ATI RN
Communication in Nursing Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse preceptor is assigned to help several graduate nurses assess their ability to convey warmth to patients. Which activity, if selected by the nurse preceptor, is best?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because setting up sessions for the graduate nurses to practice various nonverbal gestures allows for active skill development. By practicing these gestures, they can receive immediate feedback from the preceptor and improve their ability to convey warmth effectively. Choice B is incorrect because simply observing behaviors of experienced nurses may not actively engage the graduate nurses in practicing and developing their own skills. Choice C is incorrect because providing a list of nonverbal behaviors may not be as effective as hands-on practice in improving the graduate nurses' ability to convey warmth. Choice D is incorrect because having the graduate nurses evaluate each other during simulated interviews may not provide structured guidance and feedback from the preceptor to help them improve their nonverbal communication skills effectively.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse is reviewing Mr. N's (non-Hodgkin lymphoma) medication administration record and sees that the combination therapy aprepitant, dexamethasone, and ondansetron was administered during the last shift. What is the nurse most likely to ask to determine efficacy of the therapy?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The nurse would ask about feelings of nausea and vomiting to determine the efficacy of the antiemetic therapy. Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy, which Mr. N would receive for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Improvement in these symptoms indicates the effectiveness of the antiemetic regimen. Choices A, B, and D are not directly related to the medications administered and would not provide valuable information on the efficacy of the therapy for managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Option A focuses on pain assessment, B on appetite and food preferences, and D on energy levels and fatigue, which are not the primary outcomes to evaluate in this context.
Question 3 of 9
One study of Italian primary care physicians caring for diabetic patients showed that those scoring highest on the empathy test had patients with:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Statistically fewer acute diabetic complications. This is because the study found a correlation between high empathy scores of physicians and lower occurrences of acute diabetic complications in their patients. The use of the term "statistically" implies a significant and reliable relationship between physician empathy and patient outcomes. Choice A is incorrect because the study did not specify "significantly" fewer complications, only a correlation with high empathy scores. Choice C is incorrect as there was no evidence of higher rates of chronic complications associated with physician empathy. Choice D is incorrect as the study did not find statistically higher poor outcomes for patients with diabetes, but rather a relationship with fewer acute complications.
Question 4 of 9
A nurse preceptor is assigned to help several graduate nurses assess their ability to convey warmth to patients. Which activity, if selected by the nurse preceptor, is best?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because setting up sessions for the graduate nurses to practice various nonverbal gestures allows for active skill development. By practicing these gestures, they can receive immediate feedback from the preceptor and improve their ability to convey warmth effectively. Choice B is incorrect because simply observing behaviors of experienced nurses may not actively engage the graduate nurses in practicing and developing their own skills. Choice C is incorrect because providing a list of nonverbal behaviors may not be as effective as hands-on practice in improving the graduate nurses' ability to convey warmth. Choice D is incorrect because having the graduate nurses evaluate each other during simulated interviews may not provide structured guidance and feedback from the preceptor to help them improve their nonverbal communication skills effectively.
Question 5 of 9
The nurse cares for a female patient who is trying to gain understanding of her life and her diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Which approach by the nurse would best meet this patient's needs?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because actively listening to the patient's stories about her past experiences allows for emotional expression, validation, and building trust. It promotes therapeutic communication and helps the patient gain understanding and cope with her diagnosis. Choice A focuses on group support, which may not address the patient's individual needs. Choice B is not appropriate as it may induce unnecessary fear. Choice C assumes the patient has specific spiritual beliefs and may not be welcomed.
Question 6 of 9
The nurse cares for a patient with a terminal illness. Which way would be the most therapeutic for the nurse to communicate with this patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Demonstrate understanding with empathy. This approach is the most therapeutic as it shows the nurse's genuine care and support for the patient, fostering a sense of trust and emotional connection. By empathizing, the nurse validates the patient's feelings and provides comfort without judgment. A: Using an honest, judgmental attitude can be harmful and create a barrier in the nurse-patient relationship. C: Acknowledging hope by expressions of sympathy is important but may not address the patient's immediate emotional needs. D: Consistently evaluating the patient's feelings is important, but without demonstrating empathy, it may come across as clinical and detached. In summary, choice B is the best approach as it prioritizes empathy and understanding, essential components in providing effective therapeutic communication.
Question 7 of 9
The nurse has implemented a plan to improve expression of warmth to other nurses. It is most important for the nurse to include which evaluation method?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because self-monitoring interactions with colleagues allows for personal reflection and assessment of warmth expression. This method promotes self-awareness and self-improvement. Asking patients (B) is not relevant for evaluating interactions among nurses. Inviting a supervisor (C) may introduce bias and may not accurately reflect warmth expression. Seeking nominations for an award (D) focuses on recognition rather than genuine improvement. Therefore, A is the most suitable method for evaluating the nurse's plan.
Question 8 of 9
The home health nurse visits a client with heart failure who has increased dyspnea and peripheral edema and weight gain. The nurse suspects the client is not restricting fluids as prescribed. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most appropriate action for the nurse is to ask the client to report the amount of fluid intake for the past 24 hours. This is the correct answer because it directly addresses the issue of non-compliance with fluid restrictions. By assessing the actual fluid intake, the nurse can identify the extent of the problem and provide targeted interventions. Option A is not the best choice as teaching about consequences may not address the immediate issue. Option C does not address the root cause of the problem but only provides a temporary solution. Option D is not appropriate as increasing the diuretic dose should be done in collaboration with the healthcare provider after assessing the client's current condition.
Question 9 of 9
Which demonstrates the nurse's genuine concern for clients?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because informing the patient about a medication error and symptoms to report shows transparency, honesty, and prioritizes patient safety. This action also promotes trust in the nurse-patient relationship. A: Choice A is incorrect because falsely reassuring a terminally ill patient does not demonstrate genuine concern and lacks honesty. B: Choice B is incorrect because delaying important information about the death of a dependent child is unethical and can cause unnecessary distress to the patient. C: Choice C is incorrect because providing a placebo without informed consent violates ethical principles and does not prioritize the patient's well-being.