A Senate committee is conducting a hearing on an important healthcare

QUESTION

A Senate committee is conducting a hearing on an important healthcare bill. The nurse has been asked to testify before this committee. How should the nurse proceed?

1. Use professional terminology in discussing the issue.
2. Read the material to the committee to ensure accuracy.
3. Provide written copies of the testimony to each committee member.
4. Refer any committee member questions that arise to an expert in the field.

ANSWER:

Correct Answer: 3

The nurse should provide written copies of the testimony and any supporting literature to each committee member. Using professional terminology may be confusing to senators who are not familiar with the terms, thus plain language should be used. The nurse should relate the information accurately, but should avoid reading the information. Instead, the nurse should come across as friendly, competent, and knowledgeable. The nurse should be familiar enough with the information to answer questions that occur. This nurse is being considered an expert by the committee.