Question 1

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 2

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 3

The nurse explains that the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship differs from the social relationship because:

Accepted Answer

A)  a social relationship does not have goals or needs to be met. 
B)  the nurse-patient relationship ends when the patient is discharged. 
C)  the focus is mainly on the nurse in the nurse-patient relationship. 
D)  a social relationship does not require trust or sharing of life experiences.

Question 4

A nurse using active listening techniques would:

Accepted Answer

A)  use nonverbal cues such as leaning forward, focusing on the speaker's face, and slightly nodding to indicate that the message has been heard. 
B)  avoid the use of eye contact to allow the patient to express herself without feeling stared at or demeaned. 
C)  anticipate what the speaker is trying to say and help the patient express herself when she has difficulty with finishing a sentence. 
D)  ask probing questions to direct the conversation and obtain the information needed as efficiently as possible.

Question 5

To enhance the establishment of rapport with a patient, the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

A)  identify himself by name and title each time he introduces himself. 
B)  share his own personal experiences so that the patient gets to know him as a friend. 
C)  act in a trustworthy and reliable manner; respect the individuality of the patient. 
D)  share information with the patient about other patients and why they are hospitalized.

Question 6

When communicating with a hearing impaired patient, the nurse appropriately:

Accepted Answer

A)  shouts repeatedly at the patient. 
B)  speaks directly into the patient's ear. 
C)  uses long, complex sentences. 
D)  uses short, simple sentences.

Question 7

When the patient says, "I don't want to go home," the nurse's best therapeutic verbal response would be:

Accepted Answer

A)  "I'm sure everything will be fine once you get home." 
B)  "You don't want to go home?" 
C)  "Doesn't your family want you to come home?" 
D)  "I felt like that when I had surgery last year."

Question 8

The nurse recognizes the patient who demonstrates communication congruency when the patient:

Accepted Answer

A)  smiles and laughs while speaking of feeling lonely and depressed. 
B)  wrings her hands and paces around the room while denying that she is upset. 
C)  is tearful and slow in speech when talking about her husband's death. 
D)  states she is comfortable while she frowns and her teeth are clenched.

Question 9

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 10

Pain is often conveyed through nonverbal communication. Two other common, nonverbally expressed emotions are _________________ and ______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Pain is often conveyed through nonverbal communication....

Question 11

When the nurse enters the room, the patient is laughing out loud at something on TV. The patient stops and apologizes for the laughter, saying, "I guess I ought not be laughing at all since I am stuck here with two broken legs." The nurse can use evidence-based information when she responds:

Accepted Answer

A)  "Laughter is nearly always a cover up for anxiety when facing a long rehabilitation." 
B)  "Long periods of laughter decrease the amount of oxygen available to your body for healing." 
C)  "Laughter in a hospital is often distracting and depressing to other patients nearby." 
D)  "Laughter truly is the best medicine as it has a positive effect on the immune system."

Question 12

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 nonverbal 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 13

The communication technique of __________ gives the caregiver the opportunity to ask and respond to questions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The communication technique of __________ gives the...

Question 14

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."

Question 15

To elicit more information from a patient, the nurse should ask questions that require more than a one-word answer. This type of question is called _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of To elicit more information from a patient,...

Question 16

When the nurse is giving direction to a nursing assistant who is being delegated part of the patient care, the nurse's most effective direction would be:

Accepted Answer

A)  "Do the morning care first on the patients in 205 and 206 who can't get out of bed." 
B)  "You take care of all the patients in 205 and 206. Let me know how you're doing and whether you need any help." 
C)  "Give the patient in 204A a shower after breakfast, and call me to check her feet before you get her dressed." 
D)  "Take the vital signs on all the patients in the lounge and tell me whether there are problems."

Question 17

When the nurse makes the statement, "We can come back to that later-right now I need to know about when your symptoms started," the nurse is:

Accepted Answer

A)  letting the patient know that topic of conversation was inappropriate. 
B)  setting limits on the expression of feelings. 
C)  refocusing the patient to the issue at hand when the conversation has wandered. 
D)  closing off the conversation by quickly getting to the point of the interview.

Question 18

When a patient states, "My son hasn't been to see me in months," the nurse's best verbal response is:

Accepted Answer

A)  "Don't worry; I'm sure your son will visit." 
B)  "Your son hasn't been around much lately?" 
C)  "My son doesn't come to visit me either." 
D)  "How terrible that he doesn't visit you."

Question 19

When communicating with an aphasic patient, the nurse appropriately:

Accepted Answer

A)  speaks quickly and shouts so the patient can hear. 
B)  assumes the patient can understand what is heard. 
C)  speaks to the patient's caregiver about the patient. 
D)  assumes the patient cannot understand what is heard.

Question 20

The nurse can best ensure that communication is understood by:

Accepted Answer

A)  speaking slowly and clearly in the patient's native language. 
B)  asking the family members whether the patient understands. 
C)  obtaining feedback from the patient that indicates accurate comprehension. 
D)  checking for signs of hearing loss or aphasia before communicating.

Exam 8: Communication and the Nurse Patient Relationship