Exam 10: Communicating Effectively

A nurse has made several "near errors" in client care in the last 2 months. The nurse manager says, "These are simple errors. You just aren't listening." How could the nurse improve listening skills in this situation? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A nurse manager approaches the nursing supervisor with a request for approval to incorporate 12-hour shifts into scheduling. The supervisor denies the request, stating this staffing pattern was used previously with poor outcomes. Which responses by the nurse manager may positively influence the supervisor? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

During an evaluation conference, the nurse manager observes nonverbal messages, including nodding in agreement and smiling. These behaviors are examples of which aspect of communication?

A nurse often has difficulty explaining and getting a clear message through to the receiver. Which communication skills will help the nurse to improve communication. Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and not incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

The nurse asks the nurse manager if he can go home early because the census is low. When the request is denied, the nurse states, "I don't understand why I can't leave early. I will use vacation time, and this will help minimize personnel costs for the shift." This statement is an example of which technique of influencing the supervisor?

A nurse plans to seek employment in an acute-care setting after graduation. Which form of communication would be most effective in applying for a position?

The nursing supervisor is planning an education session on collaborative communication between nurses and physicians. Which topics should be on this agenda? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

The nurse manager works at a rural hospital and is in charge of a medical unit. Another nurse manager is in charge of the adjacent surgical unit. Equipment is shared between the two units. The surgical unit manager frequently confronts and intimidates the manager of the medical unit regarding the use of the equipment. Which strategies could the manager of the medical unit use to generate feelings of personal power? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and not incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

The nurse manager is counseling a male nurse about several recent incidents in which female nurses complained that he was abrupt and condescending. What advice should the manager give this nurse?

A nurse manager is aware that there is a strong "grapevine" communication system on the unit. The manager elects to use this grapevine to distribute information about an upcoming change in unit policy. In making this decision, the manager should consider which possibilities? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

In the morning care conference, the nurse instructs the assistant to feed breakfast to the clients in beds 2234, 2230, and 2241. The assistant indicates understanding of the assignment and repeats the bed numbers back to the nurse. What is the nurse's next step?

In which situation should the nurse be most concerned that communication was distorted?

The nurse manager has asked that another staff nurse position be funded for the unit. The supervisor denies the request. Which statements by the manager are examples of negative assertion? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Which example represents a qualifier that may interfere with the message being communicated?

The nurse has been concentrating on improving personal communication skills. Which option represents the final step in this nurse's work to improve communication?

A problem has arisen on a unit with primarily Generation X nursing staff. Which strategies should the nurse manager employ to get staff input into solving this problem? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

The hospital chief operating officer holds monthly focus groups with the purpose of gaining ideas and insights from nursing administration and staff nurses. Which type of communication does this indicate?

The nurse is always intimidated when asking a physician to clarify orders. Which statements should the nurse use to help counteract this feeling? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

What is the most important reason that excellent communication skills are essential for nurses?

The nurse has a concern regarding the quality of care being provided in the hospital. What should the nurse consider first before communicating this concern?