Fundamentals of Nursing, Communication
Questions With All Correct Answers
What phase of the therapeutic relationship is characterized by gathering
information before meeting the client? correct answer -Phase 1 - Pre-
Interaction phase
What phase of the therapeutic relationship is characterized by meeting clients,
making conversation, and establishing rapport? correct 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? correct answer -Phase 3 - Working phase
What phase of the therapeutic relationship is characterized by finding healthy
ways to conclude a relationship? correct 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. correct 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 correct 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" correct 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. correct 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 correct 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. correct
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."
correct 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. correct 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 correct 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.
Questions With All Correct Answers
What phase of the therapeutic relationship is characterized by gathering
information before meeting the client? correct answer -Phase 1 - Pre-
Interaction phase
What phase of the therapeutic relationship is characterized by meeting clients,
making conversation, and establishing rapport? correct 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? correct answer -Phase 3 - Working phase
What phase of the therapeutic relationship is characterized by finding healthy
ways to conclude a relationship? correct 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. correct 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 correct 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" correct 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. correct 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 correct 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. correct
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."
correct 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. correct 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 correct 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.
