Exam 18: Effective Communication and Conflict Resolution

Which component of an e-mail shown below would be effective?

An RN is consistently late to work, causing reassignment of patient care and the need for repeated shift reports. The nurse, who receives a warning for repeated tardiness, states, "My husband left me, I have no car, no family close by, and the bus is always late, which makes me late. The nurse manager doesn't care how hard I try to get here, and I am raising a child by myself." The nurse is using which type of logical fallacy?

The nurse is demonstrating active listening when:

A nurse is preparing an exercise program as part of a health promotion program for older adults with osteoporosis. Which question would retrieve the most valuable information about health practices?

During height and weight assessments at a school's health fair, a child admits to drinking a cup of coffee with his mother every morning, and another child reports enjoying a morning cup of coffee on the commute to school. These two children are both below average on the height chart, and the nurse states, "Drinking coffee stunts a child's growth." This logical fallacy is referred to as:

A male nurse hired to work in the emergency department is observed throwing a contaminated needle into the trash can. The team leader reprimands the nurse for not appropriately disposing of sharps. The nurse states, "You don't care that I threw the needle in the trash. You just want an all-female staff," putting the team leader in a defensive position. This communication technique is known as:

A nurse gives Dilantin intravenously with lactated Ringer's solution containing multivitamins. The drug precipitates and obstructs the only existing line. When the team leader informs the nurse that these drugs cannot be mixed, the nurse states, "Everyone just pushes the medicine slowly. No one checks for compatibility. There isn't even a compatibility chart on the unit." Which type of logical fallacy has influenced the nurse?

During a staff meeting, a nurse who is mentoring new BSN graduate states, "We are lucky to have a new nurse join our staff who is a BSN graduate from our local university." Another staff nurse is heard saying, "BSN. BSN is you don't have a BSN you aren't valued. You don't see anyone welcoming any nurses with associate degrees-we are not valued." The conversation places the mentor in a negative position when her intention was simply to welcome the new employee. The staff nurse's negative response represents which logical fallacy?

A patient's spouse was just diagnosed with lung cancer although there was no history of tobacco use. The spouse states, "I am so mad. How can you get cancer without smoking?" Which statement by the nurse represents empathy?

During a health history interview, the nurse listens to a patient relating the precipitating events that led to the onset of chest pain. She focuses her attention on the patient, makes eye contact, and acknowledges what the patient has to say. The nurse is exhibiting:

A nurse wants to apply open communication to obtain a thorough history and to determine cognitive function. Which question represents the use of open communication?

An older adult is unable to reach the phone and is found dead at home several hours later. The son of the deceased person arrives at the hospital and asks, "Can I just please stay and hold my dad's hand? He was so afraid of dying alone." Which response by the nurse shows empathy?

A new mother is experiencing pain after delivering an infant with Down syndrome. The staff nurse states, "I don't think she is really hurting. Let the next shift give the pain medication." The team leader notices the staff nurse looks agitated and anxious and asks about any concerns in providing care to this new mom. The staff nurse admits having a stillborn infant with Down syndrome. This is an example of which component of communication?

A nurse is asked to "float" to another area where the patients require total care. The nurse smiles, picks up her stethoscope, and says, "I'll come back and eat lunch with everyone here." When she enters the elevator she hits the wall and mutters, "Always me. Don't I have any rights"? The nurse is demonstrating which communication style?

In today's world of fast, effective communication, what is the most commonly used means of societal communication?

A group of nurses are meeting to decide how to staff the upcoming holidays. Each of the four members freely expresses thoughts about fair staffing but is willing to listen to others thoughts and reconsider their first recommendations. The nurses are avoiding conflict and supporting professional communication through:

A nurse is overhead saying, "I don't mind working during the election and holiday. My parents are divorced, money is tight, and honestly I don't trust any politicians anyway. I plan to take a few weeks off next month." She works independently to research strategies to improve patient-centered care for the large number of immigrants that arrived in the area and then works with the team to share ideas. She recommends, "Let's think the suggestions over and come back together next week." This nurse's communication style is consistent with which generation?

A teenage patient is using earphones to listen to hard rock music and is making gestures in rhythm to the music. The nurse assesses the amount of urine output in the Foley catheter and leaves the room. What communication technique is demonstrated in both of these situations?

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) has been practicing for 25 years on a unit where a newly graduated RN with a bachelor's degree is hired. Before the RN arrives on the unit, the LPN is heard saying, "She'll try to tell everyone what to do because she makes more money. She'll sit at the desk and let us do all the work." This is an example of a(n):

A nurse is listening to a patient's apical heart rate. The patient asks, "Is everything okay?" The nurse says nothing and shrugs her shoulders. The nurse is demonstrating: