Question 1

When a patient begins crying during a conversation with the nurse about the patient's upcoming surgery for possible malignancy, the nurse's most therapeutic response would be:

Accepted Answer

A)   "Your surgeon is excellent, and I know he'll do a great job."
B)   "Oh, dear, your gown is way too big, let me get you another one."
C)   "Don't cry; think about something else and you'll feel better."
D)   "Here is a tissue. I'd like to sit here for a while if you want to talk." D

Question 2

A Hispanic patient approaches the Asian nurse and, standing very close, touches the nurse's shoulder during their conversation. The nurse begins to step back to 18 to 24 inches, while smiling and nodding to the patient. This situation is most likely an example of:

Accepted Answer

A)   the nurse's need to maintain a professional role rather than a social role.
B)   a patient's attempt to keep the nurse's attention.
C)   a nurse's need to establish a more appropriate location for conversation.
D)   a difference in culturally learned personal space of the nurse and the patient. D

Question 3

To begin talking with a newly admitted patient about pain management, the nurse would most appropriately state:

Accepted Answer

A)   "You look pretty comfortable. Are you having any pain?"
B)   "Tell me about the pain you've been having."
C)   "Is this pain the same as the pain you had yesterday?"
D)   "Don't worry; this pain won't last forever." B

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a patient who is concerned about living alone. The best response by the nurse is:

Accepted Answer

A)   "Where have you considered living?"
B)   "Why don't you live with your family?"
C)   "I think you should live with your family."
D)   "If you were my mom, I'd have you live with me."

Question 5

The nurse has selected an outcome for the patient to eat all of the food on the breakfast tray each day. Assessing that the patient has eaten all of the breakfast, the nurse would give positive feedback by saying:

Accepted Answer

A)   "Wow! That breakfast must have been pretty good."
B)   "I like pancakes too. Everyone on the hall seemed to enjoy them."
C)   "I hope you can keep all that breakfast down."
D)   "Hurray! You finished your whole meal! What would you like for tomorrow?"

Question 6

When communicating with a preschooler, the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

A)   use abstract explanations.
B)   use unfamiliar language.
C)   use long, complex sentences.
D)   consider the developmental level, using familiar words.

Question 7

When the patient says, "I get so anxious just lying here in this hospital bed. I have a million things I should be doing at home," the most empathetic response would be:

Accepted Answer

A)   "I'd feel the same way you do. I know just what you're going through."
B)   "It sounds like you're having a tough time dealing with this situation."
C)   "It's always darkest before the dawn. Hang in there; it will get better."
D)   "You sound pretty sorry for yourself. Why don't you look at the positives?"

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a patient with a diagnosis of lung cancer. The nurse states, "If I were you, I would have radiation therapy." The nurse's statement is an example of which type of communication block?

Accepted Answer

A)   Inattentive listening
B)   Giving advice
C)   Using clichés
D)   Defensive response

Question 9

A nurse caring for a patient who fell off the roof while he was intoxicated asks the patient, "Why in the world were you on the roof when you had been drinking?" The nurse's statement is an example of which type of communication?

Accepted Answer

A)   Changing the subject
B)   Defensive response
C)   Inattentive listening
D)   Asking probing questions

Question 10

Behaviors that indicate to the patient that the nurse is inattentive to the patient's concerns are such activities as: (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   turning back to straighten the bedside table while the patient is talking.
B)   tapping feet or fingers.
C)   sitting down in a chair near the bed with arms crossed.
D)   leaving a hand on the door to go out.
E)   nodding and asking for elaboration.

Question 11

The nurse is alert to avoid using blocks to effective communication that include: (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   changing the subject.
B)   using non-judgmental remarks.
C)   giving advice.
D)   asking probing questions.
E)   offering hope.F)  using clichés.

Question 12

A nurse says to a patient, "I am going to take your TPR, and then I'll check to see whether you can have a PRN analgesic." In considering factors that affect communication, the nurse has:

Accepted Answer

A)   used terminology to clearly inform the patient of what she is doing.
B)   given information that is unnecessary for the patient to know.
C)   used medical jargon, which might not be understood by the patient.
D)   taken into consideration the patient's need to know what is happening.

Question 13

The nurse chooses to use touch in the nurse-patient relationship because touch:

Accepted Answer

A)   can convey caring and support when words are difficult.
B)   should be avoided because of problems of cultural misinterpretation.
C)   is appropriate only in special circumstances, such as with young children.
D)   is a nursing intervention of choice in almost all situations.

Question 14

When an office nurse asks the patient to repeat information that he has just given to the patient over the telephone, the nurse is:

Accepted Answer

A)   testing the patient's intelligence and memory.
B)   acting in a cautious way to avoid charges of negligence.
C)   verifying that the patient understands the information.
D)   saving the extra time it would take to mail the information.

Question 15

A 67-year-old woman had major abdominal surgery yesterday. She has IV lines, a urinary catheter, and an abdominal wound dressing, and she is receiving PRN pain medication. The end-of-shift report that best conveys the patient status is:

Accepted Answer

A)   "Doing great, was up in the chair most of the day. No complaints of pain or discomfort. Voiding adequately."
B)   "Abdominal surgery yesterday, dressing is dry and intact, her IVs are on time and she's had pain meds twice. Vital signs stable."
C)   "Abdominal dressing dry, IVs-800 mL left in #6; NS running at 125 mL/hr; urine output 800 mL this shift; had morphine 15 mg for pain at 8:00 AM and at 1:30 PM. She's comfortable now. Vital signs are stable, no fever."
D)   "Unchanged since this morning. She wanted to know how soon she can have something to eat, so maybe you could check with her doctor this evening. Her husband has been visiting all day and will let you know if she needs anything."

Question 16

When the nurse observes a resident in a long-term facility pounding his fists on his legs and grinding his teeth, the nurse will validate her perception of the patient's non-verbal expression of anger by:

Accepted Answer

A)   documenting that the patient was agitated and appeared angry.
B)   asking the male nursing assistant if it is his perception that the patient appears angry.
C)   accessing the nursing care plan to ascertain if there is a nursing diagnosis relative to anger.
D)   sitting down near the patient and saying, "You seem upset…can I help?"

Question 17

The nurse recognizes a verbal response when the patient:

Accepted Answer

A)   nods her head when asked whether she wants juice.
B)   writes the answer to a question asked by the nurse.
C)   begins sobbing uncontrollably when asked about her daughter.
D)   is moaning and restless and appears to be in pain.

Question 18

In order to safeguard patient information when using a computer, the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

A)   only use the computer located in the nurse's station.
B)   wait until the end of the shift and chart all information at one time.
C)   use personal code words and abbreviations to disguise information.
D)   change the computer password frequently.

Question 19

The nurse will appropriately and deliberately use the closed question technique when the patient is: (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   being asked for specific information.
B)   extremely anxious and unfocused.
C)   having difficulty expressing feelings.
D)   confused.
E)   angry and ranting about his lack of medical care.

Question 20

Pain is often conveyed through non-verbal communication. Two other common, non-verbally expressed emotions are _____ and _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Pain is often conveyed through non-verbal communication....

Exam 8: Communication and the Nurse-Patient Relationship