Question 1

A nurse manager is educating staff on how to give effective presentations.Which statement indicates an understanding of this?
A)"To give an effective presentation,you should always maintain a positive attitude."
B)"You should avoid planning and should create the presentation as you go."
C)"Give the same presentation regardless of the audience."
D)"To reduce anxiety,avoid making eye contact with the audience."

Accepted Answer

To give an effective presentation the nurse should always maintain a positive attitude,plan the presentation ahead of time,spice up the presentation and make changes according to the audience,and make eye contact.

Question 2

Dr.Jones asks you to give a medication to one of the patients,and you know the patient is allergic to it.When you point this out,Dr.Jones says,"Give the medication or I'll report this to your supervisor." What is the best assertive response?
A)Agree to give the medication and hope no one finds out.
B)Say,"I won't give the medication,and I don't care who you talk to about it."
C)Walk away and ignore Dr.Jones.
D)Say,"Perhaps you and I could talk this over with my supervisor together."

Accepted Answer

Expressing to the physician that both of you should discuss the issue with the supervisor is an assertive response.As nurses gain experience,their judgment improves,and they are able to recognize ways to communicate needs and feelings with the goal of improving the processes and procedures used in the work setting.The patient's safety always comes first,so you would not go ahead and give the medication.When you walk away and ignore the comment,you are denying the feelings and not dealing assertively with the situation.Not giving the medication and stating that you don't care who the physician talks to about the issue is a threatening,aggressive response.

Question 3

The clinical instructor interprets the development of mutual goals and guidelines as
A)norming.
B)performing.
C)storming.
D)informing.

Accepted Answer

Norming begins with the development of guidelines and mutual goals.Successful task completion helps to redefine individual behavioral roles in the group.In the performing phase,everyone knows each other,and the group makes changes in a seamless way.The storming phase involves acting out roles normally portrayed in the presence of peers.Informing is not a phase in the group process.

Question 4

Which statement would be most appropriate for the nurse to make when practicing assertive behavior?
A)"I feel upset when Dr.Smith yells at me in front of my patients."
B)"I can't believe what a jerk Dr.Smith is;the doctor should be fired!"
C)"Dr.Smith was right in her action."
D)"I am reporting Dr.Smith to the medical director."

Accepted Answer

The nurse practicing assertive behavior would state: "I feel upset when Dr.Smith yells at me in front of my patients." The statement is direct and uses "I" statements.When the nurse says,"I can't believe what a jerk Dr.Smith is;the doctor should be fired" and "I am reporting Dr.Smith to the medical director," the nurse is using aggressive behavior.Statements such as "Dr.Smith was right in her action" indicate passive/avoidant behavior.

Question 5

A nurse is caring for a patient who is an immigrant.The nurse is aware of the importance of cultural competency and providing the patient with culturally competent care.What can be done to enhance communication with this patient?
A)Use jargon or slang.
B)Obtain an interpreter if needed.
C)Give longer explanations to enhance understanding.
D)Speak loudly to the patient.

Accepted Answer

To communicate effectively with this patient,the nurse may need to obtain an interpreter.The nurse should also avoid jargon or slang,give shorter explanations,and speak in a normal volume and tone to the patient.

Question 6

Which of the following actions by the nurse leader is most likely to lead to an effective meeting?
A)Creating an atmosphere in which people say very little
B)Sending out an agenda ahead of time
C)Creating well-designed overhead transparencies
D)Completing all the tasks of the group

Accepted Answer

It is the leader's responsibility to send out an agenda ahead of time and to indicate any preparations members need to make or materials they need to bring.It is important to have a meeting atmosphere where people feel as though they can respond and ask questions in a cooperative and collaborative setting.It is not necessary to have well-designed handouts for the meeting or for the leader to complete all the tasks of the group because this would indicate a lack of participation from the group members.

Question 7

Which action by the nurse shows a major characteristic of aggressive behavior?
A)Achievement of personal goals at the expense of others
B)Indirect expression of personal feelings
C)Communication of personal needs
D)Ability to restrict personal rights

Accepted Answer

All of us have a style of communication that reflects our own personality and self-concept.Achievement of the nurse's goals at the expense of others shows an aggressive behavior.Indirect expression of one's feelings describes passive behavior.Being able to communicate one's own needs describes an assertive behavior.Restricting one's own rights does not describe an assertive style of communication.Aggression is not an indirect expression of one's feelings but a very direct expression.Aggressive communication is angry and dominating where the person attempts to humiliate or "put down" other people.

Question 8

How can the grapevine best be controlled?
A)Providing factual information in anticipation of employees' questions
B)Using an authoritarian communication style
C)Putting everything in writing
D)Having a strong union to represent employees

Accepted Answer

Providing factual information in anticipation of employees' questions is an effective way to reduce the grapevine.Most employees get secondhand information,and few employees get enough of the factual information that they need.Even if information is put in writing,it is important to communicate verbally to employees by answering their questions.A strong union does not necessarily reduce the grapevine.

Question 9

Which term refers to the group member who watches others take the risks and responsibility for group input and agrees with everyone in the group?
A)Mouse
B)Motor mouth
C)Self-server
D)Know-it-all

Accepted Answer

The mouse is less confident of his or her abilities and is therefore less aggressive in the group dynamics.The motor mouth often interrupts others to get his or her point across.The self-server does not serve as a functional part of the group unless there is a benefit to him/her.The know-it-all is not a term used to describe group members.

Question 10

The dean of the nursing school wants to integrate interprofessional teamwork into the curriculum.What action by the dean would best meet this goal?
A)Ensure faculty are teaching components of interprofessional practice.
B)Deliver lectures to the students on interprofessional team dynamics.
C)Work with the other professional deans on interprofessional simulations.
D)Organize a workshop on delivering interprofessional health care.

Accepted Answer

Interprofessional practice involves people from different disciplines working together to provide care to patients.While all options are reasonable choices,simulation provides a hands-on opportunity to work with others and to practice skills,including communication.This would provide the best opportunity to meet the dean's goals.

Question 11

Which statement made the by the nurse indicates understanding of how to control the grapevine?
A)"Grapevine rumors are generally true."
B)"Avoid face-to-face communication."
C)"Avoid spreading rumors."
D)"Keep rumors circulating."

Accepted Answer

To control the grapevine,the nurse should avoid spreading rumors.The nurse should also promote face-to-face communication,obtain information from the source,and stop the circulating of rumors by not engaging in gossip.

Question 12

The nurse is using assertive communication skills to express self-rights when stating which of the following?
A)"I shield others from my anger."
B)"I do not compromise."
C)"I am avoiding direct confrontation."
D)"I am responsible for what I say."

Accepted Answer

When you use an assertive communication style,you send the message that you will take responsibility for the consequences of both your words and your actions.Assertive individuals often compromise and may confront people directly about issues.Assertive individuals express anger appropriately rather than shielding others or repressing the feeling.The other statements do not express an assertive communication style.

Question 13

Your team leader reminds you that you have forgotten to complete an assigned task.What is an assertive response?
A)"Not now;I'm busy."
B)"You're right.I did forget.I'll do it now."
C)"It's not my fault.You should have reminded me sooner."
D)"I'm so sorry I've disappointed you.It won't happen again."

Accepted Answer

When using assertive communication,a person would respond to criticism by acknowledging the issue and taking direct action to correct the problem.An apologetic response is not assertively taking responsibility for the forgotten task.Telling the person "you should have reminded me sooner" is placing the responsibility for the forgotten task onto another person.Telling the person you are busy is denying the issue.

Question 14

The graduate nurse has an adequate understanding of effective listening when stating which of the following?
A)"Limited level of vocabulary often affects listening skills."
B)"Underdeveloped attention span affects listening skills."
C)"External noise distractions affect listening skills."
D)"Emotional reactions interfere with the actual message."

Accepted Answer

One of the most problematic reasons for ineffective listening is that people allow their emotions to dictate what they hear or do not hear.Limited vocabulary,underdeveloped attention span,and external noise distractions are not the most problematic reasons for ineffective listening.

Question 15

A member of a nursing committee frequently disregards the rules of the group and feels that the rules do not apply to the member personally.The president of the committee recognizes this person as a
A)critical conservative.
B)motor mouth.
C)self-server.
D)mouse.

Accepted Answer

Self-servers are not willing to serve as a functioning part of the group,although they may appear to be group members when they perceive a personal benefit by the interaction.The critical conservatives typically have criticism for any suggestion other than their own.Motor mouths often interrupt others to get their points across.The mouse is known as a silent observer.

Question 16

Which action shows the cyclical phase of forming?
A)A group dissolving
B)Individuals coming together with a common bond
C)Developing mutual goals
D)A group completing tasks together

Accepted Answer

Forming is the beginning development of a group with well-defined reasons and common directions.Adjourning is the phase where groups dissolve.Norming is the phase in which mutual goals are established.Completing tasks together is part of the performing phase.

Question 17

The nursing manager on the cardiothoracic unit has noted increased friction among the nursing staff and physicians and is contemplating taking action to address the problem.What consideration is important when planning a response?
A)An emotional bond among team members is important for successful teamwork.
B)Strong leadership will create an environment where team members must work together.
C)Professionals need to be clear about disciplinary boundaries and expectations.
D)Nursing care should be determined solely by the nursing staff and evidence-based guidelines.

Accepted Answer

One of the most important ingredients in the team approach to delivering patient-centered care is a positive psychological and emotional bond among members of the team,which helps to develop more cohesiveness among the individuals of the team.Without a positive cohesive bond,there can and will be limits to the overall quality and function of the team.Providing activities that strengthen these bonds has the best chance of improving the situation.Strong leadership is important,but you cannot force team members to work well together.Interdisciplinary care is about erasing the strict separations among members of the interdisciplinary team and working together.Nursing care should be determined by evidence-based guidelines,but this doesn't address the situation.

Question 18

The nurse interprets assertive behavior as
A)apologetic.
B)coercive.
C)direct.
D)self-denying.

Accepted Answer

A person exhibiting assertive behavior would express his/her true feelings in an honest,direct manner.An assertive person's behavior respects others and is not coercive or self-denying or self-depreciating in any manner.Assertive persons accept compliments and criticism and are not excessively apologetic but have self-respect for their thoughts and actions.

Question 19

A nurse is meeting with the nurse supervisor to discuss an issue with a coworker.Which of the following statements would help the nurse effectively communicate with the supervisor?
A)"This is all my coworker's fault.I never do anything wrong."
B)"My coworker always makes 100 excuses to get out of work."
C)"I knew you would be on their side."
D)"I feel upset that my coworker seems to have less work than I do."

Accepted Answer

When communicating with a nurse supervisor,the nurse should avoid blaming others and exaggeration.The nurse should instead focus on using "I" statements to express the issue.

Question 20

Staff nurse 1: "You're stomping around and glaring at me.I'm wondering what's going on." Staff nurse 2: "I'm sick of you always going to lunch first.You don't care about anyone but yourself." What assessment can best be made about this exchange?
A)Staff nurse 1's remark is challenging and obstructive.
B)Staff nurse 1's remark invites clarification of the meaning of the specific behaviors of staff nurse 2.
C)Staff nurse 2's remark will facilitate effective problem solving.
D)Staff nurse 2's remark will keep anger at a minimum and give incentive for meeting the other's needs.

Accepted Answer

Nurse 1 was assertive in her approach by giving direct descriptive feedback reflecting nurse 2's actions with a question seeking information to explain nurse 2's actions.Asking about what is going on allows nurse 2 to make some comment about the issue.Nurse 2's comment does not promote effective problem solving as it is judgmental (You don't care about anyone but yourself.).

Quiz 12: Effective Communication, Team Building, and Inter-professional Practice

A nurse manager is educating staff on how to give effective presentations.Which statement indicates an understanding of this?

Dr.Jones asks you to give a medication to one of the patients,and you know the patient is allergic to it.When you point this out,Dr.Jones says,"Give the medication or I'll report this to your supervisor." What is the best assertive response?

The clinical instructor interprets the development of mutual goals and guidelines as

Which statement would be most appropriate for the nurse to make when practicing assertive behavior?

A nurse is caring for a patient who is an immigrant.The nurse is aware of the importance of cultural competency and providing the patient with culturally competent care.What can be done to enhance communication with this patient?

Which of the following actions by the nurse leader is most likely to lead to an effective meeting?

Which action by the nurse shows a major characteristic of aggressive behavior?

How can the grapevine best be controlled?

Which term refers to the group member who watches others take the risks and responsibility for group input and agrees with everyone in the group?

The dean of the nursing school wants to integrate interprofessional teamwork into the curriculum.What action by the dean would best meet this goal?

Which statement made the by the nurse indicates understanding of how to control the grapevine?

The nurse is using assertive communication skills to express self-rights when stating which of the following?

Your team leader reminds you that you have forgotten to complete an assigned task.What is an assertive response?

The graduate nurse has an adequate understanding of effective listening when stating which of the following?

A member of a nursing committee frequently disregards the rules of the group and feels that the rules do not apply to the member personally.The president of the committee recognizes this person as a

Which action shows the cyclical phase of forming?

The nursing manager on the cardiothoracic unit has noted increased friction among the nursing staff and physicians and is contemplating taking action to address the problem.What consideration is important when planning a response?

The nurse interprets assertive behavior as

A nurse is meeting with the nurse supervisor to discuss an issue with a coworker.Which of the following statements would help the nurse effectively communicate with the supervisor?

Staff nurse 1: "You're stomping around and glaring at me.I'm wondering what's going on." Staff nurse 2: "I'm sick of you always going to lunch first.You don't care about anyone but yourself." What assessment can best be made about this exchange?