Chapter 8 - Communication

A client was recently diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. The nurse finds the client crying in the room. Which statement made by the nurse best demonstrates the use of empathy? "I am sorry to hear you have cancer. I would be upset too, is there anything I can do?" "I see you are upset. Would you like to talk?" "I see you have been crying. Do you want me to call someone for you?" "Don't worry, I have seen lots of people with cancer do fine."

"I see you are upset. Would you like to talk?"

A client with a cardiac dysrhythmia was recently prescribed metoprolol and is at a follow-up appointment at the cardiologist's office. The client tells the nurse, "I feel depressed, tired, and I have no desire to exercise." To determine a cause-and-effect relationship, the nurse should ask: "Do you check your blood pressure and pulse before you take your medication?" "Have you tried exercising at all in the last week or two?" "Were you tired and depressed before starting the new medication?" "Tell me about the foods you are eating."

"Were you tired and depressed before starting the new medication?"

During an admission intake assessment, a nurse uses open-ended questions to gather information. An example of an open-ended question is: "Are you allergic to any medications?" "Can you tell me the medications you take on a daily basis?" "Do you have an advanced directive or a living will?" "What did your health care provider tell you about your need to be admitted?"

"What did your health care provider tell you about your need to be admitted?"

When assessing a client's nonverbal communication, the nurse should assess which aspect as being the most expressive? Facial expressions Posture Hand gestures Eye contact

Facial expressions

The client is an 18-month-old in the pediatric intensive care unit. The client is scheduled to have a subgaleal shunt placed tomorrow, and the client's mother is quite nervous about the procedure. The nurse tells the client's mother, "The surgeon has done this a million times. Your son will be fine." This is an example of what type of nontherapeutic communication? Rescue feelings False reassurance Giving advice Being moralistic

False reassurance

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 parent is at the bedside in tears. The parent states, "I just want my child to know I am here." To address the needs of the parent and the client, what would be the nurse's most appropriate response? Place a chair next to the bed and encourage the parent to hold the client's hand. Place the client's hand on the parent's hand and reassure the parent that things will be fine. Place a chair next to the bed and then leave the room to allow the parent to grieve. Encourage the parent to bring in pictures of the family that can be displayed in the room.

Place a chair next to the bed and encourage the parent to hold the client's hand.

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 The introduction phase The orientation phase The termination phase

The working phase

When communicating with a client, the nurse uses reflection for which purpose? To have the client elaborate on thoughts and feelings To determine the sequence of events in the conversation To investigate the situation to help problem solve To keep the client on the topic of concern

To have the client elaborate on thoughts and feelings

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: ask questions as quickly as possible. use only open-ended questions. tell the client to rest and allow a family member to answer. allow the client to set the pace.

allow the client to set the pace.

A nurse is caring for an older adult client hospitalized following a hip fracture. Which action(s) by the nurse will promote the development of a therapeutic relationship? Select all that apply. talking with another nurse during a bedside change of shift report addressing the client by the client's first name asking the client when the client would like to have the bed linens changed encouraging the client to talk about the client's life assisting the client with the completion of all activities of daily living

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 who is preparing to administer an injection to the client states, "This injection will not be painful." The nurse has used which communication technique? Giving false reassurance Seeking clarification Giving information Encouraging elaboration

Giving false reassurance

The nurse is providing care to an older adult client who has visual and hearing deficits. What action by the nurse is appropriate to help with communication? Remove the COVID protection face mask while speaking with the client. Speak in a loud voice over the volume of the television set. Identify oneself by name and title with each entry into the client's room. Obtain the client's attention by calling out the client's first name.

Identify oneself by name and title with each entry into the client's room.

The newly hired nurse is collecting assessment data for an upcoming surgical procedure from a client who speaks the dominant language as a second language. Which statement or question made by the newly hired nurse would indicate to the nurse manager that intervention is needed? "Do you have any questions about your cholecystectomy?" "You are scheduled for surgery 4 hours from now." "I will need to draw blood from you before the operation." "Can you remove your ring, or do you need help?"

"Do you have any questions about your cholecystectomy?" - big medical words are terrible when it comes to a second language

A nurse is asking a colleague about a situation. Which response best demonstrates assertive communication? "Why are you treating me this way?" "You always act like this." "I think there is a better way to handle this." "What is your problem with me?"

"I think there is a better way to handle this."

Which is a skill appropriate to use in therapeutic communication? Control the tone of the voice to avoid hidden messages. Avoid the use of periods of silence. Use cliches to enhance a client's understanding of information. Be precise and inflexible regarding the intent of the conversation.

Control the tone of the voice to avoid hidden messages.

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: ask the child's parents to leave the room while the nurse and child talk. involve the child's stuffed animal in the educational session. provide both verbal and written information to the child. show the child the intravenous catheter and explain how it works.

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