Foundations of Nursing in the Community, 3rd Edition Stanhope, Lancaster A+

Description

1. A nurse wants to have a greater understanding of the physiological effects of selected chemicals. From whom would the nurse be most likely to find useful information?

a.	Chemist
b.	Epidemiologist
c.	Pharmacologist
d.	Toxicologist

ANS: D

Toxicology is the basic science that studies the health effects associated with chemical exposures. The other specialists would probably be able to provide some information, but the toxicologist will most likely provide information related to physiological processes.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 88

1. Where might a nurse first go to find information about various environmental threats that may be present in the community?

a.	CINAHL
b.	National Library of Medicine
c.	State health department
d.	Closest local library

ANS: B

Technology helps us understand environmental threats. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) databases are user-friendly and accessible on the Internet. The NLM website provides access to medical databases such as PubMed and GratefulMed, which can be searched for possible environmental linkages to illnesses using key terms.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 89

1. Which statement made by a seminar participant indicates that the nurse speaker needs to clarify and possibly repeat information concerning environmental principles?

a.	“Everything is connected to everything else.”
b.	“Everything has to go somewhere.”
c.	“The solution to pollution is prosecution.”
d.	“Today’s solution may be tomorrow’s problem.”

ANS: C

The statement in option 3, “The solution to pollution is prosecution,” is a misinterpretation. The actual principle is “The solution to pollution is dilution.”

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: pp. 90-91

1. What question should an environmentally aware nurse ask during a basic health assessment?

a.	“Is anyone else in your family having these symptoms?”
b.	“Can you tell me about your house or apartment?”
c.	“What jobs have you held longest?”
d.	“Where do you live?”

ANS: C

The key questions in any health assessment should cover past, as well as present, conditions at work, at home, and in the community environment. The most important things to ask would include questions such as the following: “Where have you worked the longest, recently and in the past? Have you been exposed to any radiation or chemical liquids, dusts, mists, or fumes? Is there any relationship between your current symptoms and activities you do at work or at home?”

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 92

1. What is a useful first step in assessing potential environmental health risks in a community?

a.	Conducting health risk assessments of randomly selected individuals
b.	Performing a windshield survey
c.	Reviewing facility permits and consumer confidence reports
d.	Surveying community members

ANS: B

Conducting a windshield survey is a useful first step to understanding potential environmental health risks. This provides first-hand information about the community and areas of concern that will need to be investigated.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 93

1. A community citizen reports to the public health department nurse that the city water in one neighborhood has had an unusual taste for the past few months. What action should the nurse take first?

a.	Check the most recent consumer confidence report.
b.	Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
c.	Notify the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
d.	Place a call to the poison control center.

ANS: A

The consumer confidence report (also known as the right-to-know report) reports the condition of drinking water. Because this is only one citizen, whose sense of taste may be affected by many conditions, it would not be appropriate to overreact by calling in governmental agencies first. Even so, in case one needed to contact an authority, it would be appropriate to start with local governmental agencies such as the city water department rather than federal agencies.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: pp. 95-96

1. A nurse who works at the local hospital asks a colleague in the health department what might be causing her hands to become very sore and sensitive. How should the colleague reply?

a.	“Ask the staff in employee health if there have been any other complaints.”
b.	“Call the local health department about any recent problems at the hospital.”
c.	“Check the material safety data sheet on any chemicals you have used recently.”
d.	“See the nurse’s health care provider for a complete work-up.”

ANS: C

Employees have the right to know about hazardous chemicals with which they work. Employers must maintain a list of all hazardous chemicals used on the premises, along with a material safety data sheet that addresses health risks related to these chemicals, as well as information about safe use and handling.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 96

1. A nurse wants to help keep the community environment safe. What is the best action he can take?

a.	Conserve water by bathing less often.
b.	Downsize to a smaller living space.
c.	Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
d.	Replace all his appliances with new energy-efficient ones.

ANS: C

All citizens can engage in minimizing their impact on the environment by reducing, reusing, and recycling. Although it would be nice to replace all appliances for energy-efficient newer models, most people can’t afford that—furthermore, it is an environmental issue to discard the used models. Similarly, downsizing to a smaller living space could help the environment, since the nurse would use less energy, but again, not everyone can afford all the expenses involved in moving. On the other hand, all persons can reduce, reuse, and recycle the individual products they currently consume.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 98

1. What is the purpose of local health departments making unannounced inspections of local restaurants?

a.	To enforce local laws and regulations
b.	To ensure compliance
c.	To provide exposure to oversight
d.	To monitor employee safety

ANS: B

Ensuring compliance refers to the process of making certain that permitting requirements are met. Although this activity may be seen as a type of monitoring, the question asks for the purpose, which is to ensure compliance. Enforcement involves penalties such as fines or facility closure.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 100

1. After hearing of plans to build a city dump near a community of poor and predominantly African-American citizens, what principle might cause a nurse to want to help block the proposed site for consideration?

a.	Environmental justice
b.	Equal rights
c.	Primary prevention
d.	Risk protection

ANS: A

Environmental justice is the goal of campaigns seeking to improve the unequal burden of environmental risks borne by impoverished and minority communities. The Environmental Justice Act would be used in support of the nurse’s position.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 103

1. A high school student considering a job in the restaurant industry after graduation asks a nurse about workplace safety issues. What act should the nurse tell the student about?

a.	Chemical Safety Information, Site Security, and Fuels Regulatory Act
b.	Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
c.	Food Quality Protection Act
d.	Occupational Safety and Health Act

ANS: D

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was passed to ensure worker and workplace safety in all employment settings, including restaurants. Others may contribute to safety but do not have the full oversight of OSHA.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 101 (Box 6-10)

1. The nurse is examining blood lead levels in school-age children 1 year after a community-wide education intervention. What phase of the nursing process does such testing represent?

a.	Assessment
b.	Diagnosis
c.	Intervention
d.	Evaluation

ANS: D

In this instance, the nurse is evaluating the results of the intervention to determine whether goals were reached. If you chose assessment, understand that this would have been done earlier in the process because it was needed to determine that a problem existed and that interventions were needed.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 92 (How To box)

1. A nurse practitioner has established a mobile clinic to vaccinate noninstitutionalized adults against influenza. What part of the nursing process does this represent?

a.	Goal setting
b.	Planning
c.	Intervention
d.	Evaluation

ANS: C

Giving immunizations is an intervention that will increase the number of people who will be vaccinated.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 92 (How To box)

1. Which action represents secondary prevention to reduce environmental health risks?

a.	Collecting blood specimens from preschool children to check for lead levels
b.	Meeting with local government officials to request that the city clean up a hazardous vacant lot
c.	Referring a child with toxic lead levels to a neurologist
d.	Teaching parents of a 2-year-old about the dangers of lead-based paint in older homes

ANS: A

Secondary prevention refers to actions such as surveillance and screening, which are undertaken so that problems may be detected at early stages.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 99 (Levels of Prevention box)

1. Which action represents primary prevention by the occupational health nurse to improve health outcomes in the event of environmental health risks?

a.	Checking radiation detectors to monitor for unsafe levels of radiation exposure
b.	Irrigating the eyes of an employee who has had a chemical splash to the face
c.	Teaching new employees who will work outdoors about the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness
d.	Using spirometry to rule out obstructive or restrictive lung disease for workers who will be wearing mask respirators

ANS: C

Education is a primary preventive strategy.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 99 (Levels of Prevention box)

MULTIPLE RESPONSE

1. Helping families and communities deal with the effects of lead paint poisoning is a complex endeavor. What are the public health nurse’s main roles in this goal? Select all that apply.

a.	Administering medication to those with signs of lead poisoning
b.	Assessing the family’s neighbors for any health problems
c.	Educating the family’s children on the importance of not eating paint chips in the house
d.	Encouraging local landlords to improve the condition of their housing
e.	Setting up a blood screening program with the local health department
f.	Working with each involved agency and the community to coordinate services

ANS: D, E, F

The nurse’s role is to understand the roles of each respective agency and organization, know the public health laws, and work with the community to coordinate services to address the community’s needs. Other needed interventions include organizing a blood-lead screening program through the local health department, educating local health providers to encourage them to systematically test children for lead poisoning, and working with local landlords to improve the condition of their housing stock.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 90

1. What are the major sources of air pollution in the United States? Select all that apply.

a.	Burning of fossil fuels
b.	Home businesses (which are not regulated)
c.	Industrial plants
d.	Motor vehicles
e.	Superfund sites
f.	Waste incineration

ANS: A, D, F

Motor vehicles are the greatest single source of air pollution in the United States. The burning of fossil fuels (diesel, industrial boilers, and power plants) and waste incineration are two other major contributors.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 94

1. A nurse wants to use the principles of risk and outrage to improve an environmental hazard in the community. To accomplish this, what would the nurse do? Select all that apply.

a.	Advertise in the media throughout the entire surrounding area about setting up a meeting in a central regional facility.
b.	Communicate the correct information in a timely fashion.
c.	Share all the data found on the community assessment.
d.	Talk to those affected or those worried about situation.
e.	Use epidemiologic statistics to demonstrate your expertise.
f.	Use language similar to that used by community members.

ANS: B, D, F

Sharing all the data would be overwhelming, and much of the data might not be relevant. Using epidemiologic statistics would not be meaningful to those without the education or experience to be able to draw an appropriate conclusion. Instead, the correct information must be given in a language the audience—namely, those at risk or worried about the risk—can understand. Use the communication channels the neighborhood residents use and meet at a common meeting place for the community. It is wasteful of resources to advertise in media throughout a wider region or to meet at a central regional facility when only community residents will be interested or involved.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 100

1. What strategies can a nurse expect from a typical state environmental agency? Select all that apply.

a.	Acting, through unannounced inspections, to ensure compliance
b.	Educating and, if necessary, imposing financial penalties to encourage compliance
c.	Monitoring hazardous substances to uphold established standards
d.	Obtaining and analyzing samples to confirm compliance
e.	Setting up statewide public programs to educate the public and to seek further state funding
f.	Writing permits that help limit toxic hazards

ANS: A, B, C, D, F

The organization and approach to environmental protection vary somewhat among states, but the common essential strategies of prevention and control via the permitting process, establishment of environmental standards, and monitoring, as well as compliance and enforcement, are found in every state.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 100

1. In what action(s) should a nurse engage to serve as an advocate for the community? Select all that apply.

a.	Asking questions related to health implications at policy meetings
b.	Calling the local health department about any recent problems at the hospital
c.	Serving as a source of information at public meetings
d.	Volunteering to serve on health-related committees
e.	Writing letters to the local newspapers regarding environmental hazards present

ANS: A, C, D, E

Advocacy roles of the community-oriented nurse include attending policy meetings to obtain health-related information, holding public meetings (or serving on panels at meetings) to provide health-related information, serving on health-related committees, and informing local media about environmental hazards in the community.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 103

Stanhope: Foundations of Nursing in the Community: Community-Oriented Practice, 3^rd Edition

Chapter 7: Government, the Law, and Policy Activism

Test Bank

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Which of the following best defines the word politics?

a.	A neutral term meaning influence
b.	The outcome of governmental policies
c.	Poly, meaning many, and tick, which is a blood-sucking insect
d.	The result of legislative action

ANS: A

Politics is a neutral term meaning the art of influencing others to accept a specific course of action. Political action results in governmental policies and legislation.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 110

1. What does the executive branch of the federal government do?

a.	Administers policy
b.	Interprets policy
c.	Proposes policy
d.	Passes policy

ANS: A

The executive branch administers and regulates policy. The legislative branch proposes policy (as bills) and passes policy (as laws). The judicial branch interprets laws.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 110

1. A nurse meets with a senator to lobby for passage of a bill to increase funding for interpreter services. Through which branch of government is the nurse interacting?

a.	Constitutional branch of government
b.	Executive branch of government
c.	Legislative branch of government
d.	Judicial branch of government

ANS: C

The legislative branch of government is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The legislative branch identifies problems and proposes and then debates, passes, and modifies laws to address those problems.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 110

1. To determine whether a hospital has the right to require that infected patients be isolated against their will, to what type of law should the nurse refer?

a.	Common law
b.	Constitutional law
c.	The local health department regulations
d.	Nurse practice act

ANS: B

Constitutional law provides the right to intervene in a reasonable manner to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizenry. State power concerning health care is called police power. This power allows states to act to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens. The state must show that it has a compelling interest in taking actions, especially actions that might infringe on individual rights. The state can isolate an individual to prevent an epidemic, even though this infringes on individual rights. The community’s rights are deemed more important than the individual’s rights when there is a threat to the health of the public.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 110

1. What is the primary focus of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)?

a.	Health education
b.	Legislation
c.	Policy guidance
d.	Research

ANS: D

The NIH is the federal focus point for biomedical research.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 112

1. What important law established programs for provision of health services for women and children and supported community-oriented nursing practice?

a.	Early Periodic Screening and Developmental Testing (EPSDT) Initiative
b.	Healthy People 2000 Initiative
c.	Sheppard-Towner Act
d.	State Child Health Improvement Act (SCHIP)

ANS: C

The Sheppard-Towner Act of 1921 played an important role in the development of public health policy, public health nursing, and social welfare policy. Of particular importance was the fact that it established standards for programs to serve women and children and made nurses available to provide these services in the community setting.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 112 (Box 7-1)

1. What was the importance of the 1979 Surgeon General’s report?

a.	It planned the goals and priorities for the entire Veterans Administration medical system.
b.	It vastly increased funding for health promotion activities.
c.	It wasn’t important; it was just another report to gather dust on the bookshelf.
d.	It created national goals for promoting health and preventing disease.

ANS: D

The 1979 Surgeon General’s report began a focus on preventing disease and promoting health for all Americans. It was a national effort with all levels of government, as well as other interested parties, involved.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: pp. 112-113

1. What is the agency with the most influence on the health and welfare of U.S. citizens?

a.	Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
b.	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
c.	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS)
d.	World Health Organization (WHO)

ANS: C

As the agency to which most health care legislation is delegated, the USDHHS is the agency most heavily involved with the health and welfare of citizens. The AHRQ and CDC are divisions of the USDHHS. WHO’s policy-making body provides policy options and guides but not laws. In the textbook, only the USDHHS is discussed regarding its responsibility for Medicare and Medicaid through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 114

1. Who is responsible for determining the scope of practice for registered nurses?

a.	American Nurses Association
b.	Federal legislators
c.	State legislators
d.	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

ANS: C

Health care practitioners are subject to the laws of the state in which they practice. The state nurse practice acts define the practice of professional nursing, identify the scope of nursing practice, set educational qualifications, and determine legal titles. The nurse practice act is governed by legislators in each state.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 117

1. What statement by a client indicates a lack of understanding regarding an appropriate reason to sue for malpractice?

a.	“Because the health care workers didn’t turn my mother every 2 hours, she developed bedsores.”
b.	“I received permanent nerve damage because they would not remove a cast that was too tight.”
c.	“My daughter wasn’t given a call light, and for a whole shift no one checked on her condition.”
d.	“They amputated the wrong leg during surgery.”

ANS: C

Professional negligence, or malpractice, is defined as an act (or failure to act) that leads to injury. All of the choices specify an injury, except for option 3, in which case the care was substandard but no injury resulted.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Synthesis REF: p. 118

1. What is the law in relation to clinical practice by nursing students?

a.	Students are considered certified until licensure is obtained.
b.	Students are expected to meet the same standard of care as the professional nurse.
c.	Students are not legally liable for errors because they practice under the license of their instructor.
d.	Students have a scope of practice determined by the nurse practice act.

ANS: B

Nursing students need to be aware that the same laws and rules that govern the professional nurse apply to them as well. Students are expected to meet the same standard of care as that met by any licensed nurse practicing under the same or similar circumstances. Although it is true that students cannot practice outside the scope of practice determined by the nurse practice act, they also cannot perform the tasks and responsibilities of the licensed practitioner within the scope of practice until they have received adequate knowledge; therefore the scope of practice for the student is determined by the instructor, based on the student’s level of education.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 119

1. A nurse wishes to see a bill passed to support funding for the use of interpreters for clients with limited English proficiency. When is the best time for the nurse to request support from the local senator who serves on the Veterans Affairs committee but not on the HELP committee?

a.	When the bill is first assigned to the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee
b.	When the bill is discussed and debated within the HELP committee
c.	When the bill moves out of the HELP committee to be heard by the entire Senate
d.	When the bill passes the Senate and moves to the House of Representatives

ANS: C

Because the senator does not serve on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee, urging support when the bill has not yet been passed out of committee (and may not even be approved) is not a good choice. Once the bill is passed by committee and moves out of committee to be heard by all senators, it will be important to contact this senator, who will then be in a position to act on it. The nurse would not want to wait until after the vote has been taken in the Senate because it would then be too late for the senator to act.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Synthesis REF: p. 120

1. The state board of nursing can write regulations to clarify in a more concrete manner what the nurse practice act allows and requires. What type of effect do these regulations have on the individual nurse?

a.	None, since they are just helpful guidelines for maximum safety
b.	None, since they just give specifics that may change over time
c.	Major, since a prudent nurse would follow such regulations
d.	Major, since these rules and regulations have the effect of law and must be obeyed

ANS: D

When the legislature passes a law and delegates its oversight to an agency, it gives that agency the power to make regulations. Because regulations flow from legislation, they have the force of law. Whether prudent or not, nurses are obligated to practice consistent with these regulations.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 123

1. A bill with the potential to decrease health care services is passed by Congress. How can the nurse still influence the bill’s implications?

a.	The nurse can exercise veto power by calling for petitions from health care agencies.
b.	The nurse can influence how the law is regulated by contacting the regulatory agency and participating in public hearings.
c.	The nurse should call members of congress to request that they rescind the legislation that was passed.
d.	The nurse is powerless to affect the new law.

ANS: B

Once a bill is passed and becomes law, it is too late to influence congressional members to change their vote; however, it is not too late to influence the outcome of the vote because the nurse can influence how the law is regulated. An agency typically writes the regulations that control how the law is implemented in more specific detail. Often this process can be just as important as lobbying against a bill because it shapes the final implementation of the law.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 123

1. For what reason or on what basis did the federal government become involved in health care?

a.	The states asked the federal level to become involved.
b.	Because of rising costs to the states, the federal budget needed to be accessed.
c.	The Constitution gives the federal government the power to promote the general welfare.
d.	This step was necessary to begin planning on a national level rather than piecemeal by states.

ANS: C

One of the first constitutional challenges to a federal law passed by Congress was in the area of health and welfare in 1937. The Supreme Court (judicial branch) reviewed the legislation in question and determined, through interpretation of the Constitution, that such federal governmental action was within the powers of Congress to promote the general welfare.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 110

1. A nurse is held to the standard of “a prudent nurse.” Where does this “prudent nurse” practice?

a.	Anywhere in the United States
b.	In the local community
c.	In the county
d.	In the state

ANS: A

In the eyes of the law, the “prudent nurse” is the standard by which to judge the competency of any nurse’s practice—and this prudent nurse could be practicing anywhere in the United States. A community standard based on where specific nurses work is not appropriate.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 119

MULTIPLE RESPONSE

1. What was significant about the passage of The Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act? Select all that apply.

a.	It funded ongoing activities of the public health system.
b.	It led to improved water quality and food safety guidelines.
c.	It included funding for public health activities.
d.	It validated that the public health system was prepared for terrorism.
e.	It recognized the importance of the public health system in fighting outbreaks.
f.	It was the first state law to attempt to fight bioterrorism in the United States.

ANS: B, C, E

The Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act was the first federal law to comprehensively address the public health system’s preparedness for bioterrorism and other infectious disease outbreaks and signaled the beginning of renewed interest in public health as the protector for entire communities.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 111

1. What is the importance of the World Health Organization (WHO) to the United States? Select all that apply.

a.	Creates international legislation regarding international cooperation
b.	Establishes international standards for antibiotics and vaccines
c.	Provides daily information on disease occurrences
d.	Supports national programs to fight disease
e.	Strengthens the delivery of health services
f.	Trains health workers

ANS: B, C

Some WHO services that benefit all countries (including the United States) are providing day-to-day information service on the occurrence of internationally important diseases; publishing the international list of causes of disease, injury, and death; monitoring adverse reactions to drugs; and establishing international standards for antibiotics and vaccines. Individual countries can request assistance with strengthening the delivery of health services, supporting national programs to fight disease, and training health workers—which the United States does not. WHO can suggest but cannot legislate to individual countries.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: pp. 113-114

1. What activities are the responsibility of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? Select all that apply.

a.	Conduct research to enhance disease prevention
b.	Detect and investigate infectious disease problems
c.	Develop and advocate public health policies
d.	Publish national goals for promoting health and preventing disease
e.	Provide funding for graduate education for health care providers
f.	Write legislation to ensure safe and healthy workplace environments

ANS: A, B, C

The mission of the CDC is to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. To monitor health, the CDC will detect and investigate health problems, conduct research that will enhance prevention, develop and advocate sound public health policies and other prevention strategies. The safety and health of the workplace is the specific responsibility of OSHA. The CDC cannot write or pass legislation. The USDHHS published national health goals in Healthy People 2010.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 114

1. A nurse is visiting a state legislator to encourage the legislator to vote for a particular health bill that the state nurses association has endorsed. What should the nurse be sure to do? Select all that apply.

a.	Allow the legislator or staff to ask questions.
b.	Be friendly and engage in small talk so rapport can be established.
c.	Be aware that legislators are well informed; don’t insult the legislator by stating information that is obvious.
d.	Have a handout that summarizes all the major points in support of the bill.
e.	Purchase a meal for legislator so that you can talk longer.
f.	Emphasize all the nurses in the community who support the bill.

ANS: A, D, F

Legislators might not be well informed about every issue, so they need and want important information. The nurse should allow time for questions or clarification of information shared and have the material on a handout for the legislator’s convenience. The nurse should not waste time with small talk but briefly present his or her stand, emphasizing other nurses who support the bill, since numbers count. It is also helpful to invite the legislator to attend nursing conferences or meetings where health issues will be discussed. Purchasing a meal could be seen as a bribe.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 122 (Box 7-2)

1. What are some of the best ways for nurses to be involved in political action? Select all that apply.

a.	Become a member of the state nurses association.
b.	Be friendly with everyone, whether supportive or not of your ideas.
c.	Don’t expend time on local activities but ask to be appointed on the state level.
d.	Focus all your efforts on your specialty practice area and your employment site act.
e.	Seek an experienced mentor and later offer to mentor other interested nurses.
f.	Volunteer for committees related to health issues.

ANS: A, B, E, F

A nurse wishing to become politically involved should begin by joining the state nurses association, networking with others involved, and volunteering to serve on committees or in offices. Be friendly and network to increase your knowledge beyond your own workplace or specialty and seek opportunities to share expertise with others. Seek a mentor and later offer to mentor others as they become involved in the political arena.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 123 (Box 7-4)

1. A nurse is testifying at a committee meeting about a health bill. What is important for the nurse to do? Select all that apply.

a.	Briefly describe personal education, experience, and expertise in the area.
b.	Discuss how the bill affects more than just nurses.
c.	Include factual data and, if possible, statistical information in visual form.
d.	Include the names of famous persons in the media who agree with you.
e.	Persuade by using any means possible, including perhaps a bit of exaggeration.
f.	Use professional nursing language to maximize impact.

ANS: A, B, C

Language must be simple and carefully chosen to convey information to listeners and to avoid professional jargon. The nurse must share a bit of personal education, experience, and expertise to be seen as a credible source. The testimony must go beyond just nursing’s interest and include accurate, credible data.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 122 (How To box)