BSN235 – Nursing Communication
and Informatics Fall Semester, 2026
Final Examination
1. Which type of communication includes body language, facial
expressions, and eye contact?
a) Verbal communication
b) Nonverbal communication
c) Written communication
d) Electronic communication
Answer: b) Nonverbal communication
2. A nurse tells a patient, "I understand you are frustrated." This is
an example of:
a) False reassurance
b) Empathy
c) Sympathy
d) Criticism
Answer: b) Empathy
3. Which communication technique involves restating the
patient's message in the nurse's own words?
a) Reflecting
b) Paraphrasing
,c) Clarifying
d) Summarizing
Answer: b) Paraphrasing
4. A patient states, "I don't want to take this medication." The
nurse responds, "Tell me more about your concerns." This is an
example of:
a) Closed-ended question
b) Open-ended question
c) False reassurance
d) Changing the subject
Answer: b) Open-ended question
5. Which communication barrier occurs when a nurse tells a
patient, "Everything will be fine" without knowing the outcome?
a) False reassurance
b) Empathy
c) Therapeutic silence
d) Active listening
Answer: a) False reassurance
6. The SBAR tool is used for handoff communication. What does
"S" stand for?
a) Summary
b) Situation
c) Safety
d) Symptoms
Answer: b) Situation
,7. In the SBAR communication tool, what does the 'B' stand for?
a) Behavior
b) Background
c) Beliefs
d) Boundary
Answer: b) Background
8. When using the SBAR communication tool, which component
involves the nurse providing their opinion on what should happen
next?
a) Situation
b) Recommendation
c) Assessment
d) Background
Answer: b) Recommendation
9. A nurse is using ISBAR to report a change in a patient's
condition. What does the 'S' stand for?
a) Summary
b) Situation
c) Security
d) Standardization
Answer: b) Situation
10. A nurse is reporting a patient's 'Background' using ISBAR.
What should be included?
a) Medical history and relevant medications
b) The patient's name and room number
c) Current vital signs and mental status
d) A recommendation for a specific treatment
, Answer: a) Medical history and relevant medications
11. A nurse is caring for a patient who speaks a different
language. What is the preferred method of communication?
a) Use a family member as interpreter
b) Use a trained medical interpreter
c) Speak louder in English
d) Use gestures only
Answer: b) Use a trained medical interpreter
12. Which is a key component of active listening?
a) Interrupting to clarify quickly
b) Planning your response while the patient speaks
c) Maintaining eye contact and nodding appropriately
d) Taking notes without looking at the patient
Answer: c) Maintaining eye contact and nodding appropriately
13. A nurse says to a patient, "You seem anxious today." This is an
example of:
a) Making an observation/Stating the observed
b) Offering false reassurance
c) Giving advice
d) Using a closed-ended question
Answer: a) Making an observation/Stating the observed
14. In problem solving, the head nurse must know what is the
MAJOR characteristic of effective communication? (Context from
Course Hero)
a) Clarity and conciseness in message delivery
b) Frequent use of medical jargon to ensure precision
and Informatics Fall Semester, 2026
Final Examination
1. Which type of communication includes body language, facial
expressions, and eye contact?
a) Verbal communication
b) Nonverbal communication
c) Written communication
d) Electronic communication
Answer: b) Nonverbal communication
2. A nurse tells a patient, "I understand you are frustrated." This is
an example of:
a) False reassurance
b) Empathy
c) Sympathy
d) Criticism
Answer: b) Empathy
3. Which communication technique involves restating the
patient's message in the nurse's own words?
a) Reflecting
b) Paraphrasing
,c) Clarifying
d) Summarizing
Answer: b) Paraphrasing
4. A patient states, "I don't want to take this medication." The
nurse responds, "Tell me more about your concerns." This is an
example of:
a) Closed-ended question
b) Open-ended question
c) False reassurance
d) Changing the subject
Answer: b) Open-ended question
5. Which communication barrier occurs when a nurse tells a
patient, "Everything will be fine" without knowing the outcome?
a) False reassurance
b) Empathy
c) Therapeutic silence
d) Active listening
Answer: a) False reassurance
6. The SBAR tool is used for handoff communication. What does
"S" stand for?
a) Summary
b) Situation
c) Safety
d) Symptoms
Answer: b) Situation
,7. In the SBAR communication tool, what does the 'B' stand for?
a) Behavior
b) Background
c) Beliefs
d) Boundary
Answer: b) Background
8. When using the SBAR communication tool, which component
involves the nurse providing their opinion on what should happen
next?
a) Situation
b) Recommendation
c) Assessment
d) Background
Answer: b) Recommendation
9. A nurse is using ISBAR to report a change in a patient's
condition. What does the 'S' stand for?
a) Summary
b) Situation
c) Security
d) Standardization
Answer: b) Situation
10. A nurse is reporting a patient's 'Background' using ISBAR.
What should be included?
a) Medical history and relevant medications
b) The patient's name and room number
c) Current vital signs and mental status
d) A recommendation for a specific treatment
, Answer: a) Medical history and relevant medications
11. A nurse is caring for a patient who speaks a different
language. What is the preferred method of communication?
a) Use a family member as interpreter
b) Use a trained medical interpreter
c) Speak louder in English
d) Use gestures only
Answer: b) Use a trained medical interpreter
12. Which is a key component of active listening?
a) Interrupting to clarify quickly
b) Planning your response while the patient speaks
c) Maintaining eye contact and nodding appropriately
d) Taking notes without looking at the patient
Answer: c) Maintaining eye contact and nodding appropriately
13. A nurse says to a patient, "You seem anxious today." This is an
example of:
a) Making an observation/Stating the observed
b) Offering false reassurance
c) Giving advice
d) Using a closed-ended question
Answer: a) Making an observation/Stating the observed
14. In problem solving, the head nurse must know what is the
MAJOR characteristic of effective communication? (Context from
Course Hero)
a) Clarity and conciseness in message delivery
b) Frequent use of medical jargon to ensure precision
