Deck 2: Communication and Collaboration

Question 1

The nurse is interviewing a patient about his health history.Which statement by the nurse is most likely to result in effective patient communication?

A) "I'm not sure why you're here. Can you explain it to me?"
B) "Tell me about things and people that are important to you."
C) "Tell me more about your pain. Where does it start?"
D) "If you think it's important, I'll try to notify the provider."

Answer 1

"Tell me more about your pain. Where does it start?"

Question 2

The patient tells the nurse,"I want to die." Which is the best response by the nurse to facilitate therapeutic communication?

A) "Now why would you say a thing like that?"
B) "Tell me more about how you're feeling."
C) "We need to tell the provider how you feel."
D) "You have too much to live for to say that."

Answer 2

"Tell me more about how you're feeling."

Question 3

A female patient sobs uncontrollably when talking about the recent death of a pet.Which response should the nurse implement to best provide for her immediate needs?

A) Sit with the patient quietly and allow her to cry.
B) Provide tissues and promise to come back later.
C) Ask why the patient is upset over the pet's death.
D) Encourage her to describe the day she got her pet.

Answer 3

Sit with the patient quietly and allow her to cry.

Question 4

The nurse is teaching the patient about weight management,and the patient wants to know how the nurse manages to stay "so thin." Which response should the nurse use to maintain therapeutic communication?

A) State that nurses cannot discuss personal information with patients.
B) Describe a daily routine of walking the family dog to the local park.
C) Recognize the question and redirect the discussion to weight management.
D) Explain that the patient needs a background in health care to use the nurse's plan.

Question 5

The nursing staff is using the SBAR communication technique during patient hand-off communication.The circumstances leading up to the current status would be explained by the nurses during which step of the technique?

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

Question 6

The patient shouts at the nurse,"No one answered my call bell all night!" Which response should the nurse use with this patient to restore therapeutic communication?

A) "Shouting is going to disturb other patients."
B) "I see how that would make you very angry."
C) "Are you sure the nurses were avoiding you?"
D) "The unit has many very sick patients right now."

Question 7

The nurse is preparing to begin the patient hand-off procedure for five patients.Who should the nurse include in this process?

A) Only the licensed nurses
B) The unit health care personnel
C) The entire interdisciplinary team
D) The nurses and healthcare provider

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a patient who refuses to participate in physical therapy (PT)and states,"I really don't like to exercise." Which response by the nurse is most likely to help engage the patient in PT?

A) "It makes the pain worse, doesn't it?"
B) "What don't you like about exercise?"
C) "You really should do these exercises."
D) "Do you like to do any other activities?"

Question 9

The patient tells the nurse,"I must be very sick because so many tests are being performed." Which statement does the nurse use to reflect the patient's message?

A) "I sense that you are very worried."
B) "You mention this so frequently."
C) "We should talk about this more."
D) "You think you must be very sick."

Question 10

You are working with a patient who is cognitively impaired and you need to provide some information to them.Which should the nurse implement in response to the patient's condition?

A) Present the interview in written form.
B) Repeat the information.
C) Have another person finish the interview.
D) Focus on the patient's physical complaints.

Question 11

A patient's mother died several days ago.The patient begins to cry and states,"The pain of her death is impossible to bear." Which statement by the nurse is the most effective response?

A) "I was depressed last year when my mother died, too."
B) "I know things seem bleak, but you are doing so well."
C) "I can see this is a very difficult time for you right now."
D) "Should I cancel your appointment with the cardiologist?"

Question 12

The nurse is explaining a procedure to a 3-year-old female patient.Which strategy should the nurse use for patient teaching?

A) Ask the patient to draw her feelings.
B) Show needles, syringes, and bandages.
C) Tell the patient about postoperative pain.
D) Use dolls and stories to explain surgery.

Question 13

After a male patient receives a diagnosis of a fatal disease,he expresses sadness and states that he does not know what to do next.Which is the most effective response by the nurse to facilitate communication?

A) Ask the patient what he finds comforting in his life.
B) Reassure the patient that his family will take care of him.
C) Refer the patient to a church for spiritual counseling.
D) Tell the patient that hospice care is available immediately.

Question 14

The nurse brings the patient's medications into the room,and the patient shouts,"You don't care if I take these,so get out of my room!" Which response by the nurse is most likely to diminish the patient's anger?

A) "Who misinformed you about my feelings?"
B) "You seem very angry about the medications."
C) "We know each other; why are you saying this?"
D) "I cannot leave until you take these medications."

Question 15

The nurse is assessing a patient for pain.Which question is best for the nurse to ask when determining aggravating factors for a patient's pain?

A) How long has the patient had pain?
B) What increases the intensity of the pain?
C) Where is the pain located specifically?
D) What is the pain level on a scale of 0 to 10?

Question 16

The nurse interviews a female patient during admission.Which observation by the nurse identifies congruency in the patient's communication?

A) Asserts she is eager to answer questions while reading a magazine
B) States that she wants information while frequently changing the subject
C) Asks the nurse to explain a surgical procedure while listening intently
D) Explains that she is relaxed while continuously shifting in her chair

Question 17

The nurse is caring for a patient who states,"I don't feel well today." Which is the best follow-up action to the patient's statement for the nurse to implement?

A) Ask the patient to continue to describe the feeling.
B) Measure the blood pressure and temperature.
C) State that the patient's diagnostic testing had normal results.
D) Compare recent laboratory results with the prior results.

Question 18

A male patient who says that his parents died of heart disease early in life is waiting for diagnostic testing results.He is biting his nails and pacing around the room.Which statement should the nurse use to clarify patient information?

A) "I can see that you are anxious about dying."
B) "Tell me more about your family's history."
C) "Do you have your parents' medical records?"
D) "I'm not sure that I understand what you mean."

Question 19

A male patient with a history of violence directed toward others becomes very excited and agitated during the nurse's interview.Which intervention should the nurse implement to foster therapeutic communication?

A) Call the security staff for assistance.
B) Ask the patient if he will use self-control.
C) Lean forward and touch the patient's arm.
D) Assume an open, nonthreatening posture.

Question 20

The nurse admits a patient who is complaining of severe abdominal pain and vomiting who is nonverbal.What can the nurse do to communicate effectively with the patient?

A) Use a communication aid
B) Wait for family to arrive
C) Call interpreter services
D) Treat the pain

Question 21

MATCHING
When interviewing a patient, it is important to determine additional information about each symptom the patient reports. Match the dimension of the symptom with the corresponding question to ask.

3. "When does it change?"

A)Location
B)Quality
C)Severity
D)Timing
E)Setting
F)Aggravating or alleviating factors

Question 22

The following statement best describes which phase of the nurse-patient relationship: "Mr.James,we have reviewed the changes in your diet and insulin dosage to help you improve your HgA1c levels.I would like to see you back in 4 weeks."

A) Orientation phase
B) Termination phase
C) Interim phase
D) Working phase

Question 23

The nurse is working toward discharging a patient.Which of following demonstrates patient engagement during the discharge process?

A) Teaching the patient how to use his equipment
B) Having the patient establish daily goals
C) Reviewing the discharge instructions with the patient
D) Including the family in the discharge planning

Question 24

MATCHING
When interviewing a patient, it is important to determine additional information about each symptom the patient reports. Match the dimension of the symptom with the corresponding question to ask.

6. "How often does it happen?"

A)Location
B)Quality
C)Severity
D)Timing
E)Setting
F)Aggravating or alleviating factors

Question 25

The female patient scheduled for an invasive procedure the next day complains of headache and nausea and knocks over a glass of water.Which intervention(s)should the nurse implement for therapeutic communication? (Select all that apply.)

A) Explain the procedure briefly.
B) Teach with the patient's partner present.
C) Give the patient written information.
D) Tell the patient that she seems overwhelmed.
E) Ask if this is her first hospitalization.
F) State that the procedure can be cancelled.

Question 26

The nursing staff is working with a postoperative patient from another culture who does not understand or speak the English language well.Which approach by the nurse would be best?

A) Act out what the patient needs to do.
B) Obtain a medical interpreter.
C) Assess how much the patient is able to communicate in his native language.
D) Talk slowly when instructions are given.

Question 27

MATCHING
When interviewing a patient, it is important to determine additional information about each symptom the patient reports. Match the dimension of the symptom with the corresponding question to ask.

2. "Does it occur in a particular place or under certain circumstances?"

A)Location
B)Quality
C)Severity
D)Timing
E)Setting
F)Aggravating or alleviating factors

Question 28

Which of the following pieces of information should be included in a hand-off to ensure patient safety? (Select all that apply.)

A) Code status
B) Recent changes in patient condition
C) Age
D) Family visitation
E) Use of oxygen

Question 29

During a home care visit,the patient experiences an angry outburst and hits the nurse on the thigh and yells at her.The patient continues to be threatening.What are the appropriate initial actions by the nurse? (Select all that apply.)

A) Call for a family member who lives down the street.
B) Call law enforcement to take the patient to the hospital.
C) Tie the patient to the bed.
D) Yell at the patient to stop being threatening.
E) Call the nursing agency.
F) Use a calm, quiet voice when talking with the patient.

Question 30

MATCHING
When interviewing a patient, it is important to determine additional information about each symptom the patient reports. Match the dimension of the symptom with the corresponding question to ask.

1. "What is the worst it has been?"

A)Location
B)Quality
C)Severity
D)Timing
E)Setting
F)Aggravating or alleviating factors

Question 31

MATCHING
When interviewing a patient, it is important to determine additional information about each symptom the patient reports. Match the dimension of the symptom with the corresponding question to ask.

5. "What is it like? Sharp,dull,stabbing,aching?"

A)Location
B)Quality
C)Severity
D)Timing
E)Setting
F)Aggravating or alleviating factors

Question 32

MATCHING
When interviewing a patient, it is important to determine additional information about each symptom the patient reports. Match the dimension of the symptom with the corresponding question to ask.

4. "Does it move around?"

A)Location
B)Quality
C)Severity
D)Timing
E)Setting
F)Aggravating or alleviating factors