ATI RN
Communication in Nursing Test Bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
The nurse cares for a patient who becomes confused and a vest restraint is applied. The nurse should take which action when notifying the patient's family?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because having another nurse who has a good relationship with the family present can help facilitate effective communication and address any concerns or questions the family may have. This approach can help build trust and provide emotional support during a potentially difficult situation. A: Avoiding discussing the treatment plan can lead to confusion and distrust. C: Using medical terms may confuse or intimidate the family and hinder effective communication. D: Assuming the family wants a detailed explanation may not be accurate and can result in information overload.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse tells a patient, "For the last 2 days we have talked about whether to notify your daughter of your upcoming surgery in 2 days. You have indicated you do not want to be a burden to her, but you also would like to have her here. You may have to decide rather quickly because of the time constraint." The nurse is using the technique of:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: summarizing. Summarizing involves presenting the problem and potential solutions to the patient in a clear and concise manner. In this scenario, the nurse is summarizing the patient's thoughts and concerns about notifying their daughter of the upcoming surgery. By doing so, the nurse is helping the patient to make a decision by clarifying the situation and potential options. This technique allows the patient to reflect on the information presented and make an informed choice. A: Focusing involves directing the conversation to a specific topic or issue. B: Reflection involves restating the patient's feelings or thoughts to show understanding. C: Restatement involves repeating the patient's words to confirm understanding. Therefore, the correct answer is D because summarizing is the technique being used in this scenario to help the patient make a decision regarding notifying their daughter about the upcoming surgery.
Question 3 of 9
According to Swanson's theory, there are five caring processes, one of which is "being with.= Which of the responses by the nurse portrays an understanding of the concept of "being with= a client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Step 1: Swanson's theory emphasizes the importance of "being with" a client, which involves being emotionally present and fully engaged. Step 2: Choice D reflects the concept of "being with" as it highlights the nurse's emotional presence and connection with the client. Step 3: The nurse actively engages with the client on an emotional level, demonstrating empathy and understanding. Step 4: Choices A, B, and C do not capture the essence of "being with" as they focus more on physical presence or logistical aspects rather than emotional connection. Summary: Choice D is correct because it aligns with the core principle of "being with" by emphasizing emotional presence, while the other choices lack this critical component.
Question 4 of 9
A hospital nurse is concerned about the demands of providing safe care to clients who are seriously ill. The nurse manager should suggest which intervention to effectively help the nurse balance the demanding work in the hospital setting?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Request a transfer to another nursing care unit with patients who are stable. Rationale: 1. By transferring to a unit with stable patients, the nurse can reduce the demands of caring for seriously ill clients. 2. This intervention helps in balancing the workload and provides a less stressful environment for the nurse. 3. It allows the nurse to focus on providing safe care without being overwhelmed by the demands of seriously ill patients. Incorrect choices: A: Delegating more tasks to unlicensed nursing personnel may not address the root cause of the nurse's concern and could potentially compromise patient safety. C: Writing stories in a journal may be a helpful coping mechanism but does not directly address the nurse's workload concerns. D: Using an assertive communication style is important but may not be the most effective solution for balancing the demands of caring for seriously ill clients.
Question 5 of 9
A patient is attracted to the nurse and attempts to initiate a social relationship. It is most appropriate for the nurse to take which action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to maintain professional boundaries with patients to ensure ethical practice and prevent potential harm. By telling the patient that the relationship must remain professional, the nurse sets clear boundaries and maintains the integrity of the therapeutic relationship. This approach protects both the patient and the nurse from potential ethical violations. Choice A is incorrect because encouraging the behavior could lead to boundary violations and harm the therapeutic relationship. Choice B is not the most appropriate immediate action as it does not address the situation directly with the patient. Choice D is also not the best course of action as transferring the patient does not address the underlying issue of maintaining professional boundaries.
Question 6 of 9
The nurse is caring for a patient who is concerned about living alone. The best response by the nurse is:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it shows empathy by asking for the patient's thoughts first, respecting their autonomy. It promotes open communication and understanding of the patient's concerns. Choice B may come off as judgmental or invasive. Choice C imposes the nurse's opinion on the patient, disregarding their feelings. Choice D is incomplete.
Question 7 of 9
The nurse instructs a client who is diagnosed with hypertension about weight reduction and dietary guidelines. Which action by the nurse would most likely improve the client's willingness to lose weight and eat healthy foods?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because giving genuine praise to the client for trying to improve dietary habits can positively reinforce their efforts and motivation to continue making healthy choices. This positive reinforcement can help the client feel supported and encouraged in their weight reduction and dietary goals. Choice A is incorrect because avoiding interaction during meals may make the client feel isolated and unsupported. Choice B is incorrect because ignoring the client's requests for high-fat or high-calorie foods may lead to feelings of deprivation and resistance to dietary changes. Choice D is incorrect because warning the client about potential negative consequences of being overweight can induce fear and may not be effective in promoting long-term behavior change.
Question 8 of 9
Ms. C (bowel resection) repeatedly refuses to perform a return demonstration of any aspect of colostomy care. Despite steady improvement and independent resumption of other ADLs, she protests, "I'm too weak. You'll have to do it for me." At this point, what is the priority nursing concept to consider in planning interventions for Ms. C?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Functional ability. This is because the priority nursing concept to consider in planning interventions for Ms. C is her ability to independently perform colostomy care. By refusing to demonstrate, she may be indicating a lack of functional ability to manage this aspect of self-care. This is essential for her long-term independence and quality of life. Mobility (choice A) is important but not the priority in this case. Tissue integrity (choice B) is also crucial but not as immediate as ensuring functional ability. Coping (choice D) is important for emotional well-being but does not address the primary issue of functional ability for self-care.
Question 9 of 9
The home care nurse visits a mother and her newborn 2 days after discharge from the hospital. The mother states, "My baby cries all the time. I must not be a very good mother.= Which response by the nurse is nontherapeutic?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it dismisses the mother's feelings and suggests a temporary distraction instead of addressing her concerns. Choice A validates the mother's feelings and promotes open communication. Choice B demonstrates empathy and physical support. Choice D encourages the mother to express her emotions further for better understanding. Overall, choice C is nontherapeutic as it does not address the underlying issue of the mother's feelings of inadequacy and instead offers a superficial solution.