Question 1

The patient is sitting at the bedside.He has not been eating and is just staring out of the window.The nurse approaches the patient and asks,"What are you thinking about?" What type of communication technique is this?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a broad opening communication technique, which allows the patient to open up about their thoughts and feelings without leading them in a specific direction. It also shows the patient that the nurse is interested in what they have to say and is willing to listen.

Question 2

The nurse is assessing a patient who says that she is feeling fine.The patient,however,is wringing her hands and is teary eyed.The nurse should respond to the patient in which of the following ways?

Accepted Answer

The patient's nonverbal cues (wringing hands and teary eyes) indicate that she may not be telling the truth about feeling fine. The nurse should address these cues by acknowledging the patient's emotions and offering an open-ended question to encourage her to share what is bothering her. Choice B ignores the patient's nonverbal cues and does not provide any further assessment. Choice C acknowledges the patient's emotions, but does not actively encourage her to share what is bothering her. Choice D assumes the patient is in pain, despite no indication of physical discomfort.

Question 3

In caring for patients of different cultures,it is important for the nurse to:

Accepted Answer

When caring for patients of different cultures, it is important for the nurse to use appropriate linguistic services to ensure clear communication. Displaying empathy and respect can help build rapport with patients, which can improve their sense of trust and understanding. Using accurate health history-taking techniques can help the nurse obtain important information about the patient's health status and cultural background. Finally, using patient-centered communication can help the nurse tailor their care to the patient's individual needs and preferences. All of these strategies are important for providing culturally competent care.

Question 4

The patient is admitted to the emergency department for trauma received in a fist fight.He states that he could not control himself.He says that his wife left him for another man.He thinks it was because he was always too tired after working to do things.He says he has to work,and there is nothing he could do to change things.He says that he feels trapped in his job,but he knows nothing else.What was the altercation with the other man probably a manifestation of?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms of depression include apathy,sadness,sleep disturbances,hopelessness,helplessness,worthlessness,guilt,anger,fatigue,thoughts of death,decreased libido,ruminations of inadequacy,psychomotor agitation,verbal berating of self,spontaneous crying,dependency,and passiveness.Mild anxiety manifests as increased auditory and visual perception,increased awareness of relationships,increased alertness,and an increased ability to problem-solve.Moderate anxiety manifests as selective inattention,decreased perceptual field,focus only on relevant information,muscle tension,and diaphoresis.Severe anxiety manifests as a focus on fragmented details,headache,nausea,dizziness,an inability to see connections between details,and poor recall.

Question 5

The nurse is attempting to teach the patient and his family about his care after discharge.The patient and the family demonstrate signs of anxiety during the teaching session.The nurse should consider doing what?

Accepted Answer

Remember that patients and their family members who are under stress often require repeated explanations.Increasing gestures and pictures is additional stimulation that may increase anxiety.Physical complaints should be acknowledged,but dwelling on them can also increase the patient's anxiety.Involving another staff member would cause a break in the continuity of care.

Question 6

Which behavior should the nurse who is communicating with a potentially violent patient employ?

Accepted Answer

Using slow, deliberate gestures can help to avoid triggering agitation or panic in the patient. Sitting closer to the patient or blocking the door can be interpreted as confrontational and increase feelings of being trapped, potentially leading to violence. Speaking loudly and firmly can also provoke a volatile response. Therefore, using calm body language and a quiet tone of voice can help to de-escalate the situation.

Question 7

A patient tells the nurse,"I think that I must be really sick.All of these tests are being done." Which response by the nurse uses the specific communication technique of reflection?

Accepted Answer

Reflection involves restating in your own words what the patient has just said to show that you are listening and to clarify understanding. Option C restates the patient's statement as a reflection without adding any personal opinions or suggestions. Option A is close but includes the nurse's interpretation, which is not necessary for reflection. Option B offers a suggestion rather than reflecting. Option D is a generalization and does not reflect the patient's current concern.

Question 8

When comparing therapeutic communication versus social communication,the professional nurse realizes that therapeutic communication:

Accepted Answer

Therapeutic communication is focused on achieving specific goals related to the patient's health and well-being. It is characterized by being patient-centered, meaning it prioritizes the patient's needs and concerns over the nurse's. Social communication, on the other hand, is more casual and is usually aimed at fulfilling social or personal needs of both parties. Therefore, option C is the best choice.

Question 9

The patient is an elderly male who had hip surgery 3 days ago.He states that his hip hurts,but he does not like how the medicine makes him feel.He believes that he can tolerate the pain better than he can tolerate the medication.What would be the best response from the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should respect the patient's autonomy and preference for not taking the medication by explaining the importance of pain management in the context of post-operative recovery. However, the nurse should also offer the patient the option of having the medication changed or calling the doctor to address his concerns. This enables the patient to make an informed decision and feel more in control of his own care. Using a slower rate of speech or simpler vocabulary may come across as patronizing and ineffective, while explaining in a loud manner is inappropriate and disrespectful.

Question 10

The patient is an elderly man who was brought to the hospital from an assisted-living community with complaints of anorexia and general malaise.The nurse at the assisted-living community reported that the patient was very ritualistic in his behavior and fastidious in his dress and always took a shower in the evening before bed.The patient became very angry and upset when the patient care technician asked him to take his bath in the morning.What does this behavior tell the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The patient's ritualistic behavior and resistance to change suggest that he may have an anxiety disorder or some other condition that causes him to rely heavily on routines and rituals. His angry and upset reaction to a simple request also supports this possibility.

Question 11

The patient states,"I don't know what my family will think about this." The nurse wishes to use the communication technique of clarification.Which of the following statements would fit that need best?

Accepted Answer

The statement "I'm not sure that I understand what you mean" is an example of clarification because it prompts the patient to explain their statement further, allowing the nurse to better understand their concerns.

Question 12

The nurse is about to go over the patient's preoperative teaching per hospital protocol.She finds the patient sitting in bed wringing her hands,which are sweaty,and acting slightly agitated.The patient states,"I'm scared that something will go wrong tomorrow." How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

The best choice is to redirect the patient's focus to addressing her anxiety. It is important to address the patient's emotions and concerns before continuing with teaching. Simply telling the patient that everything will be all right may not be enough to address her anxiety. Delaying the teaching may cause unnecessary stress for the patient as well. Giving anti-anxiety medication should not be the first line of action and should be ordered by a healthcare provider if deemed appropriate.

Question 13

The nurse is explaining a procedure to a 2-year-old child.Which is the best approach to use?

Accepted Answer

Using dolls and stories to demonstrate what will be done can help the child understand the procedure in terms that they can understand and relate to. It can also help alleviate their fears and anxiety. Showing needles and bandages in advance or telling the child exactly what discomfort to expect may increase their anxiety and fear. Asking the child to draw pictures may not be effective in helping them understand the procedure.

Question 14

Nonverbal communication incorporates messages conveyed by:

Accepted Answer

Nonverbal communication describes all behaviors that convey messages without the use of words.This type of communication includes body movement,physical appearance,personal space,and touch.Cadence,tone quality,and the use of jargon are all part of verbal communication.

Question 15

The patient is a 54-year-old man who has made a living as a construction worker.He dropped out of high school at age 16 and has been a laborer ever since.He never saw any need for "book learning," and has lived his life "my way" since he was a teenager.He has smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 40 years and follows no special diet,eating a lot of "fast food" while on the job.He now is admitted to the coronary care unit for complaints of chest pain and is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization in the morning.Which of the following would be the best way for the nurse to explain why he needs the procedure?

Accepted Answer

To send an accurate message,the sender of verbal communication must be aware of different developmental perspectives as well as cultural differences between sender and receiver,such as the use of dialect or slang.

Question 16

The patient is admitted to the hospital with complaints of headache,nausea,and dizziness.She states that she has a final exam in the morning and needs to do well on it to pass the course,but she can't seem to get into it.She appears nervous and distracted,and is unable to recall details.She most likely is showing manifestations of _____ anxiety.

Accepted Answer

Severe anxiety manifests as a focus on fragmented details,as well as headache,nausea,dizziness,inability to see connections between details,and poor recall.Mild anxiety manifests as increased auditory and visual perception,increased awareness of relationships,and increased alertness and ability to problem-solve.Moderate anxiety manifests as selective inattention,decreased perceptual field,focus only on relevant information,muscle tension,and diaphoresis.Panic state of anxiety manifests as an inability to notice surroundings,feelings of terror,and inability to cope with any problem.

Question 17

A patient tells the nurse,"I want to die." Which response is the most appropriate for the nurse to make?

Accepted Answer

The most appropriate response in this situation is to encourage the patient to express their feelings and concerns. By asking the patient to tell you more about how they are feeling, you are showing that you care and are willing to listen. This can help the patient feel heard and understood, which can be therapeutic in itself. It also helps the nurse gather more information about the patient's mental state, which can be helpful in developing a care plan.

Question 18

The nurse is preparing to give an intramuscular injection to the patient in room 320.The patient care technician comes to the medication room and tells the nurse that the patient in room 316 is very angry with his roommate and is threatening to hit him.How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should prioritize the safety of all patients and staff involved. Moving the angry patient's roommate to another location would help prevent any potential physical harm to the roommate. The nurse should also assess the situation and intervene appropriately when she arrives in the room. Simply telling the patient to calm down may not de-escalate the situation and could make it worse. Option A may be appropriate if the technician is trained in de-escalation and can safely intervene, but it should not delay the nurse's response. Option D is not a therapeutic or professional response and may escalate the situation further.

Question 19

Verbal communication includes which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Verbal communication is the sharing of information through spoken words, making speech (A) an essential part of it. Writing (D) is also considered a form of verbal communication since it involves the use of words to convey a message, even if it's not spoken out loud. Personal space (B) and body movement (C) are aspects of nonverbal communication.

Question 20

In establishing the nurse-patient relationship,personal self-disclosure by the nurse is useful for which of the following goals?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In establishing the nurse-patient relationship,personal self-disclosure by...

Quiz 3: Communication and Collaboration