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?

Questions 53

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ATI RN Test Bank

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

The nurse cares for a patient who has just been diagnosed with lung cancer. Which statement by the nurse is therapeutic?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it demonstrates empathy and validates the patient's emotions. Acknowledging the patient's fear shows understanding and support, which is essential in therapeutic communication. Choice B gives false hope and may not be accurate. Choice C dismisses the seriousness of the diagnosis. Choice D is unrelated and does not address the patient's emotional needs. In summary, choice A is therapeutic as it shows empathy and support, while the other choices are either inaccurate, dismissive, or irrelevant.

Question 3 of 9

The nurse needs to obtain a health history from a Spanish-speaking patient. Which action by the nurse is best?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Request a Spanish-speaking medical interpreter. This is the best action because it ensures accurate and effective communication between the nurse and the patient, maintaining patient confidentiality and preventing misinterpretation. Using a bilingual friend of the patient (A) may lead to bias or inaccurate translation. Nonverbal communication and drawing pictures (B) may not convey complex medical information effectively. Interviewing the patient's English-speaking daughter (D) may result in miscommunication and potential inaccuracies in the health history.

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 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 6 of 9

A nurse manager offers a staff nurse a choice between working 8- or 12-hour shifts. Which statement, if made by the staff nurse, is nonassertive and may result in a frustrated response from the nurse manager?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: - Choice A is correct because it is nonassertive and implies a desire for control over others' schedules, which may frustrate the nurse manager. - Choice B is incorrect because it shows indifference, not assertiveness. - Choice C is incorrect as it expresses a clear preference without being nonassertive. - Choice D is incorrect because it is assertive but in a negative and confrontational way.

Question 7 of 9

The nurse cares for an adult client who is diagnosed with active tuberculosis. Which action, if performed by the nurse during introductions, shows respect for the client? (Select all that apply)

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because maintaining eye contact shows respect and attentiveness towards the client. It demonstrates active listening and helps build trust. Choice B is incorrect as avoiding touch may convey fear or stigma towards the client. Choice C is incorrect as it may create a sense of isolation rather than respect. Choice D is incorrect as small talk about the weather may not necessarily show genuine respect for the client's situation. Overall, maintaining eye contact is a universal sign of respect and connection in communication.

Question 8 of 9

A female nurse discusses a concern related to client care with a male physician. Which communication strategy, if used by the nurse, is most effective?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Use a direct approach with succinct sentences. This is the most effective communication strategy because it promotes clear and concise communication, which is essential when discussing concerns related to client care. By using a direct approach, the nurse can effectively convey her message to the physician without any confusion or ambiguity. Choice A is incorrect because assuming a subservient role can undermine the nurse's professionalism and confidence. Choice C is incorrect because asking questions instead of making recommendations may not effectively address the concern at hand. Choice D is incorrect because politeness alone may not ensure effective communication if the message is not clearly articulated.

Question 9 of 9

The nurse cares for an elderly patient in a long-term care center. Which would be inappropriate for the nurse to share with the client?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because using high levels of intimacy with a client in a professional setting is inappropriate and can violate boundaries. The nurse should maintain a professional relationship with the client to ensure ethical standards are upheld. A: Reminiscing about birthday celebrations is appropriate as it can help build rapport and show empathy towards the client. C: Sharing a personal story to establish trust is acceptable as long as it is relevant to the client's situation and does not breach confidentiality. D: Sharing information about meditation decreasing nausea during chemotherapy treatment is relevant and can provide valuable support to the client.

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