PrepU Chapter 8: Communication

A nurse is obtaining a history from an adult female client. When the nurse asks how many times the client has been pregnant, the client answers, "I have four kids." Which statement, made by the nurse, seeks clarification of the original question?

"I understand you have four kids; how many times have you actually been pregnant?"

The nurse is communicating with a client following a routine physical examination. Which statement best demonstrates summarization of the appointment?

"We reviewed your plans for your new diet and medications. Do you have any other questions?"

A nurse is communicating the plan of care for a client who is unconscious. Which nursing actions best facilitate this process? Select all that apply.

* The nurse is careful what is said in the client's presence because hearing is the last sense to go. * The nurse assumes the client can hear and discusses things that would ordinarily be discussed. * The nurse speaks with the client before touching the client.

The nurse interviews a client during which step of the nursing process?

Assessing

During an assessment of a newly admitted client the nurse asks the client many questions. The nurse begins the assessment by asking, "How many times have you been hospitalized this year for your back pain?" This is an example of which type of question?

Closed question

A family has lost a member who was treated for leukemia at a nursing unit. The nurse provides emotional support to the family and counsels them to cope with their loss. Which quality should the nurse use in this situation?

Empathy

The nurse is communicating with a client who begins to cry. The nurse places a hand on the client's arm and sits quietly at the client's beside. What mode of communication is the nurse using to offer caring and comfort for the client?

Kinesthetic

When caring for a psychiatric client, a nurse would make a formal contract with the client during which phase of the nurse-client relationship?

Orientation phase

The nurse is reporting to an oncoming nurse about the care of a client using the SBAR format. The nurse informs the oncoming nurse that the client should continue to have neurolgoical checks every 2 hours and the nurse should report any alterations to the health care provider. In which section should this information be relayed?

Recommendation

The client recently immigrated from Mumbai, India. The client was just admitted to the nurse's unit postoperatively following gallstone removal. The client does not speak the dominant language. When using the hospital's interpretive services, which is most important?

Speak directly to the client.

Which technique would a nurse employ when using listening skills appropriately when interviewing a client?

The nurse would listen to the themes in the client's comments.

A nurse is providing care to a 3-year-old child admitted with a diagnosis of infectious diarrhea. The nurse needs to insert an intravenous catheter in order to administer prescribed intravenous fluids. In an attempt to foster communication, the nurse should:

involve the child's stuffed animal in the educational session.

A nurse is caring for an older adult client hospitalized following a hip fracture. Which actions by the nurse will promote the development of a therapeutic relationship? Select all that apply.

* Asking the client when the client would like to have the bed linens changed * Encouraging the client to talk about the client's life

A nurse has developed strong rapport with the spouse of a client who has been receiving rehabilitation following a debilitating stroke. The spouse has just been informed that the client is unlikely to return home and requires care that can only be provided in a facility with constant nursing care. The client's spouse tells the nurse, "I can't believe it's come to this." How should the nurse best respond?

"This must be very difficult for you to hear. How do you feel right now?"

The nurse is collecting health data and avoids using closed-ended questions. Which are examples of closed-ended questions? Select all that apply.

* "Are you ready to get out of bed?" * "Do you smoke cigarettes?" * "Is there any chance you might be pregnant?" * "Does it hurt when I touch you here?"

A client in a mental health unit discusses personal thoughts and feelings with the nurse. The nurse can maintain the circle of confidentiality when reporting this information to which individuals? Select all that apply.

* The client's physician * The nurse from the oncoming shift * The unit's mental health technicians

A dialysis nurse is educating a client on caring for the dialysis access that was inserted into the client's right arm. The nurse assesses the client's fears and concerns related to dialysis, the dialysis access, and care of the access. This information is taught over several sessions during the course of the client's hospitalization. Which phase of the working relationship is best described in this scenario?

The working phase

To provide effective nursing care, the nurse should engage in what type of communication with the client and significant others?

Therapeutic communication

A nurse is caring for a client who sustained head trauma. The client is in a medically induced coma and on mechanical ventilation. The client's mother is at the bedside in tears. The mother states, "I just want him to know I am here with him." To address the needs of the mother and the client, the nurse should:

place a chair next to the bed and encourage the mother to hold the son's hand

A nurse is caring for a client who presents with a skin infection. While obtaining the client's medical history, it is determined that the client is an intravenous drug user. To foster effective communication, the nurse should:

remain honest, open, and frank.

The nurse is performing an admission interview with a new client diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome. For the nurse to obtain information and allow the client free verbalization, which question would elicit the most information?

"Could you tell me more about how you are feeling right now?"

A nurse is caring for a client who is newly diagnosed with terminal cancer. The nurse enters the client's room and finds the client sitting in the dark crying. Which statement conveys empathy by the nurse?

"I know this is hard for you. Is there any way I can help?"

The client is talking to the nurse about recent health problems of immediate family members and the strain the client has been under trying to care for them. The client begins to cry. What response by the nurse demonstrates the most empathy?

"Just take your time. I am listening."

A nurse is caring for a client experiencing biliary colic from uncomplicated cholelithiasis. The client asks, "My doctor says I should have surgery to remove my gallbladder. Do you think it is really necessary?" What is the nurse's best response?

"Share with me the advantages and disadvantages of your options as you see them."

A nurse is assessing vital signs on a pregnant client during a routine prenatal visit. The client states, "I know labor will be so painful, it sounds awful. I am sure I will not be able to stand the pain; I really dread going into labor." What is the best response from the nurse?

"You're worried about how you will tolerate the pain associated with labor."

While assessing a client, the nurse notices that the client seems to be distracted from the questions being asked. The nurse attempts to identify factors that may be affecting the communication. What would the nurse identify as an internal influencing factor?

Experience

A nurse is attempting to complete an admission database. While taking the history, the nurse notices the client appears uncomfortable and slightly tachypneic. The nurse should:

allow the client to set the pace.

A nurse is on lunch break in the hospital cafeteria and sits at a table near a group of physicians eating their lunch. One of the physicians, who is in charge of the nurse's clients, points at the nurse and states, "That guy needs to get fired." The best response by the nurse would be to:

ask to speak to the physician in private and address the disrespectful remark.

A nurse is preparing to enter a client's room to perform wound care. The shift report revealed that this client has a tunneling wound in the sacral area that cannot be staged. The wound was also documented as having a foul odor. The nurse is nervous because the nurse has not performed wound care on a complex wound in the past. Using effective intrapersonal communication, this nurse should:

tell oneself to "remain calm" and remember that the nurse was trained to perform this skill.