Deck 5: Communicating with Older Adults

Question 1

The 93-year-old woman with chronic back pain is found crying. When the nurse approaches, the patient says, "I know you can't do anything more, but I hurt so bad." What nursing intervention would be most effective?

A) Bring pain medication when it is time for it.
B) Assure the patient that the pain medication will take effect soon.
C) Touch the patient's shoulder and sit quietly without speaking.
D) Distract the patient by offering a sip of water.

Answer 1

Touch the patient's shoulder and sit quietly without speaking.

Question 2

The white female nurse is concerned that the 80-year-old African-American male patient is not being truthful with her because of his

A) lack of eye contact.
B) smiling facial expression.
C) tone of voice.
D) body language.

Answer 2

lack of eye contact.

Question 3

Which of the following best defines therapeutic communication?

A) Has a specific intent or purpose
B) Is the only form of professional communication
C) Should never be used in a social setting
D) Requires no special skills, just a willingness to listen

Answer 3

Has a specific intent or purpose

Question 4

When using an interpreter to speak with an 84-year-old Chinese patient, on what should the nurse focus?

A) The patient, not the interpreter
B) Encouraging the interpreter to paraphrase
C) Limiting questions from the patient
D) Listening to the words, not emotional tone

Question 5

The patient denies smoking, although the smell of tobacco is strong in his hospital room. Which of the following statements by the nurse would be the most effective?

A) "Don't bother to lie to me. I know you've been smoking."
B) "It is very dangerous to smoke in bed."
C) "The hospital has policies against smoking."
D) "I can smell the tobacco, and I see your lighter on the bedside table."

Question 6

What is true of direct questions?

A) They can get a lot of information quickly.
B) They can help the patients organize their thoughts.
C) They get minimum response answers of "yes" and "no."
D) They make patients think that they are contributing to their health care.

Question 7

When entering the room of an older adult to insert a catheter, what would be the most effective approach by the nurse?

A) Touch the patient and say, "I need to insert this catheter."
B) Approach the bed, turn back the cover, and announce, "The doctor wants a urine specimen."
C) Open catheter tray at bedside, turn back the cover, and say, "Is it okay to put a tube in your bladder?"
D) Introduce yourself at the door and ask, "May I insert this catheter for a urine specimen?"

Question 8

Why is it important for the nurse to be cautious when using medical jargon with an older adult patient?

A) It could become an opportunity to instruct the patient.
B) It could become an effective abbreviated communication shortcut.
C) It could become an indicator of formal communication.
D) It could become a communication barrier.

Question 9

What is the best method of communication for a patient with aphasia?

A) A notepad
B) Speaking slowly
C) Worded flash cards
D) Gestures

Question 10

The nurse is entering the room of a new 85-year-old female patient to complete the admission process. How should the nurse initiate the conversation?

A) "Good morning, Mary. We need to get some questions answered."
B) "Welcome to 4B, Mrs. Miller. I'd like to get some additional information, if I may."
C) "Hello, sweetie. I'll bet you thought all the admission stuff was finished, didn't you?"
D) "I need to finish the admission. What is your name?"

Question 11

The nurse is engaging the patient in social conversation. What is the benefit of social conversation in the health care setting?

A) It lets the patient know that he or she is considered to be a person, not just a patient.
B) It encourages sharing of intimate details.
C) It establishes the nurse's role as a health care provider.
D) It blocks more meaningful therapeutic communication.

Question 12

When the nurse answers the call light after a delay of 5 minutes, the angry patient says, "You made me wait an hour. I'm in pain and no one's willing to help me." What is the best response by the nurse?

A) "It's only been 5 minutes. What do you want?"
B) "Well, I'm here now. What is your problem?"
C) "I know it must have seemed like an hour. I'll bring your medication."
D) "I was attending to another patient who's really ill. I'll help you now."

Question 13

The nurse is informing a patient about an upcoming diagnostic procedure. What statement by the nurse would demonstrate effective communication?

A) "Mr. Brown, your leg is to be x-rayed in the x-ray department in an hour."
B) "X-ray is coming to get you for an AP and lateral of your chest."
C) "You can't eat anything after supper because of some lab work."
D) "Mrs. Smith, the OR has notified us that they're running behind."

Question 14

The patient says, "When I came to the hospital yesterday, everything got confused." What would be the best response by the nurse?

A) "What happened?"
B) "Yes, hospital admissions can be confusing."
C) "Are you confused now?"
D) "We really try to make admissions less stressful."

Question 15

When the nurse is inquiring about the patient's level of pain, which of the following statements would best support the patient?

A) "Does your stomach hurt now?"
B) "How would you describe your pain?"
C) "When the pain occurs, does the medicine help?"
D) "Do you use more than one pain remedy?"

Question 16

Seeing a patient with his head in his arms resting on the over-the-bed table, the nurse steps into the room and asks if the patient feels ill. The patient, without raising his head, says, "I'm fine." What would be an appropriate response of the nurse?

A) Sit down next to the bed and say, "You don't act fine."
B) Pat him on the shoulder and continue on rounds.
C) Say, from the doorway, "If you need anything, just call me."
D) Assist the patient to sit up and say, "Now, that's much better, isn't it?"

Question 17

What percent of communication is transmitted by verbal methods?

A) 7
B) 18
C) 22
D) 36

Question 18

What is the goal of empathetic listening?

A) It encourages the patient to divulge information.
B) It allows for time to pose another question to the patient.
C) It indicates the conversation has come to a close.
D) It allows the nurse to interpret what the patient has said.

Question 19

When asked about the severity of pain, the 93-year-old patient does not answer right away. What is the best response by the nurse?

A) Ask rapid questions: "Is it better? Is it worse than yesterday? Is it worse than this morning?"
B) Repeat the question in a louder voice.
C) Say, "You must be feeling better because you're not complaining."
D) Keep eye contact and wait for the answer.

Question 20

What can the nurse do to improve communication with an older adult patient who has a hearing impairment?

A) Speak in a higher tone, standing directly in front of the patient.
B) Speak more loudly from several feet away.
C) Speak normally with exaggerated hand gestures.
D) Speak in a low tone, bending close to the patient.

Question 21

In what respect do Baby Boombers differ from young adults? (Select all that apply.)

A) Experience with technology
B) Attitude about lifestyles
C) Value of money
D) Methods of communication
E) Perceptions of gender roles

Question 22

The nurse is sensitive to the use of nonverbal communication from patients, which includes the interpretation of __________. (Select all that apply.)

A) choice of words
B) voice tone
C) body language
D) gestures
E) facial expressions

Question 23

The nurse must tell a 94-year-old resident of a nursing home that his wife has fallen and has been hospitalized with a broken hip. What is the most effective method for the nurse to deliver the news?

A) Hurry through the conversation to spare the resident.
B) Conserve time by delaying plans for follow-up.
C) Use social conversation before the delivery of the information.
D) Gather all pertinent information that is accurate.

Question 24

Which of the following examples represent "elderspeak?" (Select all that apply.)

A) "Ok, honey, let's get a bath now."
B) "Oh, dear! We better get you a clean diaper."
C) "Today is Tuesday, Mr. Brown. It's your dialysis day."
D) "My gracious, Mary! What in the world are you doing out here in the hall?"
E) "You naughty girl! Just look at the front of your dress."

Question 25

What is successful communication dependent on? (Select all that apply.)

A) The need to share information with someone else
B) Empathetic listening
C) Assessing or correcting communication barriers
D) Using perfect grammar
E) Use of a variety of communication skills

Question 26

What should the nurse base her communication approach on for the most effective communication? (Select all that apply.)

A) Culture
B) Ethnicity
C) Income level
D) Perspective
E) Level of education

Question 27

What would the nurse be conveying when using touch as a form of communication? (Select all that apply.)

A) Affection
B) Understanding
C) Concern
D) Apathy
E) Acknowledgment

Question 28

The area 12 feet from a person and beyond is known as _____ space.

A) public
B) social
C) personal
D) intimate

Question 29

What is the correct term for the area between 18 inches and 4 feet of a person?

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

Question 30

The area between 4 and 12 feet of a person is commonly referred to as which of the following?

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

Question 31

What is the correct terminology for the area within 18 inches of a person?

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

Question 32

What are communication barriers that are encountered when conversing with an older adult? (Select all that apply.)

A) Hearing impairment
B) Language differences
C) Dementia
D) Pain
E) Decreased mobility