Deck 3: Communication

Question 1

A grieving young widow cries out,"Why was my husband killed? Why wasn't it me?" The best response from the nurse would be:

A) stating "You need to be strong for your children."
B) silently placing her hand on the widow's arm.
C) asking if there is anyone the widow needs to have notified.
D) stating "You are feeling overwhelmed about your husband's death."

Answer 1

silently placing her hand on the widow's arm.

Question 2

A therapeutic communication technique that requires a great deal of skill and is not used as frequently as other communication techniques is:

A) touch.
B) silence.
C) listening.
D) summarizing.

Answer 2

silence.

Question 3

A patient does not speak English; therefore,the nurse cannot use words to provide comfort during a painful procedure.Another intervention that may provide comfort is:

A) silence.
B) listening.
C) touch.
D) restating.

Answer 3

touch.

Question 4

One of the main characteristics of therapeutic communication is that it:

A) allows the patient a passive role.
B) uses only verbal communication.
C) involves the patient as a person.
D) is directive.

Question 5

When communicating with an unresponsive patient,the communication technique the nurse should use is to:

A) avoid speaking directly to the patient.
B) assume verbal stimuli are heard.
C) speak in a loud voice.
D) use simple words.

Question 6

If a nurse sits in a chair near the patient's bed,leans forward to hear what the patient is saying,and does not interrupt,the nurse is demonstrating:

A) support.
B) caring.
C) active listening.
D) interest.

Question 7

A nurse assessing a patient with a nursing diagnosis of impaired verbal communication is aware that the least number of defining characteristics for this diagnosis is:

A) one.
B) two.
C) three.
D) four.

Question 8

The nurse should avoid standing at the bedside with the patient lying in bed because the nurse may be construed as demonstrating:

A) interest.
B) power.
C) caring.
D) support.

Question 9

The best method for a literate,English-speaking patient on a ventilator to communicate his or her needs would be:

A) eye blinking for "yes" and "no."
B) magic slate or paper and pencil.
C) computer.
D) message board or cards.

Question 10

A nurse actively avoids the use of one-way communication because the major problem is that:

A) the receiver is in control.
B) feedback is provided to the sender.
C) participation is not equal.
D) the communication is unstructured.

Question 11

The nurse considers the feelings and needs of a patient by stating,"I know you are concerned about your surgery tomorrow.How can I help you?" This type of communication is:

A) intrusive.
B) aggressive.
C) closed.
D) assertive.

Question 12

Therapeutic communication:

A) facilitates the formation of a positive nurse-patient relationship.
B) manipulates the patient.
C) assigns the patient a passive role.
D) requires the patient to accept what the nurse says.

Question 13

A patient roughly asks the nurse to bring him some ice cream.An assertive response by the nurse is:

A) "You are hungry and want a snack."
B) "I can do that in 10 minutes when I finish my rounds."
C) "Maybe I can get one of the aides to bring you something in a while."
D) "Call the nursing station and ask them to have the kitchen bring whatever you want."

Question 14

If the nurse aggressively says to a patient,"Why couldn't you have asked me to give you your pain medication when I was in here earlier?" the patient is most likely to feel:

A) angry.
B) that his needs are met.
C) humiliated and unworthy.
D) that his request will be granted.

Question 15

A patient states,"I'm really strung out about this pregnancy." The nurse who responds by asking,"What about this pregnancy worries you?" is using the technique of:

A) closed inquiry.
B) restating.
C) open-ended question.
D) minimal encouraging.

Question 16

When nursing actions cause the nurse to violate the personal space of the patient,the nurse can reduce the discomfort of the patient by:

A) approaching the interaction in a professional manner.
B) distracting the patient with jokes and humor.
C) asking another nurse to be present at the bedside.
D) assuring the patient that all people dislike invasion of personal space.

Question 17

A nurse tells a patient,"This PM you are going for an abdominal A&P,an H&H,as well as an IV pyelogram.Please sign these consent forms." The use of medical jargon can cause:

A) understanding.
B) speed in communication.
C) misinterpretation.
D) clarity in the message.

Question 18

If in response to the patient statement,"I am upset about all this lab work" the nurse responds,"You're upset?" this is an example of:

A) an open-ended question.
B) reflecting.
C) restating.
D) paraphrasing.

Question 19

Although the patient denies pain,the nurse observes the patient breathing rapidly with clenched fists and facial grimacing.The nurse's best response to these observations is:

A) "I am glad you are feeling better and have no discomfort."
B) "Where do you hurt?"
C) "What you are saying and what I am observing don't seem to match."
D) "It makes me uncomfortable when you are not honest with me."

Question 20

A patient states,"I do cocaine when I feel things are out of my control." The nurse who responds by asking,"What else does cocaine do for you?" is using the communication skill of:

A) summarization.
B) restating.
C) showing acceptance.
D) stating observations.

Question 21

During a complete assessment,which type of questioning is not usually conducive to fostering communication?

A) Open-ended
B) Focused
C) Closed
D) Clarifying

Question 22

A nurse caring for a pediatric patient is most likely to be perceived as nonthreatening by:

A) tightly crossing her arms.
B) maintaining an open posture.
C) maintaining a tense posture.
D) standing at the bedside.

Question 23

A patient with aphasia who cannot understand a spoken or written message is said to have ___________ aphasia.

Question 24

A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing respiratory distress.The physician places an endotracheal tube.The most appropriate nursing diagnosis for this patient is:

A) ineffective coping.
B) risk for infection.
C) altered nutrition: less than body requirements.
D) impaired verbal communication.

Question 25

A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing excruciating pain and requires frequent administration of analgesics.The nurse demonstrates aggressive communication when stating:

A) "Please let me know when you start to have pain."
B) "Let's practice some guided imagery."
C) "Let's try repositioning you."
D) "I will only medicate you every 4 hours."

Question 26

Which are true regarding communicating while using eye contact? (Select all that apply.)

A) Eye contact is responsible for much communication.
B) Eye contact is responsible for much miscommunication.
C) Making eye contact generally indicates an intention to interact.
D) Eye contact always results in a positive outcome.
E)Extended eye contact can imply aggression.
F)Extended eye contact can lead to heightened anxiety.

Question 27

When listening to a patient,the nurse demonstrates disinterest and coldness by:

A) tightly crossing her arms.
B) uncrossing her arms.
C) uncrossing her legs.
D) facing the patient.

Question 28

Recognizing that a patient experiencing stress most likely feels vulnerable,the nurse intervenes by:

A) using technical language.
B) directing the conversation.
C) modifying communication methods.
D) offering all the information.

Question 29

The nurse explains to a patient that based on the description of "personal space," the area within 18 inches of the patient,is designated as the ____________ zone.

Question 30

A nurse communicates with a patient by maintaining eye contact and through the use of touch.The nurse is demonstrating the use of what type of communication?

A) Verbal
B) Persuasive
C) Directive
D) Nonverbal

Question 31

A nurse frequently looks at her watch when giving a patient a bed bath.The message that is most likely conveyed to the patient is that the nurse:

A) desires to spend more time with the patient.
B) is anxious to listen to the patient's concerns.
C) is feeling hurried.
D) likes her watch.

Question 32

Which question below is open-ended?

A) "Are you going to Europe this fall?"
B) "Are you sailing to Europe?"
C) "What are you most looking forward to in Europe?"
D) "Have you been to Europe before?"
E) "Where in Europe are you going?"

Question 33

A patient states,"My husband has told me how he feels about my having a mastectomy." The nurse nods and says,"Go on." This is an example of:

A) clarifying.
B) restating.
C) focusing.
D) minimal encouraging.

Question 34

Maintaining eye contact for 2 to 6 seconds during communication:

A) keeps the nurse's attention on the conversation.
B) counteracts shyness in the patient.
C) indicates continuous focused attention.
D) assesses if the patient is involved in the conversation.

Question 35

A nurse is caring for a newly admitted diabetic patient.When performing the initial assessment,the nurse demonstrates use of a closed question when stating:

A) "What time do you take your insulin?"
B) "How do you feel about taking insulin?'
C) "Tell me about your support system."
D) "How do you feel about having diabetes?"

Question 36

When listening to a patient,the nurse demonstrates warmth and acceptance by:

A) tightly crossing her arms.
B) uncrossing her arms.
C) tightly crossing her legs.
D) facing away from the patient.

Question 37

A nurse examines whether patient interventions have been appropriate and expected outcomes have been met.The nurse is demonstrating which step of the nursing process?

A) Assessment
B) Planning
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation

Question 38

When communicating with an older adult,the nurse can enhance communication by speaking in a:

A) rapid manner to accommodate the patient's short attention span.
B) lower voice tone to accommodate hearing loss.
C) simple manner as if speaking to a child.
D) loud voice directly at ear level.

Question 39

What is true about the use of touch in therapeutic communication? (Select all that apply.)

A) Touch is a form of nonverbal communication.
B) Touch is a form of verbal communication.
C) Touch should be used with indiscretion.
D) Touch can convey warmth and caring.
E)Touch can convey support and understanding.
F)Touch should be used sincerely and genuinely.

Question 40

Which are examples of passive listening? (Select all that apply.)

A) The nurse nods frequently while the patient speaks.
B) The nurse maintains eye contact while listening to the patient.
C) The nurse occasionally interjects,"I see," when listening to the patient.
D) The nurse gives verbal feedback to the patient.
E) The nurse verbally interprets the meaning of what the patient has said.

Question 41

When a nurse lectures to a large group,the method of communication is usually in the form of ____________ communication

Question 42

As the nurse listens to a supervisor,the nurse has a smile on her face but has crossed her arms in front of her chest and has crossed her legs.This is an example of a __________ posture.

Question 43

The ___________ is the person conveying the message,whereas the ____________ is the individual or individuals to whom the message is conveyed.

Question 44

The term that describes an individual's perception or understanding of a particular word or phrase is _____________.

Question 45

What is true about the use of silence in therapeutic communication? (Select all that apply.)

A) Maintaining silence is an effective therapeutic communication technique.
B) Maintaining silence is generally underused in therapeutic communication.
C) The sender often becomes uncomfortable when utilizing silence.
D) The ability to use silence effectively requires skill and timing.
E)Prolonged periods of misunderstood silence can cause tension.
F)Purposeful use of silence often conveys respect and understanding.

Question 46

____________ is the reciprocal process in which messages are sent and received between people.

Question 47

When speaking to a person of a different culture,how should the nurse consider modifying his or her communication style? (Select all that apply.)

A) Method of greeting
B) Use of touch
C) Use of eye contact
D) reference of address
E) Meaning of gestures

Question 48

Which defining characteristics support the nursing diagnosis of impaired verbal communication? (Select all that apply.)

A) Aphasia
B) Spanish-speaking only
C) Profoundly deaf
D) Legally blind
E) Severe COPD