ATI RN
Communication in Nursing Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
When communicating with a hearing impaired patient, the nurse appropriately:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: uses short, simple sentences. This is the most appropriate approach because hearing-impaired patients may have difficulty processing complex information. Using short, simple sentences helps improve comprehension. Shouting repeatedly (choice A) can be distressing and ineffective. Speaking directly into the patient's ear (choice B) may be invasive and uncomfortable. Using long, complex sentences (choice C) can overwhelm the patient and lead to confusion. Therefore, option D is the best choice for effective communication with a hearing-impaired patient.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse cares for a patient with a terminal illness. Which way would be the most therapeutic for the nurse to communicate with this patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Demonstrate understanding with empathy. This approach is the most therapeutic as it shows the nurse's genuine care and support for the patient, fostering a sense of trust and emotional connection. By empathizing, the nurse validates the patient's feelings and provides comfort without judgment. A: Using an honest, judgmental attitude can be harmful and create a barrier in the nurse-patient relationship. C: Acknowledging hope by expressions of sympathy is important but may not address the patient's immediate emotional needs. D: Consistently evaluating the patient's feelings is important, but without demonstrating empathy, it may come across as clinical and detached. In summary, choice B is the best approach as it prioritizes empathy and understanding, essential components in providing effective therapeutic communication.
Question 3 of 9
The nurse sees that Mr. B (bladder cancer) has received docusate for the past 2 days. Which question is the nurse most likely to ask to evaluate the effectiveness of the docusate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Docusate is a stool softener commonly used to prevent constipation, which is a common side effect of opioid pain medications. By asking if the patient had a bowel movement today or yesterday, the nurse can evaluate the effectiveness of docusate in facilitating bowel movements. This question directly assesses the expected outcome of the medication. A: "Are you experiencing any burning with urination?" - This question is more relevant to urinary tract infections, not related to docusate use for constipation. C: "Has the medication helped to relieve the nausea?" - Docusate is not typically used to relieve nausea, so this question is not relevant to evaluating its effectiveness. D: "Were you able to sleep soundly the last couple of nights?" - This question is not directly related to the expected outcome of docusate in treating constipation.
Question 4 of 9
To convey the intervention of active listening, the nurse would:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because active listening involves making a conscious effort to block out other sounds in the immediate environment, demonstrating full focus on the speaker. This allows the nurse to truly understand the patient's perspective and feelings. Maintaining eye contact (A) is important but staring can be intimidating. Prompting the patient (B) may disrupt their train of thought. Writing down remarks (D) can be perceived as disengagement. In summary, active listening requires focused attention and empathy, which choice C exemplifies.
Question 5 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 response is B. Asking the patient to elaborate on what happened last night allows the nurse to gather more information about the situation, which is crucial for assessing the patient's sleep difficulties accurately. It shows active listening and empathy, building rapport and trust with the patient. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not address the patient's concerns effectively or gather relevant information to provide appropriate care. Option A makes an assumption without understanding the root cause of the sleep issue. Option C assumes the cause of sleep difficulty without exploring further. Option D dismisses the patient's concerns without providing support or understanding.
Question 6 of 9
The nurse cares for a patient who complains of back pain. Which question should the nurse ask to obtain specific information about the back pain?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because asking "What do you think caused the back pain?" allows the patient to provide specific details about the onset and potential triggers of the pain, aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning. Choice A is incorrect as it focuses on medication rather than gathering information. Choice B is too broad and may not directly address the back pain issue. Choice C is irrelevant to the immediate assessment of the back pain and does not provide specific information about the patient's current condition.
Question 7 of 9
The first-semester nursing student tells the team leader that her clinical assignment for the day is to take vital signs and obtain a client history that will take about 1 or 2 hours to complete. Which clients would the leader recommend that she approach to fulfill her assignment? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because Mr. L, who has a tracheostomy and partial laryngectomy, will likely require vital signs monitoring and a detailed client history due to his complex respiratory and communication needs. This assignment will provide the student with valuable experience in caring for clients with specialized needs. Incorrect choices: A: Mr. N (non-Hodgkin lymphoma) - While Mr. N may require vital signs monitoring, his condition does not necessarily involve complex care needs that would warrant a 1-2 hour history-taking session. C: Mr. B (bladder cancer) - Vital signs monitoring and history-taking for a client with bladder cancer may not require as much time as the scenario suggests, as the care needs may not be as complex as those of a client with a tracheostomy and laryngectomy. D: Ms. C (bowel resection and colostomy) - While Ms. C may require vital signs monitoring and history-taking
Question 8 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. Rationale: 1. Assertive communication is important to clearly express expectations and boundaries. 2. Being responsible conveys accountability and encourages the patient to take ownership of their care. 3. Caring communication fosters trust and empathy, crucial for building a therapeutic relationship. Summary: A: Authoritative communication may come across as controlling and may not promote patient cooperation. C: Aggressive communication can be intimidating and may lead to resistance rather than cooperation. D: Positive communication is beneficial, but being an expert alone may not address the patient's underlying issues or barriers to self-care.
Question 9 of 9
The nurse plans to delegate a client's personal hygiene to a nursing assistant. Which statement if made by the nurse to the nursing assistant is assertive?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C Rationale: 1. The statement in choice C is assertive because it clearly states the task, timeline, and expectation without being aggressive or demeaning. 2. It communicates the need for assistance with the client's bath and sets a clear priority. 3. It provides a specific instruction for the nursing assistant to assist the client immediately and then take a break. 4. This approach demonstrates effective delegation and ensures the client's needs are met promptly and respectfully. Summary: A: This choice is not assertive as it presents a conditional statement and implies a personal sacrifice by the nurse if the task is not completed. B: This choice is aggressive and threatening, which is not appropriate in a professional setting. D: This choice is directive but lacks consideration for the nursing assistant's well-being and does not communicate the urgency of the task for the client.