The nurse cares for the mother of a child who died in the emergency room as a result of an accidental poisoning. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

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Communication in Nursing Test Bank Questions

Question 1 of 9

The nurse cares for the mother of a child who died in the emergency room as a result of an accidental poisoning. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because accurately reflecting on the mother's feelings shows understanding and empathy, validating her emotions. This approach helps establish trust and connection, essential in providing emotional support. A: Placing greater emphasis on nonverbal aspects may not effectively convey empathy and understanding. C: Merely repeating exact phrases may come off as insincere and robotic, lacking genuine empathy. D: Reflecting on the mother's feelings using the nurse's own words may not accurately capture the depth of the mother's emotions and may lead to misinterpretation.

Question 2 of 9

The nurse cares for a young adult patient in the emergency room after a sexual assault. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because actively listening to the patient express feelings related to the sexual assault is crucial for providing emotional support and establishing trust. This action demonstrates empathy and validates the patient's experience. It allows the patient to process their emotions and facilitates a therapeutic relationship. Avoiding decision-making situations (A) is inappropriate as it disregards the patient's autonomy. Suggesting joining a support group (B) may be helpful but should not be the immediate priority over addressing the patient's current emotional needs. Providing detailed information about evidence collection and procedures (D) is important but should come after addressing the patient's emotional well-being.

Question 3 of 9

The nurse is performing a well-child assessment on a 15-month-old child. The child's mother and father are present. Which action by the nurse will best determine the health beliefs and values of the parents?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Actively listen to the parents talk about their lives and health concerns. This action allows the nurse to directly learn about the parents' health beliefs and values. By listening attentively, the nurse can understand the parents' perspectives, concerns, and priorities regarding their child's health. This approach promotes trust and open communication, enabling the nurse to provide individualized and culturally sensitive care. Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect: A: Having the parents complete the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator survey is not relevant to determining their health beliefs and values. B: Reading the health histories of the child's parents and grandparents may provide some background information but may not reflect their current health beliefs and values. D: Reviewing traditional health practices of the ethnic group identified by the parents assumes that all individuals within that group hold the same beliefs, which may not be accurate.

Question 4 of 9

A non-Hispanic white nurse provides care to mostly Hispanic patients. It would be most important for the nurse to take which action?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Understanding cultural influences is crucial for providing effective care to diverse patients. Step 2: By discovering healthcare perceptions and behaviors, the nurse can tailor care to meet the patients' needs. Step 3: This approach promotes cultural competence and improves patient outcomes. Step 4: Other choices are incorrect as they do not address the core issue of cultural understanding and sensitivity.

Question 5 of 9

The nurse cares for a client who does not follow dietary recommendations for treatment of heart failure. Which statement, if made by the nurse, demonstrates respect for the client?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because it demonstrates empathy and respect for the client's autonomy. By stating "I care about you even if you are not following your dietary restrictions," the nurse acknowledges the client's choice while still showing concern for their well-being. This response fosters a supportive and non-judgmental relationship with the client. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they either show indifference, use coercion, or imply a comparison between patients based on their dietary choices. These responses do not prioritize the client's feelings, choices, or autonomy, which is essential in providing patient-centered care.

Question 6 of 9

The nurse observes a student nurse who demonstrates nonverbal expressions that are cold and convey disinterest when caring for patients. Which statement, if made by the nurse, is best?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. This response provides constructive feedback by suggesting a specific action for improvement. Here's a step-by-step rationale: 1. Option A is incorrect because it is negative and does not offer guidance for improvement. 2. Option B is incorrect because it is judgmental and may be discouraging to the student nurse. 3. Option D is incorrect because it is vague and lacks specificity on how to change behavior. 4. Option C is the best choice as it offers a positive solution by providing guidance on how to improve through observation and learning from the nurse's warmth towards patients.

Question 7 of 9

Which patient would most likely be uncomfortable with close personal space during an interaction with the nurse?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because the 19-year-old white female patient standing 2 feet in front of the nurse would likely feel uncomfortable with close personal space. Younger individuals tend to value personal space more and may feel more uncomfortable with proximity. Standing 2 feet away is closer than the social distance zone, leading to potential discomfort. Choice B is incorrect because the 40-year-old African-American male patient is sitting next to the nurse, which indicates a level of comfort with proximity. Choice C is incorrect because the 60-year-old Latin-American female patient who is seated across from the nurse is at a comfortable distance for interaction. Choice D is incorrect because the 82-year-old patient from France who is lying in bed with the nurse sitting next to the bed is likely in a more intimate setting where close personal space is expected.

Question 8 of 9

A nurse using active listening techniques would:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Answer A is correct because active listening involves using nonverbal cues such as leaning forward, focusing on the speaker's face, and nodding slightly to show that you are engaged and understanding the message. Leaning forward demonstrates interest, focusing on the face shows attentiveness, and nodding indicates acknowledgment. These actions encourage the speaker to continue sharing and feel heard. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: B: Avoiding eye contact can make the speaker feel ignored or disconnected, which goes against the principles of active listening. C: Anticipating what the speaker is trying to say and finishing their sentences is not active listening; it can be seen as interrupting and not allowing the speaker to express themselves fully. D: Asking probing questions and directing the conversation towards obtaining specific information efficiently is not active listening. It can come across as controlling the conversation rather than actively listening to the speaker.

Question 9 of 9

According to Kimble and Bamford-Wade, what distinguishes the behavior of one caring and competent nurse from another nurse who is simply competent but not engaged with the patient?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Warmth, the hallmark of compassion. Kimble and Bamford-Wade emphasize that warmth, which signifies compassion, is the key factor that distinguishes a caring and competent nurse from one who is solely competent but lacks engagement with the patient. This is because warmth builds trust, fosters connection, and shows genuine concern for the patient's well-being. Immediacy (A) may be important for timely care, attention (C) is vital but doesn't capture the emotional aspect, and communication (D) is essential but focuses more on the delivery of information rather than the emotional connection that warmth provides.

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