Question 1

A 75-year-old woman is at the clinic for a preoperative interview.The nurse is aware that the interview with her may take longer than interviews with younger persons.What is the reason for this?

Accepted Answer

The interview usually takes longer with older adults because they have longer stories to tell.

Question 2

Which of the following statements describe open-ended questions? (Select all that apply. )

Accepted Answer

The correct answers describe the features of open-ended questions,which enhance communication during an interview.

Question 3

During an interview with a patient,at which distance would the nurse expect that most of the interview will take place?

Accepted Answer

Make the distance between you and the patient about 1.5 m (twice arm's length).If you place the patient any closer,you may invade his or her private space,which may create anxiety.If you place the patient farther away,you seem distant and aloof.

Question 4

A female nurse is interviewing a male patient who is close in age to the nurse.During the interview,the patient makes an overtly sexual comment.The nurse's best response would be:

Accepted Answer

The nurse's response must make it clear that she is a health care provider who can best care for the person by maintaining a professional relationship.The nurse should communicate that while she accepts the person and understands the person's need to be self-assertive,she will not tolerate sexual advances.

Question 5

The nurse is interviewing a patient who has a hearing impairment.What technique would be most beneficial in communicating with this patient?

Accepted Answer

Ask the person with hearing impairment his or her preferred way to communicate-signing,lip reading,or writing.If the person prefers lip reading,be sure to face him or her squarely and ensure good lighting on your face.Do not make exaggerated lip movements because this will distort your words.Shouting will distort reception by hearing aids the person may be wearing.Speak slowly,and supplement verbal expressions with appropriate hand gestures or miming.

Question 6

During a follow-up visit,the nurse discovers that the patient has not been taking his insulin regularly.The nurse asks,"Why haven't you taken your insulin?" Which of the following is an appropriate evaluation of this question?

Accepted Answer

The interviewer's use of "why" questions usually implies blame and condemnation,and puts the person on the defensive.

Question 7

A First Nations woman has come to the clinic for diabetes follow-up teaching.During the interview,the nurse notices that the patient never makes eye contact and speaks mostly looking down at the floor.Which of the following statements about this situation is true?

Accepted Answer

Eye contact is perhaps among the most culturally variable nonverbal behaviours.Some First Nations people may look downward during conversations,to indicate that the listener is paying close attention to the speaker.In some Inuit communities,people raise their eyebrows as a way to signal an affirmative response to a question,or to signal agreement,rather than nodding.

Question 8

The nurse is interviewing a recent immigrant from Mexico.During the course of the interview,the man leans forward and then finally moves his chair close enough that his knees are nearly touching the nurse's.The nurse begins to feel uncomfortable with his proximity.Which of the following statements describes the most appropriate response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Both the patient's and the nurse's own sense of spatial distance are of significance throughout the interview and physical examination.Culturally appropriate interpersonal distances vary widely.For example,as a Western person,you may find yourself backing away from people of Mexican,Indian,or Middle Eastern descent who,in their attempt to bring you closer into the space that is comfortable to them,may unwittingly invade your personal space.

Question 9

Critique the following statement made by the nurse: "I know it may be hard,but you should do what the doctor ordered because he/she is the expert in this field."

Accepted Answer

Authority responses create dependency and inferiority,and therefore are best avoided.Although the health care provider and patient do not have equal professional knowledge,both have equally valuable roles in the health care process.

Question 10

During her prenatal checkup,a patient begins to cry as the nurse asks her about previous pregnancies.The patient says that she is remembering her last pregnancy,which ended in miscarriage.The nurse's best response to her crying would be:

Accepted Answer

As a novice examiner,you may feel horrified when the patient starts to cry during the questioning.When you say something that "makes the person cry," do not think you have hurt the person.You have just touched a topic that is important to the patient.Do not go on to a new topic.Just let the person cry and give vent to his or her feelings fully.You can offer a tissue,wait until the crying subsides,and then talk.

Question 11

A mother brings her 28-month-old daughter into the clinic for a well-child visit.At the beginning of the visit,the nurse focuses attention away from the toddler,but as the interview progresses,the toddler begins to "warm up" and is smiling shyly at the nurse.Which of the following should the nurse do next to be most successful in interacting with the toddler?

Accepted Answer

Although most of the communication is with the parent,do not ignore the child completely.Making contact with the child will help ease into the physical examination later.Begin by asking about the toys the child is playing with or about a special doll or teddy bear brought from home: "Does your doll have a name?" or "What can your truck do?" Bend down to meet the child at his or her eye level.

Question 12

During an interview,a parent of a hospitalized child is sitting with an "open" posture.As the interviewer begins to discuss his son's treatment,however,the father suddenly crosses his arms against his chest and crosses his legs.This would suggest that he is:

Accepted Answer

Note the parent's posture.An "open" posture with the extension of large muscle groups shows relaxation,physical comfort,and a willingness to share information.A "closed" posture with the arms and legs crossed tends to make the person look defensive and anxious.Note any change in posture.If a person in a relaxed posture suddenly tenses,it suggests possible discomfort with the new topic.

Question 13

A 16-year-old boy has just been admitted for overnight observation after being in an automobile accident.What is the nurse's best approach to communicating with him?

Accepted Answer

Successful communication (with adolescents)is possible and rewarding.The guidelines are simple.The first consideration is an attitude of respect.Second,communication must be totally honest.Adolescents' intuition is highly tuned and can detect phoniness or withholding of information.Always give them the truth.

Question 14

During an examination of a 3-year-old child,the nurse needs to take her blood pressure.What could the nurse do to gain the child's full cooperation?

Accepted Answer

Take time to give a short and simple,but concrete,explanation for any unfamiliar equipment that is going to be used on the child.Preschoolers are animistic;they imagine inanimate objects can come alive and take on human characteristics.Options A,B,and C can imply that a blood pressure cuff can wake up and bite or pinch.

Question 15

Which of the following is appropriate for the nurse to say near the end of the interview?

Accepted Answer

This question gives the person the final opportunity for self-expression.No new topic should be introduced.

Question 16

A man arrives at the clinic for an annual wellness physical examination.He is not experiencing any acute health problems.Which of the following statements by the nurse is most appropriate when beginning the interview?

Accepted Answer

Open-ended questions are used for narrative information.Use this type of questioning to begin the interview,to introduce a new section of questions,and whenever the person introduces a new topic.

Question 17

The nurse has just started an assessment of the newborn child of a woman of Vietnamese origin.Considering the mother's cultural background,which of the following statements about this examination is true? The mother:

Accepted Answer

Touching children may have different associated meanings across cultures.Some people of Asian origin believe that a person's strength resides in the head,and touching the head is considered disrespectful.Thus,palpating the fontanelle of an infant from an Asian background should be approached with sensitivity.

Question 18

The interview portion of data collection obtains:

Accepted Answer

The interview is the first and really the most important part of data collection that obtains subjective data-what the person says about himself or herself.

Question 19

A female patient does not speak English well,and the nurse needs to choose an interpreter.Which of the following would be the most appropriate choice?

Accepted Answer

Whenever possible,use a trained interpreter,preferably one who knows medical terminology.In general,an older,more mature interpreter is preferable to a younger,less experienced one,and an interpreter of the same gender is preferable,when possible.

Question 20

The nurse is conducting a health interview with a patient named Salil.There is a language barrier,and no interpreter is available.Which of the following is the best example of an appropriate question for the nurse to ask in this situation?

Accepted Answer

In a situation where there is a language barrier and no interpreter available,use simple words,and avoid medical jargon.Avoid using contractions and pronouns.Use nouns repeatedly,and discuss one topic at a time.

Quiz 4: The Interview