contagious diseases.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 11 | Header: Protecting Health Care Workers
OBJ: 4 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
, NOT: Multiple Choice
9. Though the health care team works hard to achieve many goals while providing quality care, which goal
should the team prioritize most?
A. Provide competent, holistic care.
B. Focus on the safety needs of the medical staff.
C. Use the facility’s resources efficiently.
D. Maintain a strong nursing presence.
ANS: A
Rationale: The client or resident is always the primary focus of the health care team’s efforts. The goal is
holistic care provided competently by all members of the team. The other choices are secondary goals, which
will help ensure the primary goal is met.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 7 | Header: Structure of Health Care Organizations
OBJ: 1 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Choice
10. The nursing assistant works hard to complete many duties in caring for clients. Which skill should the
nursing assistant prioritize to assist in the reimbursement process?
A. Receiving payments from the person
B. Documenting the care provided to the person
C. Assessing the person’s medical condition
D. Authorizing treatments before they are carried out
ANS: B
Rationale: In many instances, care that is provided for people must be documented in a detailed, specified
way for reimbursement to be made. The other choices are beyond the scope of practice for a nursing
assistant.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 11 | Header: Medicare OBJ: 6
TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System NOT: Multiple Choice
11. The nursing assistant is responsible for obtaining some of the data collected for the Minimum Data Set
(MDS). Which information will the nursing assistant collect? Select all that apply.
A. The individual’s past medical history
B. The resident’s food and water restrictions
C. Cost of prescribed monthly medications
D. Resident’s daily weight measurement
E. Level of assistance needed for ADLs
ANS: D, E
Rationale: The MDS report for each resident in a long-term care facility is required for Medicare
reimbursements. Information, such as the person’s weight, bowel and bladder habits, and level of assistance,
is recorded regularly as part of the MDS report. Obtaining the individual’s past medical history and food
restrictions are beyond the scope of practice of the nursing assistant and would be completed by the RN or
LPN. The cost of prescribed medication would not be collected.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 11 | Header: Medicare OBJ: 5
TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System NOT: Multiple Select
12. The nursing assistant instructor has completed a class exploring the humanistic approach to health care. The
instructor determines the class is successful when the students correctly choose which characteristic as most
important?
A. The client’s physical needs are prioritized over spiritual needs.
B. The individuality of the client is recognized and prioritized.
C. The client is encouraged to be as independent as possible.
1. A group of nursing assistant students are contrasting the various names of medical professionals over the
years. The group discovered that a “family doctor” of their grandparent’s generation will most likely now be
referred to as which name?
A. An in-house health care provider
B. A general practitioner
C. A community practitioner
D. A general consultant
ANS: B
Rationale: The term “family doctor” has been largely replaced by “general practitioner” or “family
physician.” The other terms are not used to describe a physician.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 3 | Header: Health Care Delivery, Past and Present
OBJ: 1 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Choice
2. The nursing assistant has learned that health care should focus on the entire individual and not just the
person’s physical condition or disease. Which approach is the nursing assistant prioritizing when providing
care?
A. holistic
B. comprehensive
C. focused
D. general
ANS: A
Rationale: A holistic, humanistic approach focuses on the care of the whole person, physical and emotional.
The best aspects of the care provided by the old-fashioned “family doctor” (i.e., the doctor’s familiarity with
the person as an individual) are combined with modern-day availability of specialized care when needed.
Holistic care could be comprehensive, but that term is not used to describe this concept. Focused care usually
occurs in the acute care setting or hospital where the staff is prioritizing treatment to help the individual
recover from a specific disease or condition. General is not a common term used to describe an approach of
health care.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 4 | Header: Health Care Delivery, Past and Present
OBJ: 1 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Choice
3. The nursing assistant is researching options for employment. Which of the following health care
organizations is a possible option for this nursing assistant? Select all that apply.
A. Drop-in center
B. Homeless shelter
C. Community center
D. Assisted-living facility
E. Long-term care facility
ANS: D, E
, Rationale: An assisted-living facility is a type of long-term care facility in which individuals can provide
most of their own care, but may need help with medications, transportation, meals, or housekeeping. A long-
term care facility is a nursing home which provides care for individuals who can no longer care for
themselves. Both an assisted-living facility and a long-term care facility would be employment options for a
nursing assistant. A nursing assistant would likely not find work at the other establishments. A drop-in center
provides recreational, educational, or counseling services to a particular group. A homeless shelter provides
temporary housing for individuals without places to live. A community center is usually a building or group
of buildings which provide a location for a community’s educational and recreational activities.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 6 | Header: Types of Health Care Organizations
OBJ: 2 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Select
4. The health care provider has informed the family of a client that there is nothing more that can be done and
recommends transferring care to a different health care organization. The nursing assistant recognizes which
organization will best suit this situation?
A. Hospice
B. Nursing home
C. Subacute care unit
D. Assisted-living facility
ANS: A
Rationale: Hospice care focuses on relieving pain and providing emotional and spiritual support for the dying
person and their family; therefore, hospice is the organization that would best suit this situation. An assisted-
living facility provides care for individuals who can manage most of their daily activities but may require
assistance with medications, transportation, housekeeping, or meals. A nursing home provides long-term
care for people who are unable to care for themselves at home. A subacute care unit may still require certain
treatment, but the focus is on rehabilitation before relocating the individual home or to a long-term care
facility.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 7 | Header: Hospice Organizations
OBJ: 2 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Choice
5. Several nursing assistant students have completed a presentation depicting the various aspects of a health
care organization. The instructor determines they have successfully presented the information after they
explain which duties of the board of trustees? Select all that apply.
A. Setting policies to ensure that the organization provides safe and quality care
B. Conducting research to determine the most effective treatments for clients
C. Providing services during emergency operations
D. Passing laws that address health care at a state level
E. Ensuring the organization meets needs of the community
ANS: A, E
Rationale: The board sets policies to ensure that the care offered by the organization is safe and of good
quality. The board also makes sure that the organization meets the needs of the community. The board then
develops a plan to get funding to make necessary improvements to the organization, and to find qualified
people to staff it. Research is usually conducted by universities, hospitals, or other organizations that
specialize in that activity. Emergency services are provided by organizations that specialize in emergency
and/or trauma care, such as fire departments, paramedics, government agencies such as the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and nonprofit organizations, such as the Red Cross. State
legislators are responsible for passing laws that address health care at a state level.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 7 | Header: Structure of Health Care Organizations
OBJ: 3 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Select
,6. A nursing assistant student on clinical notes one of the RNs has “DON” on their nametag. When questioned
by the instructor, the student correctly explains the “DON” represents what?
A. Director of Nursing
B. Division of Nursing
C. Doctor of Nursing
D. Directory of Nursing
ANS: A
Rationale: DON stands for a Director of Nursing, the head of nursing services of an organization. Division of
Nursing could be the name of the department of nursing, and a Directory of Nursing could be a list of all the
nurses who are employed with a certain organization, but these would not be designations for a person. There
is no specific title of “Doctor of Nursing”, but there is the title of “Doctor of Nursing Practice” (DNP) which
the nursing assistant may see.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 7 | Header: Structure of Health Care Organizations
OBJ: 3 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Choice
7. A nursing assistant student is preparing a poster illustrating the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA)
of 1987. Which goal of OBRA should the student prioritize in the presentation when explaining the passage
of this act?
A. Improve conditions for people in long-term care facilities.
B. Provide convenient transport services for clients or residents.
C. Ensure that the hospital’s budget did not exceed a decided amount.
D. Reconcile differences between the clients or residents of an organization and the
management.
ANS: A
Rationale: OBRA was necessary because the quality of care provided in many long-term care facilities was
inadequate; improving conditions was a major goal of OBRA. Local community or health care facilities,
such as an assisted-living center or skilled nursing facility, may provide transport services. The board of
directors is responsible for monitoring a hospital’s budget. Reconciling differences between clients or
residents and management would be handled by a legal department.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 8 | Header: Ensuring Quality Health Care
OBJ: 4 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Choice
8. The nursing assistant student is investigating the various organizations in the community which might
provide future employment. The student anticipates the organization will be in compliance with
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards which provide protection for which
group?
A. Clients and residents, from unqualified health care professionals
B. Health care professionals, from on-the-job injuries
C. Family members of clients and residents, from contagious diseases
D. Equipment in the facility, from unsafe or inefficient usage
ANS: B
Rationale: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlines safety and health standards
for those in the workplace in order to prevent injury; this includes setting standards to protect the employees
from unsafe equipment, requiring certain standards and proper usage. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act sets the standards for educational and skill requirements for health care professionals in order to protect
clients and residents. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responsible for setting the
standards required to protect everyone from contagious diseases.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 11 | Header: Protecting Health Care Workers
OBJ: 4 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
, NOT: Multiple Choice
9. Though the health care team works hard to achieve many goals while providing quality care, which goal
should the team prioritize most?
A. Provide competent, holistic care.
B. Focus on the safety needs of the medical staff.
C. Use the facility’s resources efficiently.
D. Maintain a strong nursing presence.
ANS: A
Rationale: The client or resident is always the primary focus of the health care team’s efforts. The goal is
holistic care provided competently by all members of the team. The other choices are secondary goals, which
will help ensure the primary goal is met.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 7 | Header: Structure of Health Care Organizations
OBJ: 1 TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System
NOT: Multiple Choice
10. The nursing assistant works hard to complete many duties in caring for clients. Which skill should the
nursing assistant prioritize to assist in the reimbursement process?
A. Receiving payments from the person
B. Documenting the care provided to the person
C. Assessing the person’s medical condition
D. Authorizing treatments before they are carried out
ANS: B
Rationale: In many instances, care that is provided for people must be documented in a detailed, specified
way for reimbursement to be made. The other choices are beyond the scope of practice for a nursing
assistant.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 11 | Header: Medicare OBJ: 6
TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System NOT: Multiple Choice
11. The nursing assistant is responsible for obtaining some of the data collected for the Minimum Data Set
(MDS). Which information will the nursing assistant collect? Select all that apply.
A. The individual’s past medical history
B. The resident’s food and water restrictions
C. Cost of prescribed monthly medications
D. Resident’s daily weight measurement
E. Level of assistance needed for ADLs
ANS: D, E
Rationale: The MDS report for each resident in a long-term care facility is required for Medicare
reimbursements. Information, such as the person’s weight, bowel and bladder habits, and level of assistance,
is recorded regularly as part of the MDS report. Obtaining the individual’s past medical history and food
restrictions are beyond the scope of practice of the nursing assistant and would be completed by the RN or
LPN. The cost of prescribed medication would not be collected.
PTS: 1 REF: Page: 11 | Header: Medicare OBJ: 5
TOP: Chapter 1: The Health Care System NOT: Multiple Select
12. The nursing assistant instructor has completed a class exploring the humanistic approach to health care. The
instructor determines the class is successful when the students correctly choose which characteristic as most
important?
A. The client’s physical needs are prioritized over spiritual needs.
B. The individuality of the client is recognized and prioritized.
C. The client is encouraged to be as independent as possible.
