Question 1

What is the ultimate goal of therapeutic communication?

Accepted Answer

A)  To convey pertinent information to the surgeon about the patient's condition.
B)  To provide reports between nursing shifts about the patient's activities.
C)  To help the tech plan what they are going to say to the patient.
D)  To develop a working partnership between the patient and the tech. D

Question 2

The tech is charting the patient's response to pain medication they administered one hour ago. Which of the following descriptions should the tech use?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Pain decreased from an '8' to a '3' on the pain scale, less grimacing and able to move in bed."
B)  "Patient states he is comfortable and denies nausea."
C)  "Patient tolerated medication well."
D)  "No evidence of pain." A

Question 3

Which of the following actions is most likely to communicate a clear and effective message from the tech to the patient?

Accepted Answer

A)  Using medical terminology around the patient to instill confidence in the tech's knowledge.
B)  Providing discharge instructions when a patient and their family are packed and waiting to go home.
C)  Educating the patient about a hysterectomy upon admission and while in the post-surgical unit.
D)  Teaching a patient about caring for their incision site when they are moved into the PACU. C

Question 4

Which of the following statements may provide the most clarity when teaching a patient about postoperative care?

Accepted Answer

A)  "You will need to stay in bed for the first day or so, then tomorrow, we will get you up to walk."
B)  "First, you will need to stay in bed until we finish vital signs and ensure you are stable. Once you appear to be clinically stable and you feel like you could get up, we will provide stand-by assistance and help you walk from your room to the water fountain and back."
C)  "We'll have you rest today, but tomorrow we'll help you out of bed."
D)  "You may want to stay in bed a lot, but getting up to walk is really important, you know?"

Question 5

Which of the following is an appropriate method of communication with a patient upon an initial meeting?

Accepted Answer

A)  Use the patient's last name or ask to call them by their first name.
B)  Ease the tension by sharing a joke.
C)  Tell the patient about a similar situation with another patient that had a positive outcome.
D)  Both A and B

Question 6

A patient is admitted for an ambulatory surgery procedure and says to the tech, "I don't need you to tell me anything. I already looked all of this up on the Internet yesterday." What is the tech's best response?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Are you sure you learned everything you need to know? You might not have been looking in the right places."
B)  "It's good that you are informed, but let's review these topics anyway."
C)  "I wouldn't trust all of the sites out there. You can find a lot of misinformation these days."
D)  "Since you have already looked everything up, please just sign here that your teaching is done."

Question 7

All of the following are components of the intraoperative patient care record EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  Patient skin condition before the procedure
B)  Sponge counts before and after surgery
C)  Patient teaching regarding incision care and ambulation
D)  Patient position on the operating room table

Question 8

A tech is caring for a patient who needs more pain medicine following a surgical procedure. When they call the physician, the doctor gives them an order over the phone to add another narcotic medication to that which is already scheduled. Which of the following should the tech do to maintain accuracy when taking a telephone order?

Accepted Answer

A)  Repeat the order back to the physician before hanging up.
B)  Ask the physician to state the order a second time to ensure accuracy.
C)  Document the order on a piece of paper so the physician can transcribe what they said when they come in.
D)  It is never appropriate to take telephone orders for medication changes.

Question 9

When the tech expresses their condolences to a family whose son died during a surgical procedure, the patient's father says, "You have no idea what we are going through! This is all this hospital's fault!" Which of the following is the most appropriate action of the tech?

Accepted Answer

A)  Leave the family to themselves to avoid disturbing them further.
B)  Notify the doctor that the family may possibly decide to pursue litigation.
C)  Recognize that the family is probably upset and is taking their feelings out on the tech.
D)  Reassure the family that the procedure did not go as planned, but things will eventually get better.

Question 10

During shift report on the post-surgical unit, the oncoming tech says critically, "You didn't get that patient up to walk today? What did you do all day?" Which of the following is the most assertive response from the tech giving report?

Accepted Answer

A)  "I'm sorry, you're right. He really should have gotten up today."
B)  "I don't like how you are talking to me. I work very hard all day, so do not treat me as if I have done nothing."
C)  "I realize you are probably irritated, but we get busy during the day, too."
D)  "You have no idea what I'm going through right now. Please stop being so mean to me."

Exam 2: Communication