Chapter 3: Interviewing and Communication

A clinic nurse has reviewed a new client's available health record and will now begin taking the client's health history. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask first when obtaining the health history?

"What is your major health concern at this time?"

On a very busy day in the health care provider's office, Mrs. Donelan, age 81 years, comes for her usual visit to check her blood pressure. She has been on a low-dose diuretic for many years and denies any side effects. Today, her blood pressure is 118/78, which is well controlled. The client mentions that it is hard not having her husband Bill around anymore. What would the nurse do next?

Ask why Bill is not there.

When beginning the collection of the client data base, which of the following would be most important for the nurse to do?

Establish a trusting relationship

A nurse is preparing to assess a client who is new to the clinic. When beginning the collection of the client's data, which of the following actions should the nurse prioritize?

Establishing a trusting relationship

Which action should a nurse implement when assessing a nonnative client to facilitate collection of subjective data?

Maintain a professional distance during assessment.

Nonverbal communication is a very important aspect in nurse-client relationships. What can the nurse do to help gain trust in clients? Select all that apply.

Make sure that dress and appearance are professional Do not use facial expressions such as rolling the eyes or looking bored or disgusted Use gestures intentionally to illustrate points, especially for clients who cannot communicate verbally

The nurse is conducting a client interview and responds to the client in a way that encourages the client to more completely describe his or her problems. What is this called?

Promoting elaboration

A nurse is admitting a new client. The client is lying in bed. Where should the nurse be positioned?

Seated in a chair at eye level with the client

A student nurse is conducting her first client interview. The student suddenly draws a blank on what to ask the client next. What is a useful interview technique for the student to use at this point?

Summarization

During the interview process, the nurse uses both open-ended and closed-ended questions. During what phase of the interview process does the nurse use these specific types of questions?

Working

The nurse is beginning a health history interview with an adult client who expresses anger at the nurse. The best approach for dealing with an angry client is for the nurse to

allow the client to verbalize his or her feelings.

The nurse has completed collecting primary data and is finishing a health history for a newly admitted client on the medical-surgical unit. Which statement best reflects primary data?

information exclusively provided by the client

The nurse is reviewing the medical record before meeting a new client. In which phase of the interview process is the nurse working?

pre-interview

A nurse is conducting a review of systems with a client and is asking about his ears. The nurse asks, "Do you have any problems with your ears or your hearing?" The client stares blankly at the nurse a moment and then says, "I'm sorry—could you repeat that?" The nurse repeats the question, to which the client replies, "No." The nurse then asks, "Do you ever experience any trouble hearing or any ringing, buzzing, or earaches?" The client responds, "No." What should the nurse record under "Ears" in the review of systems section of the client's health history?

"Denies any trouble hearing or any ringing, buzzing, or earaches."

A nurse is discussing with a client the client's personal health history. Which of the following would be an appropriate question to ask at this time?

"What diseases did you have as a child?"

Which of the following questions is most useful in the assessment of a client's diabetes management?

"What is your routine for checking your blood sugar these days?"

The nurse is conducting an initial interview with a client. During the introductory phase, it is essential that the nurse perform which of the following actions? Select all that apply.

Build rapport. Provide a comfortable environment. Explain the purpose of the interview. Ensure confidentiality.

A client admitted to the health care facility for new onset of abdominal pain expresses to the nurse that she was treated for gastroesophageal reflux disease in the past. In which section of the comprehensive health assessment should the nurse document this information?

Personal health history