ATI RN
Communication in Nursing Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 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 2 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 actively listening to the patient describe their feelings of anxiety related to severe dyspnea demonstrates empathy and a deeper connection between the nurse and patient. This behavior shows understanding and support, fostering trust and rapport. It indicates that the nurse is attentive to the patient's emotional needs, which is essential for effective care in chronic conditions like COPD. Option A is incorrect because expecting the patient to meet exercise goals set by the nurse does not necessarily indicate bonding. It may reflect a more authoritative approach rather than a collaborative relationship. Option C, while important for individualized education, does not specifically indicate bonding unless it involves understanding the patient's preferences on a personal level. Option D is incorrect because refraining from touching the patient may be necessary in some situations, but it does not directly relate to establishing a bond.
Question 3 of 9
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 4 of 9
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 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 6 of 9
The nursing supervisor instructs a group of novice nurses about the appropriate use of self-disclosure with patients. The nursing supervisor determines that teaching was successful if the novice nurse makes which statement?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Self-disclosure can be used to build a trusting relationship with the patient. This is because sharing personal information appropriately can help create a connection and foster trust between the nurse and the patient. By being open and genuine, nurses can demonstrate empathy and understanding, leading to better communication and rapport. Choice A is incorrect because while self-disclosure can help the patient understand the nurse, the primary goal is to build a therapeutic relationship. Choice B is incorrect because disclosing stories about others does not promote genuine connection and may not be relevant to the patient's care. Choice D is incorrect because fabricating personal experiences goes against the principles of honesty and authenticity in therapeutic communication.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse openly and genuinely discusses thoughts and feelings about sexually transmitted infections with a group of college students. Which benefit(s) may occur for these college students? (Select all that apply)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because openly discussing thoughts and feelings about sexually transmitted infections can help build trust between the nurse and college students. This trust can lead to the students feeling more comfortable seeking information and support from the nurse. Choice A is incorrect because open communication typically fosters ongoing discussions, not reluctance. Choice C is incorrect because open discussions can enhance credibility by showing transparency and expertise. Choice D is incorrect because open dialogue does not guarantee the accuracy of information, but it can facilitate a more informed discussion.
Question 8 of 9
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 9 of 9
The nurse cares for a patient who has type 2 diabetes mellitus and does not consistently follow the dietary restrictions and exercise recommendations. The patient takes a daily oral hypoglycemic agent as prescribed. Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A Rationale: 1. Acknowledges adherence to medication, reinforcing positive behavior. 2. Encourages patient compliance without judgment or criticism. 3. Focusing on the patient's effort in taking medication can lead to discussions about improving other aspects of diabetes management. Summary: B: While exercise is important, this choice may come across as dismissive and not addressing the patient's current behavior. C: This choice is judgmental and may damage the therapeutic relationship. D: This choice is defeatist and does not promote any positive change or motivation.