Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A)   Patients withdraw if silences are prolonged.
B)   The nurse is responsible for breaking silences.
C)   Silence provides meaningful moments for reflection.
D)   Silence helps patients know that they are understood. C

Question 2

Which statement by a nurse may underrate a patient's feelings and belittle the patient's concerns?

Accepted Answer

A)   "You appear tense."
B)   "I'm not sure I follow you."
C)   "Everything will be all right."
D)   "I notice you are biting your lip." C

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

A)   "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
B)   "Don't talk that way.Of course you will leave here!"
C)   "Keep up the good work and you will be discharged."
D)   "It sounds like you don't feel like you're making progress." D

Question 4

During a therapy session,a patient cries as the nurse explores the relationship of the patient and her now-deceased mother.The patient sobs,"I shouldn't be blubbering like this." A response by the nurse that will hinder communication is:

Accepted Answer

A)   "The relationship with your mother is very painful for you."
B)   "I can see that you feel sad about this situation."
C)   "Why do you think you are so upset?"
D)   "Crying is a way of expressing the hurt you're experiencing."

Question 5

For each statement by a nurse engaged in an interaction with a patient, mark A if the statement is therapeutic and B if it is not therapeutic
-"I'd like to hear more about your difficult relationships at work."

Accepted Answer

The answer of For each statement by a nurse engaged...

Question 6

A Puerto Rican American patient uses dramatic body language when describing recent life events.Select the most accurate explanation of the patient's behavior.

Accepted Answer

A)   The nurse has misinterpreted the behavior.
B)   The patient has a histrionic personality disorder.
C)   Members of this culture use dramatic body language as the norm.
D)   The patient believes dramatic body language is sexually appealing.

Question 7

A patient says,"My marriage is great.My spouse and I usually agree on everything." The nurse observes the patient's foot moving continuously and fingers twirling a shirt button.What assessment can the nurse make? The patient's communication is:

Accepted Answer

A)   clear.
B)   mixed.
C)   explicit.
D)   inadequate.

Question 8

A depressed patient is unable to maintain eye contact with the nurse.The patient's chin drops,and the patient looks at the floor.Which aspect of communication has the nurse assessed?

Accepted Answer

A)   Nonverbal communication
B)   A message filter
C)   A cultural barrier
D)   Social skills

Question 9

The relationship between a nurse and patient as it relates to status and power is best described by which term?

Accepted Answer

A)   Incongruent
B)   Symmetrical
C)   Paralinguistic
D)   Complementary

Question 10

Which remark by the nurse gives a patient verbal tracking feedback?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Describe your relationship with your children."
B)   "Give me an example of not getting along with your children."
C)   "Am I correct in stating you are feeling angry with your children?"
D)   "You're saying you do not have a good relationship with your children?"

Question 11

A nurse working with a depressed patient used humor to lift the patient's spirits.At one point,the patient smiled.Select the best analysis.

Accepted Answer

A)   Humor should be added to interventions in the plan of care.
B)   The nurse helped the patient.The technique was successful.
C)   The nurse needs supervision.The communication technique is not appropriate.
D)   The nurse identified an approach that may prove useful in other,similar situations.

Question 12

Sequence these descriptions of personal space from close to far away.
A) Social distance
B) Public distance
C) Intimate distance
D) Personal distance

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sequence these descriptions of personal space from...

Question 13

Which remark by the nurse would be an appropriate way to begin an interview session?

Accepted Answer

A)   "How shall we start today?"
B)   "Shall we talk about losing your privileges yesterday?"
C)   "Let's get started discussing your marital relationship."
D)   "What happened when your family visited yesterday?"

Question 14

For each statement by a nurse engaged in an interaction with a patient, mark A if the statement is therapeutic and B if it is not therapeutic
-"I noticed your hands trembling when you told me about your accident."

Accepted Answer

The answer of For each statement by a nurse engaged...

Question 15

A patient says,"I dreamed I was stoned.When I woke up,I felt emotionally drained,as though I hadn't rested well." Which comment would be appropriate if the nurse seeks clarification?

Accepted Answer

A)   "It sounds as though you were uncomfortable with the content of your dream."
B)   "I understand what you're saying.Bad dreams leave me feeling tired,too."
C)   "So,all in all,you feel as though you had a rather poor night's sleep?"
D)   "Can you give me an example of what you mean by stoned?"

Question 16

During an interview,a patient attempts to change the focus from self to the nurse by asking personal questions.Select the nurse's most therapeutic response.

Accepted Answer

A)   "Are you trying to avoid answering these questions?"
B)   "I am uncomfortable talking to patients about my personal life."
C)   "I am sure we can solve your problems if you describe them to me."
D)   "The time we spend together is for you to discuss your problems and concerns."

Question 17

A nurse interviews a patient who is having difficulty with self-expression and staying focused.Select the nurse's most helpful comment.

Accepted Answer

A)   "Go on."
B)   "What would you like to discuss?"
C)   "Tell me what is happening right now."
D)   "It seems you are having trouble staying focused."

Question 18

Documentation in a patient's record shows: During 5-minute interaction,patient fidgeted,tapped foot,periodically covered face with hands,looked under chair.Stated,"I enjoy spending time with you." Which assessment is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)   The patient gave positive feedback about the nurse's communication techniques.
B)   The nurse is viewing the patient's behavior through a cultural filter.
C)   The patient's verbal and nonverbal messages were incongruent.
D)   Psychotic thought processes are likely.

Question 19

Which technique communicates to a patient that a nurse is listening?

Accepted Answer

A)   Saying,"You said you were unsure how to handle your feelings."
B)   Commenting,"I understand what you're saying."
C)   Stating,"Your behavior was inappropriate."
D)   Asking,"Do you feel angry?"

Question 20

For each statement by a nurse engaged in an interaction with a patient, mark A if the statement is therapeutic and B if it is not therapeutic
-"Why do you think these events have happened to you?"

Accepted Answer

The answer of For each statement by a nurse engaged...

Exam 10: Communication and the Clinical Interview

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

Which statement by a nurse may underrate a patient's feelings and belittle the patient's concerns?

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

During a therapy session,a patient cries as the nurse explores the relationship of the patient and her now-deceased mother.The patient sobs,"I shouldn't be blubbering like this." A response by the nurse that will hinder communication is:

For each statement by a nurse engaged in an interaction with a patient, mark A if the statement is therapeutic and B if it is not therapeutic -"I'd like to hear more about your difficult relationships at work."

A Puerto Rican American patient uses dramatic body language when describing recent life events.Select the most accurate explanation of the patient's behavior.

A patient says,"My marriage is great.My spouse and I usually agree on everything." The nurse observes the patient's foot moving continuously and fingers twirling a shirt button.What assessment can the nurse make? The patient's communication is:

A depressed patient is unable to maintain eye contact with the nurse.The patient's chin drops,and the patient looks at the floor.Which aspect of communication has the nurse assessed?

The relationship between a nurse and patient as it relates to status and power is best described by which term?

Which remark by the nurse gives a patient verbal tracking feedback?

A nurse working with a depressed patient used humor to lift the patient's spirits.At one point,the patient smiled.Select the best analysis.

Sequence these descriptions of personal space from close to far away. A) Social distance B) Public distance C) Intimate distance D) Personal distance

Which remark by the nurse would be an appropriate way to begin an interview session?

For each statement by a nurse engaged in an interaction with a patient, mark A if the statement is therapeutic and B if it is not therapeutic -"I noticed your hands trembling when you told me about your accident."

A patient says,"I dreamed I was stoned.When I woke up,I felt emotionally drained,as though I hadn't rested well." Which comment would be appropriate if the nurse seeks clarification?

During an interview,a patient attempts to change the focus from self to the nurse by asking personal questions.Select the nurse's most therapeutic response.

A nurse interviews a patient who is having difficulty with self-expression and staying focused.Select the nurse's most helpful comment.

Documentation in a patient's record shows: During 5-minute interaction,patient fidgeted,tapped foot,periodically covered face with hands,looked under chair.Stated,"I enjoy spending time with you." Which assessment is most accurate?

Which technique communicates to a patient that a nurse is listening?

For each statement by a nurse engaged in an interaction with a patient, mark A if the statement is therapeutic and B if it is not therapeutic -"Why do you think these events have happened to you?"