ATI RN
Open-Ended Questions in Nursing Communication Questions
Question 1 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 2 of 9
Ms. C (bowel resection and colostomy) repeatedly calls for help during the shift with various small requests. She is talkative and pleasant, and she does everything she can to get staff members to "stay and chat." What is the best response?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B - "You'll be okay for right now, and I will come back and check on you later." Rationale: 1. Acknowledges the patient's needs without dismissing them. 2. Sets boundaries by indicating that the nurse will return later. 3. Shows concern for the patient's well-being. 4. Maintains professionalism while addressing the patient's behavior. Summary: A: Does not set boundaries, may encourage the patient to continue seeking attention. C: Does not address the immediate need for the patient's care and may prolong the conversation. D: Passing off responsibility to volunteers may not address the underlying issue of the patient seeking excessive attention.
Question 3 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 4 of 9
The nurse recognizes the patient who demonstrates communication congruency when the patient:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: The patient is tearful and slow in speech when talking about her husband's death. Step 2: Verbal message: Discussing husband's death, Nonverbal message: Tearful and slow speech. Step 3: Verbal and nonverbal messages are congruent - sadness is reflected in both. Step 4: This congruency indicates genuine emotions and honest communication. Step 5: Therefore, choice C is correct as it demonstrates communication congruency. Summary: Choice A: Incongruent communication - smiling and laughing contradict feelings of loneliness and depression. Choice B: Incongruent communication - hand-wringing and pacing contradict denial of being upset. Choice D: Incongruent communication - stating comfort while frowning and teeth clenched contradict each other.
Question 5 of 9
The practical nursing student who is engaged in a therapeutic communication with a patient will have the most difficulty with the technique of:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: silence. In therapeutic communication, silence can be challenging for students as it requires them to be comfortable with pauses in conversation, which can sometimes feel awkward. However, silence can be a powerful tool in allowing the patient to reflect and express their thoughts. Closed questions (A) limit communication, restating (B) encourages the patient to elaborate, and using general leads (C) helps open up the conversation. Therefore, the practical nursing student will have the most difficulty with silence as it may be perceived as ineffective or uncomfortable.
Question 6 of 9
Which describes characteristics of mutuality in the nurse–client relationship? (Select all that apply)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Collaboration. Mutuality in the nurse-client relationship involves working together towards shared goals, with both parties actively participating and contributing to decision-making processes. Collaboration fosters a relationship based on equality, respect, and shared responsibility, leading to improved outcomes for the client. A: Dependency is not a characteristic of mutuality as it implies one party relying solely on the other, which goes against the principles of collaboration and shared decision-making. C: Paternalism is not a characteristic of mutuality as it involves a one-sided approach where the nurse makes decisions on behalf of the client without their active involvement or input. D: Acceptance of differences, while important in promoting understanding and respect in the relationship, is not a defining characteristic of mutuality. It is more about acknowledging and respecting each other's unique perspectives rather than actively collaborating towards common goals.
Question 7 of 9
The nurse cares for a patient with urinary incontinence after a stroke. Which response by the nurse is best?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it demonstrates empathy, offers support, and involves the patient in the care plan. The nurse acknowledges the patient's feelings, shows willingness to collaborate on a solution, and promotes empowerment through bladder retraining. Choice B is incorrect as it dismisses the patient's feelings and is unprofessional. Choice C, although somewhat supportive, lacks active involvement in addressing the issue. Choice D does not promote independence or address the patient's emotional needs.
Question 8 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 9 of 9
When communicating with an aphasic patient, the nurse appropriately:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because assuming the patient can understand shows respect and preserves their dignity. Speaking slowly and clearly allows the patient more time to process information. Choice A is incorrect as shouting may further confuse the patient. Choice C is incorrect as direct communication with the patient is essential.