Deck 27: Communicating

Question 1

When assessing verbal communication, the nurse focuses on:

A) Content of the message.
B) Facial expression.
C) Themes.
D) Tone of voice.
E) Eye contact.
F) Verbalised emotions.

Answer 1

Content of the message.
Themes.
Verbalised emotions.

Question 2

The nurse enters a client's room and finds that the phone is lying in the client's lap, tissues are wadded up on the bed, and the client's eyes are red and watery. The best response by the nurse is:

A) "Can I hang that phone up for you?"
B) "Has your doctor been in to talk to you yet?"
C) "You look upset. Is there anything you'd like to talk about?"
D) "Well, it's a beautiful day outside. Let's open the blinds."

Answer 2

"You look upset. Is there anything you'd like to talk about?"

Question 3

In order to gain the necessary information about a client's situation, the nurse must be able to ask open-ended questions. Which of the following is a good example of this type of communication?

A) "Are you having pain?"
B) "Is there anything I can do for you?"
C) "What brings you to the hospital?"
D) "Does your pain feel better or worse today?"

Answer 3

"What brings you to the hospital?"

Question 4

During the introductory phase of the helping relationship there are specific stages. Which of the following apply?

A) Opening the relationship.
B) Clarifying the problem.
C) Structuring and formulating the contract.
D) Planning before the interview.

Question 5

An older person with hearing impairment requires education about using an inhaler. The nurse is implementing strategies to promote communication. Which of the following would be appropriate for the client in this situation?

A) Employing an interpreter.
B) Facing the client when speaking.
C) Making sure that the language spoken is the client's dominant language.
D) Using a picture board to facilitate communication.

Question 6

The nurse is conducting an admission interview. Which of the following indicates that the nurse is actively listening to the client's explanations?

A) "Can you explain what your symptoms are like?"
B) "When was the last time you saw a doctor for this?"
C) "I'm sorry, say that again?"
D) "Uh-huh", while nodding the head.

Question 7

A nurse is working on a telemetry unit when one of the clients has a cardiac arrest. The client's spouse is in the room when the arrest team arrives. Which statement by the nurse is the best, in this situation?

A) "Your spouse's heart stopped. All these people are here to help get it started."
B) "Your spouse's doctor will be here shortly and explain all of the medication and treatment that your spouse is receiving right now."
C) "I know you're worried about your loved one. I'm sure this is a difficult situation for you. Do you have any questions right now?"
D) "Is there someone you would like to call? I'm sure this is a scary situation and you may feel more comfortable if someone were with you during this time."

Question 8

A nurse enters a client's room and asks about his level of pain. The client, grimacing, says, "It's fine". Which of the factors of communication is the client struggling with?

A) Environment.
B) Congruence.
C) Attitude.
D) Territoriality.

Question 9

A nurse is working in a paediatric clinic and has to explain a nebuliser treatment to a child. Which of the following would be the most appropriate?

A) Make sure that the physician is available for questions.
B) Start the treatment, but make sure that the parent is there to comfort the child if she becomes afraid.
C) Give the child's parent a full explanation, but make sure the child does not hear what is said.
D) Give the child's parent a full explanation, but make sure the child hears what is said.

Question 10

A nurse is giving a demonstration of new equipment to the rest of the nursing unit. Which distance zone would be appropriate for this situation?

A) Personal.
B) Public.
C) Intimate.
D) Social.

Question 11

A nurse is working with an older adult male client on a medical unit. Which statement by the nurse is an example of elder-speak?

A) "Your children must really love their dad."
B) "It's time for us to go to physical therapy."
C) "I think it would be better if you were planning to go to a nursing home after discharge."
D) "Your wife must be having trouble adjusting to your illness."

Question 12

A nurse explains to a client that he will need to have a bowel prep before going to his oesophagogastroscopy. The nurse should focus on improving which of the following?

A) Pace.
B) Simplicity.
C) Clarity.
D) Intonation.

Question 13

The nurse needs to explain how the call bell works to a hearing impaired client, by:

A) shouting the instructions whilst reaching for the call bell.
B) showing her family how to use it and let them explain it.
C) finding a quiet area and talking directly to client.
D) talking normally as the client has a hearing aid.

Question 14

A client has been sullen and withdrawn since receiving the news of her cancer diagnosis. As the nurse enters the room, the client asks for assistance with a shower. Which comment by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) "Your spouse will be glad to see that you're feeling better."
B) "This is a positive sign. I'll be right back with your supplies."
C) "If you look better, you might feel better."
D) "Taking a shower might wash away some of that gloom and doom."

Question 15

Several nurses have been asked to put together a proposal to help implement a method for self-scheduling. They are given the task of developing a rotation schedule that provides adequate staffing of all shifts. This is an example of which type of group?

A) Therapy group.
B) Self-help group.
C) Task group.
D) Teaching group.

Question 16

During an interaction between a nurse and client, the nurse conveys respect and an attitude that shows the nurse takes the client's opinions seriously. This would happen during which stage of the working phase?

A) Exploring and understanding thoughts and feelings.
B) Confrontation.
C) Concreteness.
D) Facilitating and taking action.

Question 17

A nurse must perform a catheterisation on a male client. Which of the zones of proximity would be most appropriate?

A) Social distance.
B) Intimate distance.
C) Public distance.
D) Personal distance.

Question 18

A client has just lost her second baby to preterm complications. The best therapeutic response by the nurse is:

A) "Didn't your doctor advise you about genetic counselling?"
B) "Don't be so sad. You can always try again."
C) "I know how you feel. I have children of my own."
D) "I am so sad for you. I'll stay with you for a while if you need to talk."

Question 19

A nurse needs to evaluate the effectiveness of a teaching session with a client. Which of the following would provide the best feedback?

A) Mentor observation.
B) Client communication.
C) Therapeutic communication.
D) Verbal communication.

Question 20

The nurse is changing a client's dressing and notes that the wound is obviously infected. The drainage is purulent and has a foul odour. When asked how the wound looks, the nurse says "It looks fine" even though his face tells a different story. This nurse needs to work on which aspect of communication?

A) Credibility.
B) Clarity and brevity.
C) Timing and relevance.
D) Adaptability.

Question 21

Assertive communication is an appropriate approach for nurses to use in the clinical area. It decreases the risk for miscommunication with colleagues, clients and their families. Which of the following would be an example of this type of communication technique when a nurse is addressing a doctor?

A) "You should visit with the client's family about the upcoming procedure."
B) "I am concerned that the client does not have adequate pain management."
C) "We need to be more aware of the situation among the client and the client's family."
D) "You need to check the laboratory results of the client in room 423."

Question 22

Which of the following would reflect assertive communication between a nurse and the treating doctor?

A) "It's your job to review pathology results, not mine."
B) "I am concerned about this pathology result, could you review it, please?"
C) "I'm sorry to bother you, Doctor, but I have left those pathology results here."
D) "I am forever chasing you to review results."

Question 23

Which of the following would not be appropriate to address workplace bullying?

A) Act as a role model by discouraging gossip and "backstabbing".
B) Engage in honest open communication about problems rather than people.
C) Engage in quality reviews of processes rather than people.
D) Conformity and compliance.

Question 24

Collegial communication is important for:

A) professional competency.
B) patient-nurse therapeutic relationships.
C) interpreting foreign languages.
D) managing bullying and harassment.

Question 25

Horizontal violence can undermine the effectiveness of communications. Of the following, which factors can be involved?

A) Being 'taken for granted'.
B) Withholding information.
C) Incompetence.
D) Intimidating behaviours.
E) Inequitable rosters.
F) Non-verbal innuendo.
G) Criticism.
H) Lack of promotion.