Deck 7: Communication

Question 1

The study of space between people and its effects on interpersonal behavior is known as:

A)distance-interaction relation
B)logistics
C)proxemics
D)spatial theory

Answer 1

proxemics

Question 2

Which of these statements about the process of active listening is TRUE?

A)It is the behavior of listening and observing.
B)It is processing client statements and answering questions while providing daily nursing care.
C)It focuses on the client's nonverbal behavior.
D)It takes specialized preparation.

Answer 2

It is processing client statements and answering questions while providing daily nursing care.

Question 3

A client who is scheduled for surgery in an hour confides to the nurse feelings of being scared and unsure of how to cope following the procedure.During this exchange,the nurse places a hand on the client's hand and listens while maintaining eye contact.This situation illustrates which type of communication?

A)empathy
B)nonverbal
C)sympathetic
D)therapeutic

Answer 3

nonverbal

Question 4

The nurse relates some difficult information about health status to a client who is already upset.The nurse says,"I am so sorry you are having to hear this bad news so soon after losing your sister," and begins to cry along with the client.In this situation the nurse's verbal and nonverbal communications would be considered:

A)congruent
B)inappropriate
C)sympathetic
D)therapeutic

Question 5

When a client does not show up for a scheduled clinic appointment,which of these factors must the nurse consider as a potential reason?

A)communication misunderstanding
B)client indifference
C)client laziness
D)cultural differences in the meaning of time

Question 6

Psychosocial aspects of communication influencing the nurse-client relationship include such things as cultural values,gestures,and:

A)educational level
B)client needs
C)political correctness
D)client problems

Question 7

Communication between the nurse and client includes the aspects of:

A)processing and translating
B)message,method,and feedback
C)explaining and refining
D)selecting,understanding,and converting

Question 8

Which type of spatial distance is used for friends and coworkers and is effective for many nurses and clients involved in interviewing or gathering data?

A)intimate
B)personal
C)public
D)social

Question 9

A postoperative client tells the nurse he is not in excessive pain.The nurse observes that the client's labored respirations and increased perspiration when moving in the bed.The nurse may consider administration of a pain medication based on the client's:

A)feedback
B)kinesthetic communication
C)nonverbal communication
D)verbal communication

Question 10

To help clients feel more comfortable during care,it is essential that the nurse do which of the following?

A)Ask visitors and family members to leave the room before performing any procedures.
B)Avoid eye contact and touch the client only when absolutely necessary.
C)Perform personal care tasks quickly.
D)Provide competent and professional care.

Question 11

Which of these approaches is MOST important when a nurse is explaining a procedure to an elderly client?

A)addressing the client as "Mr. ," "Mrs. ," or "Miss," unless he or she asks to be called by another name
B)discussing the procedure using abstract concepts to show respect for the client's higher education
C)removing any personal articles and turning off the TV,as these may be distracting
D)sitting as close as possible,on the bed if necessary,to facilitate an intimate,caring relationship

Question 12

When the nurse and client are engaged in the process of exchanging information,this process is:

A)communication
B)hearing
C)listening
D)rapport

Question 13

Despite the fact that nurses usually do not know their clients prior to admission,when providing care they must rapidly progress from which client space to the next?

A)personal to intimate
B)public to intimate
C)public to personal
D)social to personal

Question 14

A client calls for pain medication for excruciating pain.When approaching the client's room with the medication,the nurse overhears the client laughing and talking on the phone.Upon entering the room,the nurse notes the client is sitting in the bedside chair in no apparent distress.In this situation the nurse would consider the client's verbal and nonverbal communications to be:

A)appropriate
B)confusing
C)incongruent
D)therapeutic

Question 15

The distance at which one person is comfortable interacting with another is influenced by age,cultural values,and:

A)location of interaction
B)time of day
C)topic of conversation
D)gender of those interacting

Question 16

A nurse hears a loud crash of breaking glass followed by "Oh dear!" from a client's room and enters the room to evaluate the client's safety.This incident BEST illustrates which of these processes?

A)speaking
B)hearing
C)listening
D)rapport

Question 17

When the nurse gets a response from the client verifying the message was received as sent,what is this process called?

A)congruent communication
B)empathy
C)feedback
D)recognition

Question 18

In addition to speaking,the nurse must be aware that verbal communication includes which method?

A)gestures and expressions
B)eye contact and touch
C)reading and writing
D)observing and perceiving

Question 19

Which of these statements about an individual's communication style is TRUE?

A)It is learned and can be changed.
B)It is primarily passive.
C)It is primarily aggressive.
D)It is primarily assertive.

Question 20

While assessing a client,the nurse notes that the client speaks softly when asked a question and rarely looks directly at the nurse.Which communication style is the client exhibiting?

A)aggressive
B)assertive
C)individual
D)passive

Question 21

The nurse is caring for a client who is alert and oriented but is hearing impaired.The nurse recognizes the BEST way for the client to communicate with caregivers may be to use:

A)an interpreter
B)sign language
C)speech reading
D)pen and paper

Question 22

Which statement about social communication between the nurse and client is TRUE?

A)It is very informal.
B)It is highly structured to provide information.
C)It is nonthreatening and puts the client at ease.
D)It is a way to build lifelong friendships.

Question 23

In addition to the client's religion and family situation,which of these factors should the nurse recognize as the MOST important influence affecting the client in a nurse-client interaction?

A)gender and gender orientation
B)visual and hearing ability
C)educational background and employment status
D)self-awareness and level of compliance

Question 24

Which of these terms describes a dysfunction of the muscles used for speech?

A)aphasia
B)arthria
C)dysarthria
D)dysphasia

Question 25

The nurse is caring for a client with the impairment of speech.This condition is:

A)aphasia
B)arthria
C)dysarthria
D)dysphasia

Question 26

Nurse-client relationships progress through several phases.In which phase is MOST of the interaction conducted?

A)introduction
B)working
C)analysis
D)termination

Question 27

The nurse is preparing to administer a booster shot to a young boy who appears to be afraid of injections and says,"Boys aren't supposed to cry!" Which barrier to communication does this situation illustrate?

A)belittling
B)changing the subject
C)clichés
D)stereotyping

Question 28

A client and his wife have just been given information about his prognosis by the health care provider.The nurse enters the room to administer the client's scheduled medication when his wife snaps,"I don't know why you're even in here! You are doing nothing but using my husband as a guinea pig!" The nurse returns in a few minutes bringing some hot tea for the client's wife.Which of these behaviors does the nurse illustrate in this situation?

A)empathy
B)genuineness
C)respect
D)warmth

Question 29

Effective communication skills are essential for the nurse in any health care setting because these skills:

A)are used by clients to judge a nurse's intelligence
B)affect the client's perception and evaluation of services provided
C)can negatively influence a client's well-being
D)help the nurse build self-confidence and self-esteem

Question 30

For communication between nurse and client to be considered therapeutic,the focus of the conversation must be on:

A)the client's needs or problems
B)the nurse's needs or problems
C)the client's family's needs or problems
D)the client's compliance with the care plan

Question 31

With which of the following clients is it important to continue verbal communication,even though they cannot respond?

A)clients with dysphasia
B)non-English-speaking clients
C)clients who are terminally ill
D)clients who are visually impaired

Question 32

When talking with a client about discharge plans,the nurse is not sure what the client is saying about the home situation.Which of these statements by the nurse would illustrate a therapeutic communication technique in this situation?

A)"Tell me what you mean by that."
B)"Do you mean that you have many stairs to climb?"
C)"Are you frightened about going home?"
D)"We can talk about how your family can help."

Question 33

The nurse does not know the answer to a question posed by a client.Which of these actions should the nurse take?

A)Admit not knowing but offer to find out.
B)Give the client literature pertaining to the subject.
C)Suggest the client ask the health care provider.
D)Tell the client what a possibly correct answer may be.

Question 34

When caring for a client who is visually impaired,which of these actions is MOST important for the nurse take?

A)Ask for permission before touching the client.
B)Determine if social services should be included in discharge planning.
C)Keep side rails up at all times,and apply restraints if necessary to prevent client from wandering.
D)Insist a friend or family member stay at the bedside to assist in daily care.

Question 35

A client asks the nurse a question about a prescribed treatment.The nurse responds,"It can be unpleasant,and you might experience considerable discomfort." This situation represents an example of how to achieve which goal of therapeutic communication?

A)developing trust
B)exploring feelings
C)providing information
D)showing caring

Question 36

The nurse is caring for a client who has experienced a stroke and is no longer able to speak.This condition is known as:

A)aphasia
B)arthria
C)dysarthria
D)dysphasia

Question 37

Which of these factors determines the amount of time spent in any of the three phases of nurse-client interaction?

A)purpose of the interaction
B)length of client appointment or hospitalization
C)skill and experience of nurse
D)presence of client's family members

Question 38

A client has been told that a biopsy report is positive for cancer.Which of these statements by a nurse would illustrate a barrier to communication in this situation?

A)"You have a right to be concerned."
B)"You are upset?"
C)"Don't worry.Everything will be fine."
D)"How can I help you?"

Question 39

In providing care to the client with dysphasia,which of these actions should the nurse take?

A)Continue to provide explanations before doing anything.
B)Encourage a family member to stay with the client as often as possible.
C)Plan care around rehabilitation activities to improve speech.
D)Speak only when absolutely necessary,to avoid confusion for the client.

Question 40

Which of the following client information must the nurse include in an end-of-shift report?

A)information about changes in family status
B)significant changes in client status
C)any unexpected incidents involving staff
D)the time that the next care-planning review will occur

Question 41

Which statement demonstrates appropriate communication techniques by the student nurse in maintaining a therapeutic relationship with the client?

A)"I need to ask you a lot of questions about your health so that I can complete my paperwork."
B)"I want you to use your incentive spirometer at least Q2H while awake,to deep breath and cough.You can call me if you need any help."
C)"I'll need to get a blood sample from your finger,in order to check the amount of sugar in your blood."
D)"I'm wondering if you knew that your doctor had scheduled you for a test tomorrow? You don't have any questions about the procedure,do you?"

Question 42

The nurse is reviewing a physician's prescriptions for a client.The nurse must check the completeness of the order,any allergies reported by the client,and any special instructions for taking the medication correctly.This is an example of which type of communication?

A)listening
B)verbal
C)nonverbal
D)reading

Question 43

An elderly woman with right-sided weakness has tears in her eyes and sadly states,"I used to brush my hair 100 strokes a day and now I have to rely on others to do it." Which response from the nurse would be the MOST empathetic?

A)"It must be hard not to be able to do things for yourself."
B)"Let me brush your hair and then I'll help you with breakfast."
C)"With physical therapy,you will be able to brush your hair again someday."
D)"That's true,but there are lots of other things you are capable of doing for yourself."

Question 44

The nurse uses telecommunications equipment and communication networks to transfer a request for medical supplies to a different location.This is an example of:

A)the computerized client record
B)Internet health continuum
C)proxemics
D)telehealth

Question 45

Therapeutic communication differs from social conversation for which of the following reasons? (Select all that apply. )

A)It is centered on nursing care of the client.
B)It focuses on building a trust relationship between nurse and client.
C)It is goal directed.
D)It is centered on the client's needs or problems.
E) It is used only by therapists in a health care setting.

Question 46

Which of these actions does NOT demonstrate respect?

A)telling a client that he or she really has no reason to be concerned about his or health problem.
B)providing for privacy as needed and promising confidentiality regarding health information
C)providing opportunity for the client to be involved in making health care decisions
D)including the client in planning the treatment and activity schedule