1) A nurse manager is participating in the healthcare organization's strategic planning
committee. Which factor is the primary driving force and controlling factor in new initiatives
this committee might recommend?
1. Cost of care
2. Access to care
3. Availability of care
4. Quality of care
Answer: 1
Explanation: 1. While all of the options given are driving forces in today's healthcare
environment, the cost of providing care is still the primary issue. Cost of care controls access,
availability, and quality.
2. Access to care is controlled by the ability to pay.
3. Care will not be available if it cannot be funded.
4. Healthcare providers do not like to correlate quality with cost, but the economic reality is
that quality care must also be funded care.
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Int Conc: Nursing Process: Evaluation/Leadership
Learning Outcome: 1-1: Explain changes to healthcare over the past decade, including those
resulting from implementation of the Affordable Care Act; demands to reduce errors and
improve patient safety; and evolving medical and communication technology