ATI RN
Open-Ended Questions in Nursing Communication Questions
Question 1 of 9
The nurse is caring for a patient who has just had a mastectomy (breast removal). The patient expresses concern that her husband will no longer find her attractive because of her mastectomy. The nurse appropriately responds:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it demonstrates active listening and empathy by reflecting the patient's concern. It shows that the nurse acknowledges the patient's feelings without making assumptions or offering false reassurance. Answer B may invalidate the patient's feelings by assuming the husband will find her attractive. Answer C redirects the focus to the nurse's experience, which may not be relevant to the patient. Answer D is inappropriate as it suggests drastic action and does not address the patient's emotional needs.
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 is providing care to a patient who was admitted with heart failure. The patient has not been following the prescribed diet or taking the prescribed medications. Which type of communication approach is most important for the nurse to use with this patient to facilitate a change in self-care behavior?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assertive, responsible, and caring communication. This approach is effective because it involves setting clear boundaries (assertive), taking ownership of the situation (responsible), and showing empathy and support (caring). By being assertive, the nurse can communicate expectations clearly. Being responsible conveys accountability and encourages the patient to take ownership of their health. The caring aspect fosters a supportive environment, making the patient feel understood and motivated to change. Choice A (Authoritative, honest, and outright communication) may come off as too forceful and may not promote cooperation. Choice C (Aggressive, sympathetic, and realistic communication) is contradictory - being aggressive does not align with being sympathetic. Choice D (Positive, expert, and focused communication) lacks the element of assertiveness needed to set clear boundaries and expectations.
Question 4 of 9
The team leader is teaching the nursing student about emergency respiratory equipment that should be available for Mr. L (tracheostomy and partial laryngectomy). Which piece of equipment is the most important to show to the student?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Bag-valve mask with extension tubing. This is the most important equipment to show to the student because it is essential for providing immediate ventilation support in case of respiratory distress for a patient with a tracheostomy or partial laryngectomy. The bag-valve mask allows for manual ventilation by delivering oxygen to the patient's lungs, and the extension tubing ensures easy access to the patient's airway. A: An adult-sized endotracheal tube is not the most important equipment in this scenario as the patient already has a tracheostomy in place. B: A laryngeal scope with blades of several sizes is used for visualizing the larynx and not essential for immediate respiratory support. D: A tracheostomy insertion tray is used for performing tracheostomy procedures and not required for routine emergency respiratory support. In summary, the bag-valve mask with extension tubing is the most critical equipment for immediate ventilation support
Question 5 of 9
The team leader makes very brief rounds to see each client before receiving the shift report to ensure client safety and to help determine acuity and assignments. Which actions will these brief assessments entail? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because asking the client how they are feeling can provide valuable information about their current condition. It allows the team leader to assess the client's subjective well-being, any immediate concerns, and potential changes in health status. Noting mental status (choice B) and measuring vital signs (choice C) are not typically part of a brief assessment before shift report. Palpating chest and abdominal areas for pain (choice D) would require more thorough assessment and is not necessary during brief rounds.
Question 6 of 9
The nurse cares for diverse clients in a community health setting. Which action should the nurse take first to learn about delivering care to diverse clients?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because developing self-awareness of personal healthcare beliefs is the first step in providing culturally competent care. By understanding one's own beliefs and biases, the nurse can approach care without imposing personal values. This self-awareness allows for better communication and respect for diverse client perspectives. A: Adopting a transcultural framework is important but should come after self-awareness to ensure authenticity. B: Asking clients about their beliefs is valuable, but understanding one's own beliefs must come first. D: Recognizing ethnocentric beliefs of minorities is important but not the initial step in providing culturally competent care.
Question 7 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 8 of 9
For administering pain medication to Mr. U (lung cancer and pulmonary resection), which route is the nurse most likely to question?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Rectal. Administering pain medication rectally may not be suitable for Mr. U with lung cancer and pulmonary resection due to potential issues with absorption and unpredictable drug effects. The lung cancer and pulmonary resection could affect blood flow and absorption through the rectal mucosa. Oral route may be compromised due to nausea or vomiting. IV route provides rapid onset and precise dosing. Intramuscular route may be used but could have slower onset compared to IV. Overall, rectal route is most likely to be questioned due to uncertainties in drug absorption and effectiveness in this specific patient population.
Question 9 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.