Deck 4: Communication

Question 1

A nurse must violate the personal space of a patient to perform an invasive procedure. How can the nurse reduce the discomfort of the patient?

A) By approaching the interaction in a professional manner
B) By distracting the patient with jokes and humor
C) By asking another nurse to be present at the bedside
D) By assuring the patient that all people dislike invasion of personal space

Answer 1

By approaching the interaction in a professional manner

Question 2

A patient states, "I'm really strung out about this pregnancy." The nurse responds by asking, "What about this pregnancy worries you?" What communication technique is this?

A) Closed inquiry
B) Restating
C) Open-ended question
D) Minimal encouraging

Answer 2

Open-ended question

Question 3

What therapeutic communication technique requires a great deal of skill and is not used as frequently as other communication techniques?

A) Touch
B) Silence
C) Listening
D) Summarizing

Answer 3

Silence

Question 4

What would be the best method for a literate, English-speaking patient on a ventilator to communicate his or her needs?

A) Eye blinking for "yes" and "no"
B) Magic slate or paper and pencil
C) Computer
D) Message board or cards

Question 5

What is one of the main characteristics of therapeutic communication?

A) It allows the patient a passive role.
B) It uses only verbal communication.
C) It involves the patient as a person.
D) It is directive.

Question 6

What communication technique should the nurse use when communicating with an unresponsive patient?

A) Avoid speaking directly to the patient
B) Assume verbal stimuli are heard
C) Speak in a loud voice
D) Use simple words

Question 7

A grieving young widow cries out, "Why was my husband killed? Why wasn't it me?" What is the nurse's best response?

A) Stating "You need to be strong for your children."
B) Silently placing her hand on the widow's arm.
C) Asking if there is anyone the widow needs to have notified.
D) Stating "You are feeling overwhelmed about your husband's death."

Question 8

A nurse actively avoids the use of one-way communication. What is the major problem with one-way communication?

A) The receiver is in control.
B) Feedback is provided to the sender.
C) Participation is not equal.
D) The communication is unstructured.

Question 9

The nurse considers the feelings and needs of a patient by stating, "I know you are concerned about your surgery tomorrow. How can I help you?" What type of communication is this?

A) Intrusive
B) Aggressive
C) Closed
D) Assertive

Question 10

What does therapeutic communication accomplish?

A) Facilitates the formation of a positive nurse-patient relationship
B) Manipulates the patient
C) Assigns the patient a passive role
D) Requires the patient to accept what the nurse says

Question 11

Although the patient denies pain, the nurse observes the patient breathing rapidly with clenched fists and facial grimacing. What is the nurse's best response to these observations?

A) "I am glad you are feeling better and have no discomfort."
B) "Where do you hurt?"
C) "What you are saying and what I am observing don't seem to match."
D) "It makes me uncomfortable when you are not honest with me."

Question 12

If the nurse aggressively says to a patient, "Why couldn't you have asked me to give you your pain medication when I was in here earlier?" what feeling is the patient most likely to demonstrate?

A) Anger
B) Satisfaction that his needs are met
C) Humiliation and worthlessness
D) Confidence that his request will be granted

Question 13

A patient states, "I do cocaine when I feel things are out of my control." The nurse responds by asking, "What else does cocaine do for you?" What communication skill does this exemplify?

A) Summarization
B) Restating
C) Showing acceptance
D) Stating observations

Question 14

A nurse is assessing a patient with a nursing diagnosis of impaired verbal communication. What is the lowest number of defining characteristics for this diagnosis?

A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four

Question 15

A nurse tells a patient, "This PM you are going for an abdominal A&P, an H&H, as well as an IV pyelogram. Please sign these consent forms." What may this use of medical jargon cause?

A) Understanding
B) Speed in communication
C) Misinterpretation
D) Clarity in the message

Question 16

A nurse is standing at the bedside with the patient lying in bed. What can the nurse be construed as demonstrating?

A) Interest
B) Power
C) Caring
D) Support

Question 17

If in response to the patient statement, "I am upset about all this lab work" the nurse responds, "You're upset?" What is this is an example of?

A) An open-ended question
B) Reflecting
C) Restating
D) Paraphrasing

Question 18

The nurse is sitting in a chair near the patient's bed, leaning forward to hear what the patient is saying, and does not interrupt. What is the nurse demonstrating?

A) Support
B) Caring
C) Active listening
D) Interest

Question 19

A patient roughly asks the nurse to bring him some ice cream. What would be considered an assertive response by the nurse?

A) "You are hungry and want a snack."
B) "I can do that in 10 minutes when I finish my rounds."
C) "Maybe I can get one of the aides to bring you something in a while."
D) "Call the nursing station and ask them to have the kitchen bring whatever you want."

Question 20

A patient does not speak English; therefore, the nurse cannot use words to provide comfort during a painful procedure. What is another intervention that may provide comfort to this patient?

A) Silence
B) Listening
C) Touch
D) Restating

Question 21

A patient states, "My husband has told me how he feels about my having a mastectomy." The nurse nods and says, "Go on." This is an example of:

A) clarifying.
B) restating.
C) focusing.
D) minimal encouraging.

Question 22

Which defining characteristics support the nursing diagnosis of impaired verbal communication? (Select all that apply.)

A) Aphasia
B) Geriatric patients
C) Profoundly deaf
D) Legally blind
E) Severe COPD

Question 23

How may a nurse caring for a pediatric patient best be perceived as nonthreatening?

A) Tightly crossing her arms
B) Maintaining an open posture
C) Maintaining a tense posture
D) Standing at the bedside

Question 24

A nurse frequently looks at her watch when giving a patient a bed bath. What message is most likely conveyed to the patient from the nurse?

A) She desires to spend more time with the patient.
B) She is anxious to listen to the patient's concerns.
C) She is feeling hurried.
D) She likes her watch.

Question 25

When speaking to a person of a different culture, how should the nurse consider modifying his or her communication style? (Select all that apply.)

A) Speak slowly and with increased volume
B) Use of touch
C) Use of eye contact
D) Reference of address
E) Meaning of gestures

Question 26

When listening to a patient, what action by the nurse demonstrates disinterest and coldness?

A) Tightly crossing her arms
B) Uncrossing her arms
C) Uncrossing her legs
D) Facing the patient

Question 27

What is true about the use of touch in therapeutic communication? (Select all that apply.)

A) Touch is a form of nonverbal communication.
B) Touch is a form of verbal communication.
C) Touch should be used with indiscretion.
D) Touch can convey warmth and caring.
E) Touch can convey support and understanding.
F) Touch should be used sincerely and genuinely.

Question 28

Which question below is open-ended?

A) "Are you going to Europe this fall?"
B) "Are you sailing to Europe?"
C) "What are you most looking forward to in Europe?"
D) "Have you been to Europe before?"
E) "Where in Europe are you going?"
F) Extended eye contact can lead to heightened anxiety.

Question 29

A nurse is caring for a newly admitted diabetic patient and is performing the initial assessment. What statement made by the nurse demonstrates use of a closed question?

A) "What time do you take your insulin?"
B) "How do you feel about taking insulin?'
C) "Tell me about your support system."
D) "How do you feel about having diabetes?"

Question 30

How can the nurse demonstrate warmth and acceptance when listening to a patient?

A) Tightly crossing her arms
B) Uncrossing her arms
C) Tightly crossing her legs
D) Facing away from the patient

Question 31

A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing respiratory distress. The physician places an endotracheal tube. What is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for this patient?

A) Ineffective coping
B) Risk for infection
C) Altered nutrition: less than body requirements
D) Impaired verbal communication

Question 32

What does maintaining eye contact for 2 to 6 seconds during communication with a patient do?

A) Keeps the nurse's attention on the conversation
B) Counteracts shyness in the patient
C) Indicates continuous focused attention
D) Assesses if the patient is involved in the conversation

Question 33

Which are true regarding communicating while using eye contact? (Select all that apply.)

A) Eye contact is responsible for much communication.
B) Eye contact is responsible for much miscommunication.
C) Making eye contact generally indicates an intention to interact.
D) Eye contact always results in a positive outcome.
E) Extended eye contact can imply aggression.
F) Extended eye contact can lead to heightened anxiety

Question 34

Which are examples of passive listening? (Select all that apply.)

A) The nurse nods frequently while the patient speaks.
B) The nurse maintains eye contact while listening to the patient.
C) The nurse occasionally interjects, "I see," when listening to the patient.
D) The nurse gives verbal feedback to the patient.
E) The nurse verbally interprets the meaning of what the patient has said.

Question 35

A nurse communicates with a patient by maintaining eye contact and through the use of touch. What type of communication technique is the nurse demonstrating?

A) Verbal
B) Persuasive
C) Directive
D) Nonverbal

Question 36

A nurse is communicating with an older adult. How might the nurse enhance communication?

A) Speak in a rapid manner to accommodate the patient's short attention span.
B) Speak in a lower voice tone to accommodate hearing loss.
C) Speak in a simple manner as if speaking to a child.
D) Speak in a loud voice directly at ear level.

Question 37

A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing excruciating pain and requires frequent administration of analgesics. What statement would be an example of the nurse demonstrating aggressive communication?

A) "Please let me know when you start to have pain."
B) "Let's practice some guided imagery."
C) "Let's try repositioning you."
D) "I will only medicate you every 4 hours."

Question 38

The nurse recognizes that a patient experiencing stress feels vulnerable. What would be the most appropriate way for the nurse to intervene?

A) Use technical language
B) Direct the conversation
C) Modify communication methods
D) Offer all the information

Question 39

During a complete assessment, which type of questioning is not usually conducive to fostering communication?

A) Open-ended
B) Focused
C) Closed
D) Clarifying

Question 40

A nurse examines whether patient interventions have been appropriate and expected outcomes have been met. The nurse is demonstrating which step in the nursing process?

A) Assessment
B) Planning
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation

Question 41

A patient with aphasia who cannot understand a spoken or written message is said to have ___________ aphasia.

Question 42

____________ is the reciprocal process in which messages are sent and received between people.

Question 43

When a nurse lectures to a large group, the method of communication is usually in the form of ____________ communication.

Question 44

The nurse explains to a patient that based on the description of "personal space," the area within 18 inches of the patient is designated as the ____________ zone.

Question 45

As the nurse listens to a supervisor, the nurse has a smile on her face but has crossed her arms in front of her chest and has crossed her legs. This is an example of a __________ posture.

Question 46

The term that describes an individual's perception or understanding of a particular word or phrase is _____________.

Question 47

What is true about the use of silence in therapeutic communication? (Select all that apply.)

A) Maintaining silence is an effective therapeutic communication technique.
B) Maintaining silence is generally overused in therapeutic communication.
C) The sender often becomes uncomfortable when using silence.
D) The ability to use silence effectively requires skill and timing.
E) Prolonged periods of misunderstood silence can cause tension.
F) Purposeful use of silence often conveys lack of respect.

Question 48

The ___________ is the person conveying the message, whereas the ____________ is the individual or individuals to whom the message is conveyed.