ATI RN
Communication in Nursing Test Bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
The nurse prepares to obtain a health history from a hospitalized patient. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Respect the patient's privacy by closing the door. Closing the door ensures confidentiality and privacy during the health history interview. This step is crucial to maintain the patient's dignity and foster trust. Setting time limits (choice A) may compromise the quality of the assessment. Avoiding upsetting questions (choice B) may hinder the gathering of important information. Standing at the foot of the bed for eye contact (choice D) is not appropriate as it may seem confrontational and uncomfortable for the patient.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse is interviewing a Native American client. It is most important for the nurse to take which action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess whether the client is comfortable with eye contact. This is important because different cultures have varying views on eye contact, and it is crucial to respect the client's preferences. By assessing the client's comfort level with eye contact, the nurse can establish rapport and demonstrate cultural sensitivity. A: Maintaining eye contact may not be culturally appropriate for some Native American clients, so it is important to assess their comfort level first. C: Avoiding prolonged eye contact assumes all Native American clients have the same preferences, which is not accurate. D: Sitting next to the patient to avoid eye contact may be perceived as distancing or disrespectful in some cultures.
Question 3 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 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 patient who becomes confused and a vest restraint is applied. The nurse should take which action when notifying the patient's family?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because having another nurse who has a good relationship with the family present can help facilitate effective communication and address any concerns or questions the family may have. This approach can help build trust and provide emotional support during a potentially difficult situation. A: Avoiding discussing the treatment plan can lead to confusion and distrust. C: Using medical terms may confuse or intimidate the family and hinder effective communication. D: Assuming the family wants a detailed explanation may not be accurate and can result in information overload.
Question 6 of 9
The hospital nurse educator develops an educational session for staff nurses on how to clearly record data in a patient's electronic medical record. Which key point should the nurse educator include in the teaching plan? (Select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because documenting the frequency of assessments and interventions for high-risk patients, such as those at risk for falls, is crucial for patient safety and care coordination. By documenting more frequently for high-risk patients, nurses can ensure timely interventions and prevent adverse events. This practice aligns with the principles of patient-centered care and risk management. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: B: Avoiding labels in documentation is important for professionalism and ethical practice, but it is not directly related to the frequency of documentation for high-risk patients. C: Detailed and specific documentation is required for all patients to ensure comprehensive care, not just for potential malpractice suits. D: While clear and concise documentation is essential, this choice does not specifically address the need for more frequent documentation for high-risk 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
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 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.