Exam 11: Communication and the Clinical Interview

Which comments by a nurse demonstrate use of therapeutic communication techniques? Select all that apply.

A patient with acute depression states, "God is punishing me for my past sins." What is the nurse's most therapeutic response?

A school-age child tells the school nurse, "Other kids call me mean names and will not sit with me at lunch. Nobody likes me." Select the nurse's most therapeutic response.

The patient says, "My marriage is just great. My spouse and I always agree." The nurse observes the patient's foot moving continuously as the patient twirls a shirt button. The conclusion the nurse can draw is that the patient's communication is which of the following?

An Aboriginal patient had a nursing diagnosis of situational low self-esteem related to poor social skills as evidenced by lack of eye contact. Interventions were used to raise the patient's self-esteem, but after 3 weeks, the patient's eye contact did not improve. What is the most accurate analysis of this scenario?

When a female Aboriginal patient and a female nurse sit together, the patient often holds the nurse's hand. The patient also links arms with the nurse when they walk. The nurse is uncomfortable with this behaviour. Which analysis is most accurate?

Documentation in a patient's chart shows, "Throughout a 5-minute interaction, patient fidgeted and tapped left foot, periodically covered face with hands, and looked under chair while stating, 'I enjoy spending time with you.'" Which analysis is most accurate?

While talking with a patient diagnosed with major depression, a nurse notices the patient is unable to maintain eye contact. The patient's chin lowers to the chest, while the patient looks at the floor. Which aspect of communication has the nurse assessed?

During the first interview with a parent whose child died in a car accident, the nurse feels empathic and reaches out to take the patient's hand. Select the correct analysis of the nurse's behaviour.

During an interview, a patient attempts to shift the focus from self to the student nurse by asking personal questions. The student nurse should respond by saying:

Which technique will best communicate to a patient that the nurse is interested in listening?

A patient says to the nurse, "I dreamed I was stoned. When I woke up, I felt emotionally drained, as though I hadn't rested well." Which response should the nurse use to clarify the patient's comment?

A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The CIA is monitoring us through the fluorescent lights in this room. Be careful what you say." Which response by the nurse would be most therapeutic?

An Italian Canadian patient uses dramatic body language when describing emotional discomfort. Which analysis most likely explains the patient's behaviour?

A patient cries as the nurse explores the patient's feelings about the death of a close friend. The patient sobs, "I shouldn't be crying like this. It happened a long time ago." Which responses by the nurse facilitate communication? Select all that apply.

During the initial patient interview, which of the following are reasons that the patient may be reluctant to speak? Select all that apply.

Which principle should guide the nurse in determining the extent of silence to use during patient interview sessions?

A patient is having difficulty making a decision. The nurse has mixed feelings about whether to provide advice. Which principle usually applies?

During a one-on-one interaction with the nurse, a patient frequently looks nervously at the door. Select the best comment by the nurse regarding this nonverbal communication.

A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I'll ever get out of here." Select the nurse's most therapeutic response.