WGU D223 NURS 2650 Healthcare Policy & Economics COMPREHENSIVE OA GUIDE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

WGU D223 NURS 2650 Healthcare Policy & Economics: Comprehensive OA Guide Questions & Answers

Introduction

Healthcare policy and economics play a crucial role in shaping the quality, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness of care delivery in the United States. For students enrolled in WGU D223 NURS 2650, understanding these principles is imperative for navigating the complex healthcare landscape. This comprehensive guide addresses key questions and answers related to the course, providing clarity on essential topics such as drug usage reporting, social determinants of health (SDOH), and healthcare reform.

What Connections Are There Between Drug Usage and Order Reports?

The relationship between drug usage and order reports is fundamental in healthcare analytics, regulatory compliance, and patient safety. Health institutions leverage order reports to monitor prescribing patterns, identify trends in medication utilization, and detect potential areas of concern, such as overprescription or adverse drug interactions.

1. Data-Driven Decision Making - Drug order reports enable healthcare administrators to evaluate prescribing habits and implement necessary interventions, such as formulary adjustments or provider education programs.

2. Compliance & Regulation - Healthcare organizations must adhere to federal and state guidelines when dispensing medications. Monitoring drug orders ensures compliance with standards set forth by agencies such as the DEA and FDA.

3. Patient Safety & Risk Management - Analyzing these reports helps detect prescription errors, medication redundancies, and potential substance misuse.

4. Cost Containment & Resource Allocation - Health systems use order reports to assess the cost-effectiveness of certain medications, thereby influencing procurement strategies and insurance reimbursement structures.

In the context of Course Hero D223, students explore case studies where inappropriate medication prescribing led to regulatory actions, reinforcing the importance of precise and ethical drug administration practices.

What Category of SDOH Is Most Relevant to the Case at Windsor Oncology?

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) encompass non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. In the Windsor Oncology case, the most pertinent SDOH category is economic stability.

Why Economic Stability?

1. Cost of Cancer Treatment - Oncology treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and novel biologics, are exorbitantly priced. Many patients struggle with financial toxicity, which can lead to delayed or abandoned treatment plans.

2. Insurance Disparities - Patients with inadequate insurance coverage may face restricted access to state-of-the-art therapies.

3. Employment Disruptions - A cancer diagnosis often results in work absenteeism or job loss, leading to decreased income and increased economic strain.

4. Access to Support Services - Financially vulnerable patients may lack access to nutritional support, transportation, or home healthcare services, which are crucial for optimal treatment adherence.

By analyzing this case, students gain insights into how economic vulnerabilities exacerbate health disparities and why healthcare policy reforms should prioritize financial support systems for chronic disease patients.

Healthcare Reform: Key Impacts and Considerations

Healthcare reform remains a pivotal element of public policy, influencing everything from insurance coverage to provider reimbursement models. The U.S. healthcare system has undergone multiple reforms aimed at expanding access, improving quality, and controlling costs.

Major Reforms and Their Implications

1. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) - Introduced sweeping changes such as Medicaid expansion, marketplace subsidies, and protection for individuals with pre-existing conditions.

2. Value-Based Care Models - Shifted the focus from fee-for-service to quality-driven reimbursement models to enhance patient outcomes while controlling expenditures.

3. Drug Pricing Reforms - Regulatory efforts to cap prescription drug prices and promote generic competition have emerged as major policy discussions.

4. Public Health Initiatives - Programs targeting preventive care, telemedicine adoption, and mental health services have gained momentum under reformative measures.

Healthcare reform continues to evolve, with legislative discussions focusing on expanding coverage, controlling pharmaceutical costs, and addressing social determinants of health.

Conclusion

Understanding healthcare policy and economics is indispensable for future nurses and healthcare professionals. The interconnections between drug order reports, SDOH categories, and healthcare reforms shape the delivery and accessibility of care. By mastering these concepts in WGU D223 NURS 2650, students are better equipped to advocate for evidence-based policy changes and contribute to a more equitable healthcare system.

Below are sample Questions and Answers:

1. Multiple Choice: What is the primary goal of healthcare
policy?
 a) To ensure public safety
 b) To promote health equity
 c) To reduce healthcare costs
 d) To increase the number of healthcare providers
 Correct Answer: b) To promote health equity
 Rationale: The primary goal of healthcare policy is to
promote health equity, ensuring that all individuals have fair
and just access to healthcare services.
2. Fill-in-the-Blank: The __________ model is a healthcare
economic concept that describes how individuals make
choices under conditions of uncertainty.
 Correct Answer: Expected Utility
 Rationale: The Expected Utility model is used in
healthcare economics to predict how individuals will make
healthcare-related decisions when they are uncertain about
outcomes.
3. True/False: Cost-effectiveness analysis is the sole
determinant in healthcare decision-making.
 Correct Answer: False
 Rationale: While cost-effectiveness analysis is a crucial
tool in healthcare decision-making, it is not the sole
determinant. Other factors, such as ethical considerations
and patient preferences, also play significant roles.
4. Multiple Response: Which of the following are considered
social determinants of health? (Select all that apply)
 a) Income level
 b) Genetic predisposition