ATI RN
Communication in Nursing Test Bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
The nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which nursing action would most likely improve client compliance with the therapeutic regimen?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because listening attentively to the client's perception of having a chronic illness is crucial for building trust, understanding their concerns, and fostering a therapeutic relationship. By actively listening, the nurse can address any misconceptions, provide education tailored to the client's needs, and involve the client in decision-making, ultimately improving compliance. Choice A is incorrect as ignoring negative statements can lead to feelings of neglect and hinder communication. Choice B is incorrect as avoiding touching the client may create a barrier to building rapport. Choice C is incorrect as focusing only on physical care neglects the psychological and emotional aspects of managing a chronic condition like diabetes.
Question 2 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 3 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.
Question 4 of 9
When communicating with an adolescent, the nurse should be very sensitive to avoid:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because offering advice can come off as dismissive to adolescents who value autonomy and independence. Adolescents prefer to feel heard and understood rather than being told what to do. Providing unsolicited advice can hinder trust and communication. Asking embarrassing questions (A) can be inappropriate but can still be necessary for assessment. Interrupting frequently (C) disrupts the flow of communication. Using active listening (D) is important but does not directly relate to avoiding sensitive topics with adolescents.
Question 5 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 6 of 9
The nurse explains that the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship differs from the social relationship because:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because in a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship, the focus is mainly on the nurse being therapeutically beneficial to the patient. This relationship is professional, goal-oriented, and centered on the patient's needs and well-being. The nurse's primary role is to provide care, support, and help the patient achieve their health goals. Unlike a social relationship, where the focus is mutual and not solely on the nurse, the therapeutic relationship is asymmetrical, with the nurse taking on a more authoritative and guiding role. This ensures that the patient receives the necessary care and support during their healthcare journey. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because a social relationship can have goals or needs to be met, the nurse-patient relationship extends beyond the patient's discharge, and trust and sharing of life experiences are essential components of the nurse-patient relationship.
Question 7 of 9
During the initial interview of a patient, the nurse should: (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: assess the language capabilities of the patient. This is crucial to ensure effective communication and understanding. By assessing language capabilities, the nurse can tailor communication strategies appropriately. Option B is helpful but not as essential as language assessment. Option C is incorrect as the interview duration should be based on patient needs, not a set time limit. Option D is relevant, but assessing comprehension abilities alone may not be sufficient if language barriers exist.
Question 8 of 9
While interviewing a Native American man for the admission history, the nurse should expect to:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it acknowledges the cultural communication norms of Native American individuals, who may take longer pauses during conversations to reflect and respond thoughtfully. By waiting patiently through these pauses, the nurse shows respect for the individual's communication style and allows for effective dialogue. Option B is incorrect because maintaining constant eye contact may be perceived as confrontational or disrespectful in some Native American cultures. Option C is incorrect as it assumes the patient needs permission to speak, which may not align with their cultural norms. Option D is incorrect as it undermines the individual's autonomy and may not accurately represent their perspective.
Question 9 of 9
The nurse cares for a patient who is scheduled for abdominal surgery. Which action, if taken by the nurse, is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Asking the patient about expectations for postoperative pain management is most appropriate as it involves assessing the patient's preferences and needs, ensuring individualized care. Option A is incorrect as mandating complementary therapy may not align with the patient's preferences or needs. Option B is incorrect as administering opioids based solely on pain rating may not consider individual variations in pain tolerance. Option D is incorrect as providing pain management solely based on a standardized care plan may not address the patient's specific needs and preferences.