Author Question: The population health nurse is participating in a discussion about the number of physicians in the ... (Read 58 times)

jjjetplane · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

The population health nurse is participating in a discussion about the number of physicians in the United States being able to meet health care needs. What should the nurse identify as the primary reason for physicians contributing to escalating health

The population health nurse is participating in a discussion about the number of physicians in the United States being able to meet health care needs. What should the nurse identify as the primary reason for physicians contributing to escalating health care costs?
1. Decreased hospital beds nationwide.
2. Increased numbers of uninsured citizens.
3. The higher number of specialists than generalists.
4. More expensive prescription medications being prescribed.

Question 2

The population health nurse attends a seminar on health care economics. What should the nurse realize as one of the biggest concerns influencing the economic health status of the United States?

1. Aging of citizens.
2. Declining birth rate.
3. Rise in asthma among children.
4. Rise of adolescent mental health problems.

heinisk01 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 2
Explanation: 2. Specialists have higher reimbursements and fees, and represent two-thirds of the physician workforce in the United States; as such, specialists contribute to escalating health care costs. Nationwide hospital beds have not decreased. While there is a large segment of the population who is uninsured, this is not reflected in the number of physicians and there is no evidence that physicians are necessarily prescribing more expensive medications.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 1
Explanation: 1. Factors that have contributed to increasing health care spending include an aging population. An aging population contributes to greater demand for and use of services, particularly as the prevalence of chronic diseases with high costs for disease management increases in older age groups. The size of the older population relative to other age groups in the United States has increased consistently over the last several decades. People over age 65 consume a large portion of the health care services provided each year. The birth rate in the United States is not declining and while there are concerns about adolescent mental health problems and the rise of childhood asthma, these do not represent immediate priority concerns regarding the economic health status.