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?

Questions 53

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Open-Ended Questions in Nursing Communication Questions

Question 1 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: Listen to the patient's stories about her past experiences. This approach allows the nurse to show empathy, build trust, and understand the patient's perspective. By actively listening to the patient's stories, the nurse can provide emotional support and help the patient process her emotions and thoughts. A: Suggesting a support group may be beneficial, but it may not address the patient's immediate need for understanding and processing her diagnosis. B: Providing reading material on death and dying may be overwhelming and not personalized to the patient's specific needs. C: Contacting the patient's spiritual leader may not be appropriate if the patient does not have a strong spiritual connection or desire for daily visits.

Question 2 of 9

The HCP should be notified if a normal voiding pattern (e.g., pain free, symptom free) fails to resume within which time period after removal of Mr. B's (bladder cancer) catheter (after the BCG treatment)?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 3 days. After BCG treatment for bladder cancer, it is crucial for the healthcare provider (HCP) to be notified if a normal voiding pattern does not resume within 3 days. This timeframe allows for monitoring any potential complications or urinary retention post-catheter removal. Option A (6 hours) is too short for significant changes to occur, option B (12 hours) is also too soon to assess the situation comprehensively, and option D (1 week) is too long to wait for potential issues to be addressed promptly. Therefore, option C is the most appropriate time frame for early intervention if the patient experiences any urinary difficulties post-catheter removal.

Question 3 of 9

A patient is irritable and complains to the nurse about difficulty sleeping last night. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because it demonstrates active listening and encourages the patient to share more information about their difficulty sleeping. By asking the patient to elaborate, the nurse can gather important details to identify the root cause and provide appropriate interventions. Choice A is dismissive and lacks empathy. Choice C makes an assumption without gathering more information. Choice D is a generalization and does not address the patient's specific concerns.

Question 4 of 9

A client has high blood pressure and needs to learn about a low-sodium diet. Which question if asked by the client would be an indirect request for information?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the client is indirectly asking for information on how to make food taste better without explicitly mentioning sodium or low-sodium diet. Choices A, C, and D are direct requests for information related to sodium intake, blood pressure control, and high-sodium foods, respectively. By choosing B, the client is hinting at the need for flavorful alternatives without directly addressing the issue of sodium restriction. This indirect approach suggests a desire to maintain taste while adapting to a low-sodium diet.

Question 5 of 9

The home health nurse cares for a patient who is diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Which response(s) and behavior(s) by the nurse would indicate that bonding between nurse and patient has occurred? (Select all that apply)

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because listening to the patient describe their feelings of anxiety related to severe dyspnea indicates empathy, active listening, and emotional support, which are essential for building a strong nurse-patient bond. By actively listening to the patient's concerns, the nurse shows genuine care and understanding, fostering trust and connection. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect: A: Expects the patient to meet exercise goals - This choice emphasizes a more authoritative approach and does not necessarily indicate a strong bond. C: Develops teaching plan based on learning preferences - While important for effective teaching, this choice focuses on education rather than emotional connection. D: Refrains from touching the patient - Touch can be a comforting gesture and important for physical assessment, but avoiding it altogether may not necessarily indicate bonding.

Question 6 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: Step 1: Asking the client to report the amount of fluid intake for the past 24 hours is the most appropriate action because it provides objective data on the client's adherence to fluid restrictions. Step 2: This information helps the nurse to assess the client's compliance and make informed decisions about the next steps in care. Step 3: By obtaining accurate information on fluid intake, the nurse can identify any discrepancies between prescribed fluid restrictions and actual intake, leading to appropriate interventions. Step 4: This action promotes client accountability and empowers them to take an active role in managing their health. In summary, choice B is correct as it directly addresses the issue of non-adherence to fluid restrictions by gathering crucial information for assessment and intervention. Choices A, C, and D do not provide immediate actionable data on the client's fluid intake and do not address the core issue effectively.

Question 7 of 9

The nurse instructs the nursing assistant to obtain temperatures on four patients and report abnormal findings immediately. Two hours later the nurse discovers that one of the patients had a fever that was not reported. The nurse is upset with the nursing assistant. Which statement, if made by the nurse, is concrete and specifically explains the nurse's feelings?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: "I am disappointed because you did not follow my directions." This statement directly addresses the issue by highlighting the nursing assistant's failure to follow instructions, leading to the unreported fever. The nurse expresses disappointment, which is a concrete feeling based on the specific situation. Explanation: 1. "I am not dissatisfied with your performance, because we all make mistakes." - This choice downplays the seriousness of the situation and fails to address the specific issue of not following directions. 2. "You must have misunderstood. I wanted to know about any elevated temperatures." - This choice implies a possible misunderstanding without directly addressing the failure to report the fever. 3. "I am disappointed because you did not follow my directions." - This choice directly states the reason for the nurse's feelings, linking the disappointment to the nursing assistant's failure to report the fever. 4. "You have made me so angry. Why did you not report the fever to me?" - This choice uses

Question 8 of 9

According to the NCSBN, appropriate self-disclosure is a part of maintaining professional boundaries. Appropriate self-disclosure includes the following:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because appropriate self-disclosure in a therapeutic setting should be brief, focused, and only used if the experience is similar to the patient's situation. This helps to build rapport and create a sense of empathy without overstepping professional boundaries. Choice A is incorrect because discussing intimate or personal values with patients can lead to boundary issues. Choice B is incorrect because keeping secrets with or for a patient can compromise confidentiality and trust. Choice C is incorrect because expressing that you are the only one who truly understands the patient can create a power dynamic that is not conducive to a therapeutic relationship.

Question 9 of 9

The nurse greets a patient who is admitted to the hospital. Which action by the nurse displays warmth and concern?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because using a soft and relaxed tone of voice conveys warmth and concern, creating a welcoming and comforting environment for the patient. This approach helps build rapport and trust. Choice B is incorrect because maintaining a distance of 6 to 8 feet may come off as cold and distant, lacking warmth and concern. Choice C is incorrect because avoiding attentive behaviors can make the patient feel neglected and uncared for, which does not display warmth and concern. Choice D is incorrect because engaging in a verbal exchange without physical contact alone may not be enough to demonstrate genuine warmth and concern towards the patient.

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