Overview of Communication
A patient asks, "Can I eat after the test?" The nurse responds, "Yes, after you are fully awake." Which communication element is correctly correlated to its example? Referent: The patient Channel: Nurse saying "Yes, after you are fully awake." Message: Patient asking "Can I eat after the test?" Sender: The nurse
Message: Patient asking "Can I eat after the test?"
Channel
Method of communication from the five senses
Match the element of communication to its description. Method of communication involving the five senses Person who decodes the message Person who encodes the message Event that starts communication
Method of communication involving the five senses - Channel Person who decodes the message - Receiver Person who encodes the message - Sender Event that starts communication - Referent
Which facial expression by the nurse would facilitate sharing of information from the patient? Neutral Surprised Smiling Grimacing
Neutral
Which aspects of communication are occurring when the patient frowns and points to an area of pain while the nurse is in the room? Select all that apply. Nonverbal communication Verbal communication Visual channels of communication Auditory channels of communication Gestures from the patient Intrapersonal communication
Nonverbal communication Visual channels of communication Gestures from the patient
Which example illustrates interprofessional communication? Nurse obtaining information from a patient Nurse talking to a family member Nurse discussing options with a dietitian Nurse answering the call light
Nurse discussing options with a dietitian
Match the type of communication with the appropriate scenario. Nurse is obtaining health history from a patient. Nurse is serving as an expert for a facility's social media platform. Nurse is facilitating a quality task force. Nurse feels confident by using meditation.
Nurse is obtaining health history from a patient. - interpersonal Nurse is serving as an expert for a facility's social media platform. - Public Nurse is facilitating a quality task force. - Small Group Nurse feels confident by using meditation. - intrapersonal
Which situations are examples of public communication? Select all that apply. Nurse facilitating group therapy for depressed patients Nurse teaching about high blood pressure at a health fair Nurse comforting the patient's partner after a vehicle accident Nurse offering advice to a large classroom of nursing students Nurse suggesting ways to decrease the risk for infection on television
Nurse teaching about high blood pressure at a health fair Nurse offering advice to a large classroom of nursing students Nurse suggesting ways to decrease the risk for infection on television
Which behavior occurs in the storming phase of small-group communication? Permitting ground rules to be set Encouraging all members to be involved Solving problems Addressing conflicts
Addressing conflicts
Which example demonstrates verbal communication used by a nurse? Furrowing eyebrows Changing voice inflection Charting a patient's vital signs Standing with arms uncrossed
Charting a patient's vital signs
Which area is affected when the health care provider tells the patient, "The MRI, the PET scan, and the CBC with differential were inconclusive"? Setting Context Content Charting
Content
Which statements are accurate about the communication process? Select all that apply. Feedback is important to ensure the correct interpretation of the message. A referent is what the receiver formulates when getting the message. Channels of communication can be delivered through all five senses. The message can be spoken, written, and/or nonverbal. The sender interprets the message.
Feedback is important to ensure the correct interpretation of the message. Channels of communication can be delivered through all five senses. The message can be spoken, written, and/or nonverbal.
Referent
Incident or thought that starts communication
Nurses take part in four primary types of professional communication:
Intrapersonal Interpersonal Small group Public or large group
When the nurse asks how a patient slept, the patient says, "Fine." Which component is the sender in this transaction? The nurse The patient Saying "fine" Asking about sleeping
The nurse
Which situation is an example of nonverbal communication? The patient states, "My left leg hurts." The patient writes a note to the nurse and family. The nurse asks if the patient has ever smoked cigarettes. The patient is grimacing and holding the abdomen.
The patient is grimacing and holding the abdomen.
Which characteristics are associated with voice inflection? Select all that apply. Tone Volume Facial changes Rate or rhythm Symbolic expression
Tone Volume Rate or rhythm
Which aspects of communication are exemplified when the patient telephones the nurse to ask about the next appointment? Select all that apply. Verbal communication is present. Nonverbal communication is present. Patient is sender. Nurse is sender. Public communication occurred. Interpersonal communication occurred.
Verbal communication is present. Patient is sender. Interpersonal communication occurred.
Which example is a type of nonverbal communication? Written word Spoken words Voice inflection Electronic communication
Voice inflection
Which nonverbal behavior would help a nurse who is speaking in public? Cross arms when questions are asked. Walk to the podium with confidence and intention. Touch every participant while walking to the stage. Say "That is a good point" to a participant who disagrees.
Walk to the podium with confidence and intention.
Which examples are associated with verbal communication? Select all that apply. Writing Emailing Blogging Texting Gesturing
Writing Emailing Blogging Texting
Which statements by the nurse indicate a correct understanding of nonverbal communication? Select all that apply. "Holding patients' hands when they are scared or worried is a technique for nonverbal communication." "Gestures are good to use when the patient is confused." "My professional appearance can communicate a message of caring." "I should keep my arms uncrossed to convey openness to the patient." "A patient's spouse interrupting and not allowing me to discuss health issues with the patient is a strong nonverbal signal."
"Holding patients' hands when they are scared or worried is a technique for nonverbal communication." "My professional appearance can communicate a message of caring." "I should keep my arms uncrossed to convey openness to the patient."
Which information is accurate about communication? Select all that apply. A receiver is essential for communication to occur. A sender decodes the message. Detecting body odor is using the olfactory channel. Verbal communication includes electronic interactions. Nonverbal communication can be exhibited by a person's clothes.
A receiver is essential for communication to occur. Detecting body odor is using the olfactory channel. Verbal communication includes electronic interactions. Nonverbal communication can be exhibited by a person's clothes.
Nonverbal communication takes place through (Phutela, 2015; Yoost, 2020):
Body language Voice inflection (considered nonverbal because it cannot be documented)
Message
Data or information that is communicated
Which situation is an example of public communication? Educating a class of older adults about vaccinations Speaking to the patient's family members in the hallway Writing a reflective journal to share with the therapist Teaching several family members wound care in the home
Educating a class of older adults about vaccinations
Requirements for public communication include:
Education about the subject presented Preparation to deliver the information Ability to handle and accept diverse views Communication skills that encourage acceptance and discussion, including advocacy skills Communication skills that display cultural competency to meet diversity needs Public speaking training (if the nurse wants to make public communication a career choice)
Match the element of the communication process with its example. Nurse tells patient that the procedure is tomorrow. Patient asks nurse when procedure will be performed. Patient reviews planner but does not see date for procedure. The patient
Nurse tells patient that the procedure is tomorrow. - Feedback Patient asks nurse when procedure will be performed. - Message Patient reviews planner but does not see date for procedure. - Referent The patient - Sender
Which example is a representation of the auditory channel in the communication process? Assessing urine for noxious odors Cleaning a patient Paying attention to the patient's breath sounds Observing the ears for bleeding
Paying attention to the patient's breath sounds
Which phase is the group experiencing when trying to resolve treatment for a patient's nonhealing wound? Norming Forming Storming Performing
Performing
Which phase of small-group communication is described when the group is very committed to a positive outcome? Forming Storming Norming Performing
Performing
Reciever
Person who obtains and decodes (interprets) the message
Sender
Person who starts or encodes (delivers) the message
Which examples are types of professional communication? Select all that apply. Public Intimate Small group Intrapersonal Interpersonal
Public Small group Intrapersonal Interpersonal
Feedback
Receiver's reaction or response to the message
Which element is first in the communication process? Referent Sender Message Channel
Referent
Which components are basic elements of the communication process? Select all that apply. Stance Referent Channel Feedback Posture
Referent Channel Feedback
Which aspect of voice inflection is reflected when the patient says, "I just can't . . . seem to . . . deal with . . . this"? Tone Volume Rhythm or rate Symbolic expression
Rhythm or rate
Match the communication aspect to its example. Saying "I can get through this" Internally saying "I can get through this" Nurse purposefully talking to patient Nurse using a quiet, soft voice
Saying "I can get through this" - Verbal communication Internally saying "I can get through this" - Positive Self Talk Nurse purposefully talking to patient - Formal Interpersonal communication Nurse using a quiet, soft voice - nonverbal communication
Which examples are types of intrapersonal communication? Select all that apply. Formal Informal Self-talk Meditation Conversational
Self-talk Meditation
Verbal communication is conveyed through:
Spoken words Written words Electronic interactions
Which phases are components of small-group communication? Select all that apply. Storming Norming Assessing Converging Arbitrating Performing
Storming Norming Preforming
