Test Bank for Communication in Nursing 10th Edition by Julia
Balzer Riley 9780323871457 Chapter 1-30 Complete Guide.
What phase of the therapeutic relationship is characterized by gathering information before meeting
the client? - ANSWER: Phase 1 - Pre-Interaction phase
What phase of the therapeutic relationship is characterized by meeting clients, making conversation,
and establishing rapport? - ANSWER: Phase 2 - Orientation phase
What phase of the therapeutic relationship is characterized using techniques related to therapeutic
communication and allowing the client to clarify any concerns? - ANSWER: Phase 3 - Working phase
What phase of the therapeutic relationship is characterized by finding healthy ways to conclude a
relationship? - ANSWER: Phase 4 - Termination phase
The main purpose of the working phase of a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship is to:
1. Establish a formal or informal contract that addresses the patients problems
2. Implement nursing interventions designed to achieve expected patient outcomes.
3. Develop rapport and trust so the patient feels protected and an initial care plan can be identified
4. Clearly identify the role of the nurse and establish parameters of the professional relationship. -
ANSWER: 2. During the working phase of the therapeutic relationship, nursing interventions have a
two fold purpose: assisting patients to explore and understand their thoughts and feelings and
supporting patient decisions and actions.
The nurse uses reflective technique when communicating with an anxious patient. The nurse uses
reflective technique in this situation because it focuses on:
1. Feelings
2. Content themes
3. Clarification of information
4. Summarization of the topics discussed - ANSWER: 1. The reflective technique requires active
listening to identify the underlying emotional concerns or feelings contained in a patient's messages.
These feelings are then referred back to the patients to promote a clearer understanding of what they
have said.
A patient says, "I don't know if I'll make it through this surgery." Which response by the nurse may
block further communication by the patient?
1."You sound scared"
2."You think you will die"
3."Surgery can be frightening"
4."Everything will be alright" - ANSWER: 4. This response is false reassurance. It denies the patient's
concerns about survival and does not invite the patient to elaborate.
The patient states "My wife is going to be very upset that my prostate surgery probably is going to
leave me impotent." What is the best response by the nurse?
1.I'm sure your wife will be willing to make the sacrifice in exchange for your well-being
2.The doctors are getting great results with nerve-sparing surgery today.
3.Your wife may not put as much emphasis on sex as you think.
4.Let's talk about how you feel about this surgery. - ANSWER: 4. The patient may be using projection
to cope with the potential for impotence. This response indicates that it is acceptable to talk about
sexuality and invites the patient to verbalize concerns.
The patient states " I think that I am dying" The nurse responds, "You feel as though you are dying?".
What interview approach did the nurse use?
1.Focusing
, 2. Reflecting
3.Validating
4. Paraphrasing - ANSWER: 4. The nurses response is an example of paraphrasing because it uses
similar words to restate the patients message.
The nurse plans to foster a therapeutic relationship with a patient. It is most important that the nurse:
1. Works on establishing a friendship with the patient.
2. Use humor to defuse emotionally charged topics of discussion.
3. Sympathize with the patient when the patient shares sad feelings.
4. Demonstrate respect when discussing emotionally charged topics. - ANSWER: 4. Emotionally
charged topics should be approached with respectful, sincere, interactions that are accepting and
non-judgmental, which will promote further verbalization.
A patient who is to receive nothing by mouth (NPO) in preparation for a bronchoscopy says,"I am
worried about the test and I can't even have a drink of water." What is the best response by the
nurse?
1. "Lets talk about your concerns regarding this test."
2. "I'll see if the doctor will let you have some ice chips"
3. "The doctor will review the results of the test as soon as possible."
4. As soon as the test is over I'll get you whatever you would like to drink." - ANSWER: 1. This
response encourages the patient to explore concerns. Verbalization of concerns, validating of feelings,
and patient teaching may help reduce anxiety.
A patient verbally communicates with the nurse while exhibiting nonverbal behavior. To confirm the
meaning of the nonverbal behavior, the nurse should:
1. Look for similarity in meaning between the patient's verbal and nonverbal behavior.
2. Ask family members to help interpret the patient's behavior.
3. Validate inferences by asking patient questions.
4. Recognize that what the patient says is most important. - ANSWER: 1. The patient is the primary
source of information. When nonverbal communication reinforces the verbal message, the message
reflects the true feelings of the patient because non verbal behavior is under less conscious control
than verbal statements.
The patient appears tearful and is quiet and withdrawn. The nurse says, "You seem very sad today."
What interviewing approach did the nurse use?
1.Examining
2.Reflecting
3.Clarifying
4.Orienting - ANSWER: 2. Reflective technique refers to feelings implied in the content of verbal
communication or in exhibited nonverbal behaviors. Patients who are crying, quiet and withdrawn are
often sad.
The nursing action that best reflects the concept of therapeutic communication is:
1. Using interviewing skills to discuss the patients concerns
2. Letting the patient control the focus of the conversation
3. Setting time aside to talk with the patient
4. Agreeing with the patient's statements. - ANSWER: 1. Therapeutic communication is patient-
centered and goal-directed. It facilitates the exploration of the patient's thoughts and feelings and
helps to establish a constructive relationship between the nurse and patient.
The nurse is attempting to develop a helping relationship with a patient who was recently diagnosed
with cancer. The nurse understands that a factor that is unique to this helping relationship is that it is:
1. Characterized by allowing the patient to take the dominant role.
2. Distinguished by an equal sharing of information.
3. Specific to a person while guided by a purpose
Balzer Riley 9780323871457 Chapter 1-30 Complete Guide.
What phase of the therapeutic relationship is characterized by gathering information before meeting
the client? - ANSWER: Phase 1 - Pre-Interaction phase
What phase of the therapeutic relationship is characterized by meeting clients, making conversation,
and establishing rapport? - ANSWER: Phase 2 - Orientation phase
What phase of the therapeutic relationship is characterized using techniques related to therapeutic
communication and allowing the client to clarify any concerns? - ANSWER: Phase 3 - Working phase
What phase of the therapeutic relationship is characterized by finding healthy ways to conclude a
relationship? - ANSWER: Phase 4 - Termination phase
The main purpose of the working phase of a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship is to:
1. Establish a formal or informal contract that addresses the patients problems
2. Implement nursing interventions designed to achieve expected patient outcomes.
3. Develop rapport and trust so the patient feels protected and an initial care plan can be identified
4. Clearly identify the role of the nurse and establish parameters of the professional relationship. -
ANSWER: 2. During the working phase of the therapeutic relationship, nursing interventions have a
two fold purpose: assisting patients to explore and understand their thoughts and feelings and
supporting patient decisions and actions.
The nurse uses reflective technique when communicating with an anxious patient. The nurse uses
reflective technique in this situation because it focuses on:
1. Feelings
2. Content themes
3. Clarification of information
4. Summarization of the topics discussed - ANSWER: 1. The reflective technique requires active
listening to identify the underlying emotional concerns or feelings contained in a patient's messages.
These feelings are then referred back to the patients to promote a clearer understanding of what they
have said.
A patient says, "I don't know if I'll make it through this surgery." Which response by the nurse may
block further communication by the patient?
1."You sound scared"
2."You think you will die"
3."Surgery can be frightening"
4."Everything will be alright" - ANSWER: 4. This response is false reassurance. It denies the patient's
concerns about survival and does not invite the patient to elaborate.
The patient states "My wife is going to be very upset that my prostate surgery probably is going to
leave me impotent." What is the best response by the nurse?
1.I'm sure your wife will be willing to make the sacrifice in exchange for your well-being
2.The doctors are getting great results with nerve-sparing surgery today.
3.Your wife may not put as much emphasis on sex as you think.
4.Let's talk about how you feel about this surgery. - ANSWER: 4. The patient may be using projection
to cope with the potential for impotence. This response indicates that it is acceptable to talk about
sexuality and invites the patient to verbalize concerns.
The patient states " I think that I am dying" The nurse responds, "You feel as though you are dying?".
What interview approach did the nurse use?
1.Focusing
, 2. Reflecting
3.Validating
4. Paraphrasing - ANSWER: 4. The nurses response is an example of paraphrasing because it uses
similar words to restate the patients message.
The nurse plans to foster a therapeutic relationship with a patient. It is most important that the nurse:
1. Works on establishing a friendship with the patient.
2. Use humor to defuse emotionally charged topics of discussion.
3. Sympathize with the patient when the patient shares sad feelings.
4. Demonstrate respect when discussing emotionally charged topics. - ANSWER: 4. Emotionally
charged topics should be approached with respectful, sincere, interactions that are accepting and
non-judgmental, which will promote further verbalization.
A patient who is to receive nothing by mouth (NPO) in preparation for a bronchoscopy says,"I am
worried about the test and I can't even have a drink of water." What is the best response by the
nurse?
1. "Lets talk about your concerns regarding this test."
2. "I'll see if the doctor will let you have some ice chips"
3. "The doctor will review the results of the test as soon as possible."
4. As soon as the test is over I'll get you whatever you would like to drink." - ANSWER: 1. This
response encourages the patient to explore concerns. Verbalization of concerns, validating of feelings,
and patient teaching may help reduce anxiety.
A patient verbally communicates with the nurse while exhibiting nonverbal behavior. To confirm the
meaning of the nonverbal behavior, the nurse should:
1. Look for similarity in meaning between the patient's verbal and nonverbal behavior.
2. Ask family members to help interpret the patient's behavior.
3. Validate inferences by asking patient questions.
4. Recognize that what the patient says is most important. - ANSWER: 1. The patient is the primary
source of information. When nonverbal communication reinforces the verbal message, the message
reflects the true feelings of the patient because non verbal behavior is under less conscious control
than verbal statements.
The patient appears tearful and is quiet and withdrawn. The nurse says, "You seem very sad today."
What interviewing approach did the nurse use?
1.Examining
2.Reflecting
3.Clarifying
4.Orienting - ANSWER: 2. Reflective technique refers to feelings implied in the content of verbal
communication or in exhibited nonverbal behaviors. Patients who are crying, quiet and withdrawn are
often sad.
The nursing action that best reflects the concept of therapeutic communication is:
1. Using interviewing skills to discuss the patients concerns
2. Letting the patient control the focus of the conversation
3. Setting time aside to talk with the patient
4. Agreeing with the patient's statements. - ANSWER: 1. Therapeutic communication is patient-
centered and goal-directed. It facilitates the exploration of the patient's thoughts and feelings and
helps to establish a constructive relationship between the nurse and patient.
The nurse is attempting to develop a helping relationship with a patient who was recently diagnosed
with cancer. The nurse understands that a factor that is unique to this helping relationship is that it is:
1. Characterized by allowing the patient to take the dominant role.
2. Distinguished by an equal sharing of information.
3. Specific to a person while guided by a purpose
