Deck 2: Basics of Communication

Question 1

A nurse is working with a patient and attempts to communicate effectively with the patient. Techniques the nurse can use to help communication include (select all that apply):
1)Clarifying terms.
2)Remaining silent.
3)Asking open-ended questions.
4)Offering false reassurance.
5)Discouraging the person from expressing feelings that are unacceptable.

Answer 1

1, 2, 3

Question 2

When appropriate, the nurse can use _____________________ as part of an interaction when there is no talking. This can communicate support.

Answer 2

silence

Question 3

Communication has three parts including the sender, the message, and the _____________.

Answer 3

receiver

Question 4

A theory of communication that emphasizes the three ways to communicate-hearing, seeing, and touching-is called ___________ ______________.

Question 5

Which question by the nurse would gain the most information from a patient experiencing a marital crisis?
1)"Do you hate your spouse?"
2)"Do you get along with your in-laws?"
3)"Do you talk out your problems with your spouse?"
4)"What is it like at home with your spouse?"

Question 6

Nurses understand that when caring for patients with mental illnesses, a nurse's communication is (select all that apply):
1)An active process that includes participating and listening and speaking.
2)A complex activity.
3)Exchanging information.
4)Verbal and nonverbal.
5)A one-way path from nurse to patient.

Question 7

The patient is concerned about his doctor and what the doctor has prescribed. The nurse making rounds notices the patient sitting on the side of the bed in deep thought. The nurse comes into the room and the patient begins to tell the nurse his concerns about a new order. The nurse advises the patient, "If I were you, I would find another doctor." How does this statement by the nurse block communication (select all that apply)?
1)It tells the patient that his concerns are not valid.
2)It gives the idea that the nurse's values are the correct ones.
3)It sounds judgmental.
4)It sets the stage for expectations that the patient may not be able to meet.
5)It discourages yes or no answers.

Question 8

Linda is pacing the floor and appears extremely anxious. The day-shift nurse approaches Linda in an attempt to lessen her anxiety. The most therapeutic statement by the nurse would be:
1)"How about watching a football game?"
2)"Tell me how you are feeling today."
3)"What do you have to be upset about now?"
4)Ignore the patient.

Question 9

A patient states, "I don't know what the pills are for or why I am taking them, so I don't want them." What therapeutic communication would best help this patient?
1)Ask for what you need
2)Silence
3)Using general leads
4)Giving information

Question 10

Expressive, receptive, and global are types of _______________.

Question 11

The mother of a young patient with schizophrenia seeks out the nurse and begins to cry. The mother expresses concern over her daughter's behavior. The nurse's best response to this woman is:
1)"What is it that concerns you the most?"
2)"Well, you know, that is part of the illness."
3)"Here is a book on schizophrenia. This will help you."
4)"Are you afraid your daughter will always be like this?"

Question 12

To practice effectively in mental health, the nurse should be able to:
1)Solve his or her own personal problems without assistance from others.
2)Comfortably point out patient shortcomings and provide advice about how to improve.
3)Bring patients and coworkers into compliance with societal rules and norms.
4)Demonstrate therapeutic communication.

Question 13

The three components of communication are (select all that apply):
1)Impairment.
2)Message.
3)Sender.
4)Receiver.
5)Therapeutic.

Question 14

The following types of patients require adaptive communication techniques (select all that apply):
1)A patient who is blind
2)A patient who has aphasia
3)A patient with schizophrenia
4)A patient who is elderly
5)A patient with dysphagia