Which of the following best describes why states will ...

[craiczarry]

Which of the following best describes why states will increasingly monitor and report on quality and cost of health care?
 
  a. Citizens are increasingly complaining of high medical costs in a depressed economy.
  b. Congress has been unsuccessful in reducing health care costs.
  c. Taxation has decreased, resulting in fewer funds available for health care.
  d. Hospitals and nursing homes are demanding increased funding.

Question 2

A nurse is trying to determine a client's reading level. Which of the following actions should be taken by the nurse?
 
  a. Ask the client if he/she finds it useful to have someone help when receiving written materials from the physician.
  b. Ask the client to assess his or her own health literacy and give examples.
  c. Determine the number of years of formal education the client completed.
  d. Use a literacy assessment tool, many of which are in the literature.

[yahahah24021]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
When Congress rejected President Clinton's plan for health care in 1994, the federal government withdrew from active health planning. Most states have become very involved in various aspects of health care planning as state funding from the federal government decreased and state budgets are not increasing. States are forced to determine priorities for the resources available. Even though citizens do complain about high medical costs, this is not the reason why states are becoming more involved with health care reporting and monitoring. Although hospitals and nursing homes may want increased funding, much of this control comes from federal legislation, which is not impacted by the states. Taxation has not decreased.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Any of the responses might be effective at assessing literacy, but the single question asking how often help might be needed is the fastest and easiest. Nurses are limited in the time available for assessment. One question is easier for a client than a complete assessment tool. Asking about years of education can be dismaying to someone who did not complete many years of formal schooling. Clients may not understand the question when asked to assess their own health literacy.