A bill has been submitted to the State House of Representatives that is designed to reduce the cost of health care by increasing the patient-to-nurse ratio from a maximum of 2:1 in intensive care units to 3:1. What should the nurse realize?
a. Legislation is politics beyond the nurse's control.
b. National programs have no bearing on state politics.
c. The individual nurse can influence legislative decisions.
d. Focusing on nursing care provides the best patient benefit.
ANS: C
Nurses can influence policy decisions at all governmental levels. One way is to get involved by participating in local and national efforts. This effort is critical in exerting nurses' influence early in the political process. Legislation is not beyond the nurse's control. National program can have bearing on state politics. The question is focusing on legislation and health care costs, not nursing care.
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