Question 1

After vying for a nurse management position, nurse "A" is chosen over nurse "B." When nurse manager "A" calls for staff meetings, nurse "B" is chronically late or absent. Nurse "B" is exhibiting which type of behavior?

Accepted Answer

This response is passive-aggressive.The colleague is expressing anger indirectly by being late or absent from the meetings.

Question 2

One nurse confronts another and says, "You are always so talkative in the meetings. I don't know why you can't stay quiet sometimes." Which reply by the other nurse reflects the technique of "clouding/fogging?"

Accepted Answer

This response reflects the use of clouding/fogging.When clouding/fogging is used it concurs with the critic's argument without becoming defensive and without agreeing to change.

Question 3

During a psychoeducational group on assertiveness training a client asks, "Why do we need to learn about this stuff?" Which is the most appropriate nursing reply?

Accepted Answer

This response accurately defines assertiveness as the ability to stand up for oneself while respecting the rights of others, which is the main focus of assertiveness training. Option A is incorrect as it implies coercion, while options C and D are partly correct but do not fully capture the essence of being assertive.

Question 4

A client on an inpatient unit is angry with a peer. During lunch, when the peer is not looking, the client spits into his soup. How would the nurse document this interaction?

Accepted Answer

The client's behavior can be considered as passive-aggressive because they are not directly confronting the peer and expressing their anger, but instead resorting to a covert action that is meant to harm them.

Question 5

A nurse has identified the following nursing diagnosis: "ineffective communication R/T lack of assertiveness skills AEB inability to state needs." Which statement encourages the client to acknowledge the priority of this problem?

Accepted Answer

This statement directly asks the client to evaluate and acknowledge the importance of assertiveness in their life, which is a step towards recognizing the priority of addressing the identified problem of ineffective communication related to lack of assertiveness skills.

Question 6

Two clients get into a heated argument regarding TV program selections. The nurse turns off the TV and asks the clients to go to their rooms to cool off, after which they will discuss and attempt to resolve the problem. The nurse's action is an example of which assertive technique?

Accepted Answer

The nurse's action of turning off the TV and asking the clients to go to their rooms to cool off is an example of defusing, which involves taking a break from a situation to allow emotions to calm down before attempting to resolve the issue.

Question 7

During an assertiveness training group, a client admits to aggressive behaviors. The client asks for suggestions for how to become more assertive and less aggressive. Which is the most appropriate nursing reply?

Accepted Answer

It is important for the nurse to provide the client with specific techniques to improve assertiveness and decrease aggressive behavior. Choice A provides general relaxation techniques that may help the client manage stress but may not be directly related to assertiveness. Choice B is incorrect as there is evidence-based research on various methods to address aggressive behavior. Choice C is also incorrect as medication is not typically the first line of intervention for addressing aggressive or assertiveness difficulties. Therefore, the most appropriate reply is D, which provides several effective techniques to promote assertive behavior and decrease aggression.

Question 8

A nursing supervisor is scheduling holiday hours. When the supervisor tells the staff nurse that she needs to work Christmas day, the staff nurse calmly repeats, "I worked last Christmas and will not work this Christmas." This is an example of which assertive behavior technique?

Accepted Answer

The staff nurse is using the "broken record" technique by calmly and repeatedly stating her position without getting sidetracked or emotional.

Question 9

A client continually waits more than an hour before being seen at the mental health clinic. The client approaches the nurse and states, "When I have to wait for more than an hour to be seen, I feel like my time is not important." The nurse recognizes this as what type of behavior?

Accepted Answer

The client is expressing their needs and feelings in a direct, respectful, and clear manner, which is characteristic of assertive behavior. They are not attacking or blaming the nurse, nor are they avoiding the issue altogether. Passive behavior would involve the client staying quiet and not expressing their feelings, while passive-aggressive behavior would involve the client indirectly expressing their frustration, such as being sarcastic or making snide comments. Aggressive behavior would involve the client attacking or blaming the nurse for the wait time.

Question 10

A teenager gets a "C" in algebra. The mother angrily states, "All you ever do is listen to music and text your friends." The teenager replies, "What is it that you're really upset about mom?" Which response pattern is the teenager expressing?

Accepted Answer

The teenager is shifting from the content of the mother's angry statement (the "C" grade in algebra) to the process or underlying emotions behind the statement (the mother's true source of anger). This is an example of shifting from content to process communication.

Question 11

An emergency department nurse, who has worked 10 straight days, is pulled to the psychiatric unit. Which represents a passive-aggressive statement by the emergency department nurse?

Accepted Answer

The passive-aggressive statement is when the nurse agrees to do the work but purposely leaves work undone as a way to express their frustration with the situation.

Question 12

Which best describes a nurse's use of assertive behavior?

Accepted Answer

Assertive behavior involves being open and direct in communication, standing up for oneself, and expressing one's needs and feelings while also considering the needs and feelings of others. Option D best exemplifies this behavior as the nurse is being open and direct with the nurse manager about completing assignments. Options A, B, and C all involve behaviors that are not assertive in nature.

Question 13

The dean of nursing criticizes a faculty member about views on academic freedom. The faculty member states, "Are you upset because I believe in academic freedom or because you don't?" The faculty member is using which technique to promote assertive behavior?

Accepted Answer

This response reflects the use of inquiring assertively.Inquiring assertively is an attempt to seek additional information about critical statements.

Question 14

An aggressive nurse manager tells a staff nurse she has no business rallying staff to change the schedule. What would be an example of a technique that the staff nurse could use to stand up for her basic human rights?

Accepted Answer

Choice D directly addresses the staff nurse's right to express her opinion and advocate for change. It does not attack the manager, but instead asserts the nurse's own autonomy and rights. Choices A and B are confrontational and accusatory in tone, which could escalate the conflict. Choice C assumes a motive and may also escalate the conflict by implying the manager's negative emotions.

Question 15

During an assertiveness training group, a nurse suggests using "I statements." The group questions the usefulness of this communication technique. Which explanation by the nurse is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

"When 'I statements' are used, opinions are communicated without blaming others."

Question 16

While trying to control aggressive behavior, a client asks an assertiveness training nurse to give an example of an "I statement." Which is an example of this assertive communication technique?

Accepted Answer

"I statements" focus on the speaker's feelings and experiences rather than blaming or criticizing the other person. Option C expresses the speaker's feelings directly and clearly.

Question 17

Two clients are roommates on an inpatient psychiatric unit. At breakfast, client "A," who had been missing her gold locket, notices client "B" wearing it. Which should a nurse recognize as a nonassertive or passive behavioral response from client "A"?

Accepted Answer

By ignoring the situation,client "A" avoids conflict,denies her feelings,and does not assertively resolve the problem.This is an example of nonassertive behavior.

Question 18

Which is the most appropriate nursing reply when a client asks what is the goal and benefit of assertive skills training?

Accepted Answer

The best choice is D because assertive skills training aims to improve communication skills, which are essential in building and maintaining positive interpersonal relationships. It is also useful in expressing oneself effectively without violating the rights of others. Option A is incorrect because although assertive skills training can help clients deal with the aggression of others, it is not the primary goal. Option B is also incorrect because assertive skills training is not necessarily focused on correcting faulty behavior. Option C is also incorrect because although assertive skills training can help clients identify and clarify misperceptions, this is not its primary goal.

Question 19

An instructor is teaching about assertive rights. Which student statement indicates a need for further instruction?

Accepted Answer

The right to always put oneself first is not an assertive right. Assertive rights are about respecting oneself while also respecting others. This statement implies disregarding others and their needs, which is not a healthy or effective way of asserting oneself.

Question 20

A nurse should assign which nursing diagnosis to a client needing assistance with assertiveness?

Accepted Answer

Defensive coping is a nursing diagnosis appropriate for a client needing assistance with assertiveness. This diagnosis refers to the client's use of defense mechanisms to cope with stressful situations, such as avoiding confrontation or deflecting criticism. By addressing defensive coping, the nurse can assist the client in developing more effective assertiveness skills.

Quiz 15: Assertiveness Training