ATI RN
Communication in Nursing 8th Edition Test Bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 36-year-old woman who is in traction for a fractured femur that she received in an auto accident is found crying quietly. The nurse can best address this situation by saying:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it acknowledges the patient's emotions, shows empathy, and encourages open communication. By stating "You are upset. Can you tell me what's wrong?" the nurse validates the patient's feelings and invites her to express her concerns. This approach fosters trust and allows the nurse to address the underlying issues causing the patient's distress. Choice A is incorrect as it assumes the patient is in pain without confirmation and may come off as dismissive. Choice B is inappropriate as it lacks empathy and demands the patient to stop crying, which can further escalate the situation. Choice C is insensitive as it diminishes the patient's feelings by comparing her situation to a potential worse outcome, which is not helpful in addressing her emotional distress.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is aware that the purpose of therapeutic communication is to:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because therapeutic communication aims to focus on the patient and their needs to facilitate a therapeutic interaction. This involves active listening, empathy, and creating a supportive environment for the patient to express their thoughts and feelings. Gathering information (choice A) is important but not the sole purpose of therapeutic communication. Directing the patient to communicate about deepest concerns (choice B) may not always be appropriate or helpful. Lastly, gaining specific medical information and history of illness (choice D) is part of a comprehensive assessment but not the primary goal of therapeutic communication.
Question 3 of 5
When the nurse observes a resident in a long-term facility pounding his fists on his legs and grinding his teeth, the nurse will validate her perception of the patient's nonverbal expression of anger by:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it demonstrates active listening and empathy towards the patient's nonverbal cues. By sitting down near the patient and acknowledging his emotions, the nurse opens up a channel for communication and offers support. This approach allows the patient to express his feelings and needs, leading to better understanding and potential resolution of the underlying issue. Other choices are incorrect because: A: Simply documenting the observation does not address the patient's emotional state or provide any opportunity for direct communication. B: Asking another staff member for their perception does not involve the patient directly and may not accurately reflect the patient's emotions. C: Referring to the care plan does not involve the patient in the process and may not address the immediate emotional needs expressed through nonverbal behavior.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient who states, "I tossed and turned last night." The nurse responds to the patient, "You feel like you were awake all night?" This is an example of:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: restatement. Restatement involves repeating the patient's words to confirm understanding. In this scenario, the nurse echoed the patient's statement to show empathy and acknowledge the patient's feelings. This technique helps build rapport and fosters therapeutic communication. Explanation of why other choices are incorrect: A: Open-ended question: This involves encouraging the patient to elaborate on their feelings or experiences, not just repeating what the patient said. C: Reflection: This involves restating the patient's feelings to show understanding, not simply repeating their words. D: Offering self: This involves offering oneself to the patient for support, which was not demonstrated in the scenario.
Question 5 of 5
A patient tells the nurse that she dislikes the food that is served in the hospital. The nurse responds, "Our cooks work very hard; the food that is served is very good." The nurse's response is an example of the communication block of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: defensive response. The nurse's response deflects the patient's complaint about the food quality by defending the cooks' efforts instead of addressing the patient's concerns. This can create a barrier to effective communication by dismissing the patient's feelings and not acknowledging their perspective. A: Judgmental response involves criticizing or making assumptions about the patient, which is not evident in the nurse's reply. B: Giving advice would involve offering suggestions on how to improve the situation, which the nurse did not do. D: Using clichés would involve using overused phrases that may not directly relate to the patient's concern, which is not the case in this scenario. In summary, the nurse's defensive response fails to address the patient's complaint and can hinder effective communication by dismissing the patient's feelings.