Deck 19: Organizational, Interpersonal, and Group Communication

Question 1

What is the best combination that characterizes the communication process?

A) Sender-receiver-message
B) Receiver-message-sender
C) Sender-message-receiver
D) Message-sender-receiver

Answer 1

Sender-message-receiver

Question 2

When does communication have the greatest likelihood of being accurately interpreted?

A) More than one mode is used
B) Face-to-face communication is used
C) Written communication is used
D) The sender repeats the message using the same mode

Answer 2

More than one mode is used

Question 3

Which statement concerning nonverbal communication is true?

A) It is consistent across cultures
B) It is given more credence than verbal communication when the two are incongruent
C) It should be minimized because it confuses the receiver regarding the true intent of the message
D) It is a significant part of the communication exchange only when it is not congruent with the verbal exchange

Answer 3

It is given more credence than verbal communication when the two are incongruent

Question 4

An RN is a team leader for a small module of patients. While listening to a
Tape-recorded report on Mr. Smith, one of your team members remarks, "My mother lives near him and she says his wife is a terrible housekeeper." As the leader of the team, what will the RN do?

A) Ask the informant to be quiet
B) Include the information in report for the next shift
C) Ask the team member what the purpose was in sharing the information
D) Ignore the comment

Question 5

The hospital is facing low census and downsizing. However, the RNs have been assured that everyone on the unit will keep their jobs and downsizing will occur through normal attrition and voluntary absences without pay. Today, the evening charge nurse reported that last evening the staff was discussing various rumors about mass layoffs. What is the best approach to take?

A) Tell an informal leader on the evening shift the truth and let the leader spread the news informally
B) Hold a meeting for all staff members and tell them that the rumor is not true
C) Ignore the rumor becau se it will soon pass
D) Find out who started the rumor and correct the information

Question 6

Which behaviors would be associated with a group in the "norming" stage?

A) Group members actively attempt to impress each other with their credentials
B) Group members establish short- and long-term goals for the group to accomplish
C) Group members achieve stated goals
D) The group terminates and celebrates its accomplishments

Question 7

Which statement describes assertive communication?

A) It makes you respect yourself and allows you to get what you want
B) Although it is unfeminine, it is a necessary communication skill for female managers
C) It involves rights and responsibilities for all parties in the communication
D) Assertive communication will never offend anyone

Question 8

An RN is orienting a new graduate nurse to the unit and has found this individual's charting to be inadequate. What is the most appropriate statement to initiate a discussion with the new RN?

A) "Tell me in your own words what you intend your charting to convey."
B) "Your charting is non-descriptive."
C) "Do you think a refresher course in charting would help you?"
D) "Are you having difficulty assessing your patient?"

Question 9

The RN overhears the nurses' aide speaking in a harsh tone to Mrs. Smith, who has some early Alzheimer's memory loss. Which statement will the RN make to begin addressing this issue?

A) "You must remember to watch your tone of voice with patients. Someone might overhear."
B) "Do you think it would be a good idea to have an in-service on dealing with Alzheimer's patients?"
C) "I am concerned about your conversation with Mrs. Smith. It seemed short and impatient."
D) "I have decided to reassign Mrs. Smith to another aide."

Question 10

Which statement describes the informal communication referred to as "the grapevine?

A) Most personnel engaging in the unofficial exchange of information.
B) Information exchange is initiated by subordinates and directed upward
C) Information is conveyed unofficially by administration through department heads
D) The exchange of information initiated by someone in a staff position to someone in a line position

Question 11

Which statement regarding a memo is true?

A) A memo makes it main point at least twice
B) A memo is written using an authoritative format
C) Headings are not used in a memo to avoid confusing the reader
D) Only essential information is included in a memo

Question 12

Regarding group building, what is the responsibility of the gatekeeper?

A) Mediating, harmonizing, and resolving conflict
B) Accepting and praising the contributions and viewpoints of group members
C) Facilitating and promoting open communication of all group members
D) Recording the group's process and providing feedback to the group

Question 13

What statement about the maintenance of confidentiality is true?

A) It must never be breached
B) It is made easier with electronic technology
C) It is primarily the duty of the medical records staff
D) It can be breached when necessary for legitimate professional need

Question 14

What is important to remember about gender differences in communication?

A) Men are more collaborative communicators
B) It rarely impacts nursing care
C) It affects the quality of organization communication
D) Women are more competitive communicators

Question 15

What location of the SBAR charting tool states the patient's problem?

A) Situation
B) Background
C) Assessment
D) Recommendation

Question 16

What is the traditional form of communication in organizations that helps to coordinate activities in various levels of the hierarchy?

A) Upward
B) Downward
C) Horizontal
D) Diagonal

Question 17

What portion of GRRRR (greeting, respectful listening, review, recommend or request more information, and reward) is being used when the speaker summarizes the information conveyed to make sure the message was understood correctly?

A) Greeting
B) Respectful listening
C) Review
D) Recommend or request more information

Question 18

What communication mode is considered most reliable in conveying the emotional component of the message?

A) Written
B) Verbal
C) Nonverbal
D) Telephone

Question 19

What is the most significant barrier to effective interpersonal communication?

A) Incongruence between verbal and nonverbal messages
B) Incongruence between telephone and written messages
C) Incongruence between verbal and written messages
D) Incongruence between telephone and nonverbal messages

Question 20

Which method best provides a structured orderly approach to communicating accurate, relevant information, in emergent patient situations as well as routine handoffs?

A) GRRRR listening model
B) SBAR tool
C) Hospital information system
D) Wireless, local area networking

Question 21

How can the Internet be best used as a means of improving one's personal nursing practice?

A) Accessing the latest research and best practice information
B) Communicating with other health-care team members
C) Minimizing the need for paper documentation
D) Securing patient information for confidentially

Question 22

Which behavior by a team member is demonstrated through cynicism and a nonchalance attitude about the group's work?

A) Blocker
B) Playboy
C) Dominator
D) Recognition seeker

Question 23

Which nursing action demonstrates compliance with the American Nurses Association (ANA) principles for social networking by nurses?

A) Strictly avoiding the use of social networking in a professional setting
B) Participating in the development of institutional policies governing online conduct
C) Ignoring any information that appears to have the potential to harm a patient's welfare
D) Realizing that social networking is not related to a nurse's professional boundaries

Question 24

Which vocal delivery suggests that a person is asking a question rather than making a statement?

A) Loudness
B) Slurred words
C) Tentativeness
D) Rapid delivery

Question 25

A nurse sits at the foot of a patient's bed during an admission interview. This positioning supports the proxemics concept of which psychological comfort zone?

A) Intimate relationships
B) Personal interactions
C) Social exchange
D) Public distance