Chapter 1 - Caring for Medical-Surgical
Patients
A female patient who has recently been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor
asks the nurse, "Do you think God punishes us?" Which response demonstrates
therapeutic communication?
a. "What do you think?"
b. "God loves you."
c. "Would like to speak with the chaplain?"
d. "God will not give you more than you can bear." - ANS - ANS: A - "What do you
think?"
Sitting with the patient and offering oneself to listen to the patient's concerns and
encouraging reflection is the best approach rather than responding with a cliché
or suggesting speaking with the chaplain.
\A patient asks the nurse what Medicare Part A covers. Which response is
correct?
a. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital costs.
b. Medicare Part A covers reimbursement to the physician.
c. Medicare Part A covers outpatient hospital services.
d. Medicare Part A covers ambulance transportation. - ANS - ANS: A - Medicare
Part A covers inpatient hospital costs.
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital expenses, drugs, x-rays, laboratory
work, and intensive care. Medicare Part B pays the physician, ambulance
transport, and outpatient services.
\A patient furiously says, "My doctor was so busy giving me instructions that he
didn't hear what I was trying to ask him!" Which response is most empathetic?
, a. "When people ignore me, I really get mad."
b. "I'm sure that the doctor was rushed and unaware of your needs."
c. "I'll bet that made you feel very frustrated."
d. "Take a deep breath and plan what you will say to him tomorrow." - ANS - ANS:
C - "I'll bet that made you feel very frustrated."
Empathy demonstrates that the nurse perceives the patient's feelings but does
not share the emotion. Belittling the patient's feelings, showing sympathy, or
defending the doctor makes the patient feel devalued.
\According to most state NPAs, the vocational nurse acting as charge nurse in a
long-term care facility acts in which capacity?
a. Working under direct supervision of an RN on the unit
b. Working with the RN in the building
c. Working under general supervision by the RN available on site or by phone
d. Working as an independent vocational nurse - ANS - ANS: C - Working under
general supervision by the RN available on site or by phone
The vocational nurse in the capacity of the charge nurse in a long-term care
facility acts with the general supervision of an RN available on site or by phone.
\An overweight male patient rips off his hospital gown, throws it out the door, and
shouts, "I'm not wearing this stupid gown! It is too small, too short, and exposes
my backside to the world!" Which response is most appropriate?
a. Remind patient of the need to wear the gown for convenience in care.
b. Confer with the patient for methods to acquire a larger gown.
c. Replace the torn gown with another.
d. Inform the charge nurse of the hostile behavior. - ANS - ANS: B - Confer with
the patient for methods to acquire a larger gown.
Patients
A female patient who has recently been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor
asks the nurse, "Do you think God punishes us?" Which response demonstrates
therapeutic communication?
a. "What do you think?"
b. "God loves you."
c. "Would like to speak with the chaplain?"
d. "God will not give you more than you can bear." - ANS - ANS: A - "What do you
think?"
Sitting with the patient and offering oneself to listen to the patient's concerns and
encouraging reflection is the best approach rather than responding with a cliché
or suggesting speaking with the chaplain.
\A patient asks the nurse what Medicare Part A covers. Which response is
correct?
a. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital costs.
b. Medicare Part A covers reimbursement to the physician.
c. Medicare Part A covers outpatient hospital services.
d. Medicare Part A covers ambulance transportation. - ANS - ANS: A - Medicare
Part A covers inpatient hospital costs.
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital expenses, drugs, x-rays, laboratory
work, and intensive care. Medicare Part B pays the physician, ambulance
transport, and outpatient services.
\A patient furiously says, "My doctor was so busy giving me instructions that he
didn't hear what I was trying to ask him!" Which response is most empathetic?
, a. "When people ignore me, I really get mad."
b. "I'm sure that the doctor was rushed and unaware of your needs."
c. "I'll bet that made you feel very frustrated."
d. "Take a deep breath and plan what you will say to him tomorrow." - ANS - ANS:
C - "I'll bet that made you feel very frustrated."
Empathy demonstrates that the nurse perceives the patient's feelings but does
not share the emotion. Belittling the patient's feelings, showing sympathy, or
defending the doctor makes the patient feel devalued.
\According to most state NPAs, the vocational nurse acting as charge nurse in a
long-term care facility acts in which capacity?
a. Working under direct supervision of an RN on the unit
b. Working with the RN in the building
c. Working under general supervision by the RN available on site or by phone
d. Working as an independent vocational nurse - ANS - ANS: C - Working under
general supervision by the RN available on site or by phone
The vocational nurse in the capacity of the charge nurse in a long-term care
facility acts with the general supervision of an RN available on site or by phone.
\An overweight male patient rips off his hospital gown, throws it out the door, and
shouts, "I'm not wearing this stupid gown! It is too small, too short, and exposes
my backside to the world!" Which response is most appropriate?
a. Remind patient of the need to wear the gown for convenience in care.
b. Confer with the patient for methods to acquire a larger gown.
c. Replace the torn gown with another.
d. Inform the charge nurse of the hostile behavior. - ANS - ANS: B - Confer with
the patient for methods to acquire a larger gown.
