ATI RN
Communication in Nursing Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient who has had a stroke is unable to speak clearly and has right sided hemiplegia. The nurse will design the approach to the assessment interview by:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because speaking slowly and giving the patient time to respond allows the patient with speech difficulties due to the stroke to process information and formulate a response. Prompting or finishing sentences can hinder the patient's ability to communicate independently. Asking questions to the patient directly, rather than relying on a family member, ensures accurate information is obtained directly from the patient. Telling the patient that all information will come from the daughter undermines the patient's autonomy and may lead to incomplete or inaccurate information.
Question 2 of 5
When a patient states, "My son hasn't been to see me in months," the nurse's best verbal response is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B Rationale: 1. Reflective listening: Restating the patient's statement shows empathy and understanding. 2. Open-ended question: Encourages patient to share more without assumptions. 3. Non-judgmental: Neutral tone promotes trust and openness. 4. Validates patient's feelings: Acknowledges patient's concerns without dismissing them. Summary: A: Provides false reassurance, does not address the patient's feelings. C: Shifts focus to the nurse, not patient-centered. D: Implies judgment, may shut down communication.
Question 3 of 5
A patient states, "I'm so worried that I might have cancer." The nurse responds, "It is time for you to eat breakfast." The nurse's response is an example of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: changing the subject. The nurse's response shifts the conversation away from the patient's expression of worry about having cancer to a completely unrelated topic - eating breakfast. This technique blocks effective communication as it disregards the patient's concerns and prevents further exploration of the underlying issue. By redirecting the conversation, the nurse fails to address the patient's emotional needs and misses an opportunity to provide support and reassurance. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the nurse's response in this scenario.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse caring for a patient who is concerned about her 10-pound weight loss relative to her chemotherapy tells the patient, "Lucky you! Every cloud has a silver lining." The nurse's statement is an example of which type of communication block?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Using clichés. The nurse's statement, "Lucky you! Every cloud has a silver lining," is a cliché that minimizes the patient's concerns about her weight loss and chemotherapy. Clichés are overused phrases that lack originality and can be dismissive or unhelpful in communication. In this case, the nurse's response does not address the patient's emotional or physical needs and fails to provide meaningful support. Incorrect choices: A: Defensive response - This choice involves reacting defensively to the patient's concerns, which is not demonstrated in the nurse's statement. B: Asking probing questions - This choice involves seeking further information from the patient, which is not reflected in the nurse's cliché response. D: Changing the subject - This choice involves diverting the conversation away from the patient's concerns, which is not explicitly done in the given scenario.
Question 5 of 5
When communicating with a hearing impaired patient, the nurse appropriately:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: uses short, simple sentences. This is the most appropriate approach because hearing-impaired patients may have difficulty processing complex information. Using short, simple sentences helps improve comprehension. Shouting repeatedly (choice A) can be distressing and ineffective. Speaking directly into the patient's ear (choice B) may be invasive and uncomfortable. Using long, complex sentences (choice C) can overwhelm the patient and lead to confusion. Therefore, option D is the best choice for effective communication with a hearing-impaired patient.