ELNEC Pallative Care Nursing. End of LIfe Nursing Education Consortium. Module 2:
Communication in Palliative Care. Section 2: Communication Techniques
Mr. G has just been told he has a serious illness. Which of the following statements reflects
respectful communication with him about his treatment and illness? Correct Answer: B "It is
important that we understand what your hopes are for your treatment of this illness."
You are teaching your colleagues about myths and realities of communication in palliative care.
Which is a correct statement about communication? Correct Answer: C "The majority of
messages we send are non-verbal."
You are helping a new member of the palliative care team understand the ways the behavior of
healthcare professionals can produce a communication barrier. Which statement by the team
member indicates the need for additional education on communication barriers? Correct Answer:
B "I will keep an emotional distance in order to maintain a professional relationship with
patients."
Jane, a 72-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease, tells you she thinks she doesn't want to
continue dialysis anymore. Which of the following would be your best response to this
statement? Correct Answer: C "That is a very important statement, can you tell me more about
that?"
You are speaking with the family of a patient recently diagnosed with end-stage heart failure.
How can you best demonstrate attentive listening? Correct Answer: D Use non-verbal signals
such as nodding one's head and eye contact.
An 85-year-old patient with end-stage heart disease arrives unconscious at the emergency
department after sustaining her third myocardial infarction. The physician has told the daughter
that without resuscitation, her mother could die today. You find the daughter crying by the
patient's bedside. Which intervention is most appropriate in communicating with this family
member? Correct Answer: C Remain present with the daughter, using silence to impart comfort.
You are entering a room to administer a medication to your patient and as you come in you find
that the three family members and the patient are all crying. What should you do next? Correct
Answer: C Remain silent to give permission to talk with you, holding off on the medication
initially.
You are working with Mr. T who has just been told his heart failure is getting worse. You go into
his room to see how he is doing after the team has shared this information with him. He is staring
out the window, looking sad. How do you start your conversation? Correct Answer: B "I saw
that the team was just here, can you tell me about their conversation with you?
Mr. S. has stage IV lung cancer and was admitted to your unit yesterday because of shortness of
breath. His breathing has improved with treatment and you tell him you are hoping to get to
know him better so you can provide the best care possible. Which of the following statements
Communication in Palliative Care. Section 2: Communication Techniques
Mr. G has just been told he has a serious illness. Which of the following statements reflects
respectful communication with him about his treatment and illness? Correct Answer: B "It is
important that we understand what your hopes are for your treatment of this illness."
You are teaching your colleagues about myths and realities of communication in palliative care.
Which is a correct statement about communication? Correct Answer: C "The majority of
messages we send are non-verbal."
You are helping a new member of the palliative care team understand the ways the behavior of
healthcare professionals can produce a communication barrier. Which statement by the team
member indicates the need for additional education on communication barriers? Correct Answer:
B "I will keep an emotional distance in order to maintain a professional relationship with
patients."
Jane, a 72-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease, tells you she thinks she doesn't want to
continue dialysis anymore. Which of the following would be your best response to this
statement? Correct Answer: C "That is a very important statement, can you tell me more about
that?"
You are speaking with the family of a patient recently diagnosed with end-stage heart failure.
How can you best demonstrate attentive listening? Correct Answer: D Use non-verbal signals
such as nodding one's head and eye contact.
An 85-year-old patient with end-stage heart disease arrives unconscious at the emergency
department after sustaining her third myocardial infarction. The physician has told the daughter
that without resuscitation, her mother could die today. You find the daughter crying by the
patient's bedside. Which intervention is most appropriate in communicating with this family
member? Correct Answer: C Remain present with the daughter, using silence to impart comfort.
You are entering a room to administer a medication to your patient and as you come in you find
that the three family members and the patient are all crying. What should you do next? Correct
Answer: C Remain silent to give permission to talk with you, holding off on the medication
initially.
You are working with Mr. T who has just been told his heart failure is getting worse. You go into
his room to see how he is doing after the team has shared this information with him. He is staring
out the window, looking sad. How do you start your conversation? Correct Answer: B "I saw
that the team was just here, can you tell me about their conversation with you?
Mr. S. has stage IV lung cancer and was admitted to your unit yesterday because of shortness of
breath. His breathing has improved with treatment and you tell him you are hoping to get to
know him better so you can provide the best care possible. Which of the following statements
