Sherpath Chapter 3 - Communication: Overview of Communication
Which statements by the nurse indicate a correct understanding of nonverbal communication? Select all that apply. A. "Holding patients' hands when they are scared or worried is a technique for nonverbal communication." B. "Gestures are good to use when the patient is confused." C. "My professional appearance can communicate a message of caring." D. "I should keep my arms uncrossed to convey openness to the patient." E. "A patient's spouse interrupting and not allowing me to discuss health issues with the patient is a strong nonverbal signal."
A. "Holding patients' hands when they are scared or worried is a technique for nonverbal communication." - Holding patients' hands uses touch, a form of nonverbal communication. C. "My professional appearance can communicate a message of caring." - A professional appearance, a form of nonverbal communication, communicates the message of competence and caring. D. "I should keep my arms uncrossed to convey openness to the patient." - Openness is reflected with a relaxed body posture while sitting or standing with arms and/or legs uncrossed. WRONG: B. "Gestures are good to use when the patient is confused." - Gestures are avoided when the patient is confused because they can make confused patients frightened or more confused. E. "A patient's spouse interrupting and not allowing me to discuss health issues with the patient is a strong nonverbal signal." - Although it is true that a strong signal is being sent by the spouse, interrupting the nurse while talking to the patient is verbal, not nonverbal, communication.
Which information is accurate about communication? Select all that apply. A. A receiver is essential for communication to occur. B. A sender decodes the message. C. Detecting body odor is using the olfactory channel. D. Verbal communication includes electronic interactions. E. Nonverbal communication can be exhibited by a person's clothes.
A. A receiver is essential for communication to occur. - A receiver must be present for communication to occur because communication is a two-way process. C. Detecting body odor is using the olfactory channel. - Detecting body odor is using the olfactory (smelling) channel. D. Verbal communication includes electronic interactions. - Verbal communication includes electronic interactions, such as social networking, messaging, texting, and blogging. E. Nonverbal communication can be exhibited by a person's clothes. - Symbolic expression is a type of nonverbal communication and is exhibited through a person's physical appearance, clothes, makeup, and/or jewelry. WRONG: B. A sender decodes the message. - A sender encodes, not decodes, the message.
Which situation is an example of public communication? A. Educating a class of older adults about vaccinations B. Speaking to the patient's family members in the hallway C. Writing a reflective journal to share with the therapist D. Teaching several family members wound care in the home
A. Educating a class of older adults about vaccinations - Educating a class of older adults is a good example of public communication, which involves communication with the community or population. WRONG: B. Speaking to the patient's family members in the hallway - Speaking to the patient's family members in the hallway is an example of verbal and interpersonal communication, not public communication. C. Writing a reflective journal to share with the therapist - Writing a reflective journal to share with the therapist is an example of written and interpersonal communication, not public communication. D. Teaching several family members wound care in the home - Although the home is a public setting, teaching family members is considered small-group communication, not public communication.
Which statements are accurate about the communication process? Select all that apply. A. Feedback is important to ensure the correct interpretation of the message. B. A referent is what the receiver formulates when getting the message. C. Channels of communication can be delivered through all five senses. D. The message can be spoken, written, and/or nonverbal. E. The sender interprets the message.
A. Feedback is important to ensure the correct interpretation of the message. - Feedback from the receiver is essential for effective communication and to ensure the correct interpretation of the message. C. Channels of communication can be delivered through all five senses. - Channels of communication can be delivered through all five senses: vision (sight), auditory (sound), touch, taste, and olfactory (smell). D. The message can be spoken, written, and/or nonverbal. - The message may be spoken, written, and/or nonverbal. The message is the content from the sender that is transmitted through communication. WRONG: B. A referent is what the receiver formulates when getting the message. - A referent is a thought or feeling that the sender has, which begins the communication process. It is NOT formulated by the receiver. E. The sender interprets the message. - The receiver, NOT the sender, interprets the message. The sender converts thoughts and feelings (encodes) for an interaction with the receiver.
Which facial expression by the nurse would facilitate sharing of information from the patient? A. Neutral B. Surprised C. Smiling D. Grimacing
A. Neutral - Patients and family members may feel safe and share intimate issues if the nurse maintains a neutral facial expression during discussions. WRONG: B. Surprised - A surprised facial expression may cause the patient to halt or limit information shared. C. Smiling - Smiling can be perceived as uncaring or offensive if the situation is tense or the patient just shared intimate details. D. Grimacing - Grimacing can be perceived as judgmental or offensive and may cause the patient to stop or limit information shared.
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. A. Nonverbal communication B. Verbal communication C. Visual channels of communication D. Auditory channels of communication E. Gestures from the patient F. Intrapersonal communication
A. Nonverbal communication - Frowning and pointing are examples of nonverbal communication. C. Visual channels of communication - The patient used visual channels of communication by frowning and pointing. E. Gestures from the patient - The patient is gesturing when pointing to the area of pain. WRONG: B. Verbal communication - There is no evidence of verbal communication in this interaction. D. Auditory channels of communication - There is no evidence of an auditory (hearing) channel of communication in this interaction. F. Intrapersonal communication - The patient is communicating to the nurse (interpersonal), not to self (intrapersonal).
Which examples are types of professional communication? Select all that apply. A. Public B. Intimate C. Small group D. Intrapersonal E. Interpersonal
A. Public - Public is a type of professional communication that nurses use when speaking in the community or a public forum. C. Small group - Small group is a type of professional communication that nurses use with groups of people. D. Intrapersonal - Intrapersonal (communication with self) is a type of professional communication. E. Interpersonal - Interpersonal is a type of professional communication that nurses use when talking to patients or others. WRONG: B. Intimate - Although intimate details are sometimes shared, intimate is NOT a type of professional communication.
Which element is first in the communication process? A. Referent B. Sender C. Message D. Channel
A. Referent - Referent is the first element in the communication process because it is the event, thought, or feeling that initiates communication. WRONG: B. Sender - The sender is the second element, not the first, in the communication process. The sender formulates the message after the referent occurs. C. Message - The message occurs later in the communication process. The sender communicates the message to the receiver. D. Channel - The channel is using the five senses to relay the message and is not the first element in the communication process.
Which phases are components of small-group communication? Select all that apply. A. Storming B. Norming C. Assessing D. Converging E. Arbitrating F. Performing
A. Storming - Storming is the second phase of small-group communication in which conflicts arise. B. Norming - Norming is the third phase of small-group communication in which efficiency is increased. F. Performing - Performing is the fourth phase of small-group communication in which problem-solving occurs. WRONG: C. Assessing - Assessing is an action a nurse takes to obtain information about the patient; it is not a phase of small-group communication. D. Converging - Forming, not converging, is a phase of small-group communication. E. Arbitrating - Although the leader may have to arbitrate when conflicts arise, this is not a phase of small-group communication.
When the nurse asks how a patient slept, the patient says, "Fine." Which component is the sender in this transaction? A. The nurse B. The patient C. Saying "fine" D. Asking about sleeping
A. The nurse - In this scenario, the nurse is the sender; the nurse asked the patient how they slept. WRONG: B. The patient - In this scenario, the patient is the receiver, not the sender. C. Saying "fine" - In this scenario, saying "fine" is the feedback, not the sender. D. Asking about sleeping - In this scenario, asking about sleeping is the message, not the sender.
Which characteristics are associated with voice inflection? Select all that apply. A. Tone B. Volume C. Facial changes D. Rate or rhythm E. Symbolic expression
A. Tone - Tone of voice is a characteristic of voice inflection that helps convey the significance of the message and the emotion behind the message. B. Volume - Volume is a characteristic of voice inflection that helps convey the significance of the message. D. Rate or rhythm - Rate or rhythm of speech is a characteristic of voice inflection that helps convey the significance of the message and the emotions/feelings of the person. WRONG: C. Facial changes - Although facial changes can convey emotions, facial changes are characteristics of body language, not voice inflection. E. Symbolic expression - Symbolic expression is a characteristic of body language, not voice inflection.
Which aspects of communication are exemplified when the patient telephones the nurse to ask about the next appointment? Select all that apply. A. Verbal communication is present. B. Nonverbal communication is present. C. Patient is sender. D. Nurse is sender. E. Public communication occurred. F. Interpersonal communication occurred.
A. Verbal communication is present. - The patient asked about the next appointment, indicating verbal communication. C. Patient is sender. - The patient is the sender because the patient initiated the conversation. F. Interpersonal communication occurred. - In this scenario, the nurse and patient are interacting, which indicates interpersonal communication occurred. WRONG: B. Nonverbal communication is present. - In this scenario, there is no nonverbal communication presented because it is over the phone. D. Nurse is sender. - In this scenario, the nurse is the receiver, not the sender. E. Public communication occurred. - Although the office is a public setting, this is not an example of public communication; public communication involves large groups of people in a community setting.
Which examples are associated with verbal communication? Select all that apply. A. Writing B. Emailing C. Blogging D. Texting E. Gesturing
A. Writing - Writing is the written word, which is one type of verbal communication. B. Emailing - Emailing is an electronic transaction, which is one type of verbal communication. C. Blogging - Blogging is an electronic transaction, which is one type of verbal communication. D. Texting - Texting is an electronic transaction, which is one type of verbal communication. WRONG: E. Gesturing - Gesturing is a type of nonverbal, NOT verbal, communication.
Which situations are examples of public communication? Select all that apply. A. Nurse facilitating group therapy for depressed patients B. Nurse teaching about high blood pressure at a health fair C. Nurse comforting the patient's partner after a vehicle accident D. Nurse offering advice to a large classroom of nursing students E. Nurse suggesting ways to decrease the risk for infection on television
B. Nurse teaching about high blood pressure at a health fair - Teaching about high blood pressure at a health fair is an example of public communication because it is occurring in the community. D. Nurse offering advice to a large classroom of nursing students - Offering advice to a large classroom of nursing students is an example of public communication because it is occurring in a public forum. E. Nurse suggesting ways to decrease the risk for infection on television - Suggesting ways to decrease risk for infection on television is an example of public communication because it is occurring in a public forum and available to the population. WRONG: A. Nurse facilitating group therapy for depressed patients - Group therapy is a type of small-group, not public, communication. C. Nurse comforting the patient's partner after a vehicle accident - Comforting a patient's partner is a type of interpersonal, not public, communication.
Which components are basic elements of the communication process? Select all that apply. A. Stance B. Referent C. Channel D. Feedback E. Posture
B. Referent - Referent is a basic element of the communication process; it is the event or thought that begins the conversation. C. Channel - Channel is a basic element of the communication process; it is the method of communication from the five senses. D. Feedback - Feedback is a basic element of the communication process; it is the receiver's reaction or response to the message. WRONG: A. Stance - Stance is a component of nonverbal communication—a mode of communication, not an element. E. Posture - Posture is a component of nonverbal communication—a mode of communication, not an element.
Which nonverbal behavior would help a nurse who is speaking in public? A. Cross arms when questions are asked. B. Walk to the podium with confidence and intention. C. Touch every participant while walking to the stage. D. Say "That is a good point" to a participant who disagrees.
B. Walk to the podium with confidence and intention. - Walking to the podium with confidence and intention would help the nurse because it conveys confidence. WRONG: A. Cross arms when questions are asked. - Although crossing arms is nonverbal, it conveys a lack of openness from the nurse and would not be helpful. C. Touch every participant while walking to the stage. - Although touching is nonverbal, it is not appropriate to use touch indiscriminately because, depending on the person's history or culture, it may not be perceived as comforting. D. Say "That is a good point" to a participant who disagrees. - Although this communication would help the nurse, it is a verbal behavior, not a nonverbal behavior.
Which example demonstrates verbal communication used by a nurse? A. Furrowing eyebrows B. Changing voice inflection C. Charting a patient's vital signs D. Standing with arms uncrossed
C. Charting a patient's vital signs - Charting a patient's vital signs is using written words and/or electronic communication to communicate, which are parts of verbal communication. WRONG: A. Furrowing eyebrows - Furrowing the eyebrows is nonverbal, not verbal, communication. B. Changing voice inflection - Changing the voice inflection is nonverbal, not verbal, communication. D. Standing with arms uncrossed - Standing with arms uncrossed is nonverbal, not verbal, communication.
Which area is affected when the health care provider tells the patient, "The MRI, the PET scan, and the CBC with differential were inconclusive"? A. Setting B. Context C. Content D. Charting
C. Content - The content is affected in this situation because the content describes the actual words of the exchange. Because the nurse uses medical jargon and abbreviations, the patient may not understand. WRONG: A. Setting - The setting is the physical place where the exchange occurred and is not affected in this situation. B. Context - The context describes the circumstances surrounding the exchange, which can be social, casual, therapeutic, nontherapeutic, or a combination of these. The context is not affected by the actual words of the exchange. D. Charting - Charting is not affected in this situation because the nurse is talking to the patient, not documenting information about the patient.
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? A. Referent: The patient B. Channel: Nurse saying "Yes, after you are fully awake." C. Message: Patient asking "Can I eat after the test?" D. Sender: The nurse
C. Message: Patient asking "Can I eat after the test?" - In this scenario, the patient asking "Can I eat after the test" is the message. WRONG: A. Referent: The patient - In this scenario the patient is the sender, not the referent. The referent is the event that initiates the conversation. In this situation, the referent is the concern about eating after the test. B. Channel: Nurse saying "Yes, after you are fully awake." - In this scenario, the nurse saying "Yes, after you are fully awake" is the feedback, not the channel. The channel is the use of the five senses to convey the message. D. Sender: The nurse - In this scenario, the nurse is the receiver, not the sender. The patient is the sender in this situation.
Which example illustrates interprofessional communication? A. Nurse obtaining information from a patient B. Nurse talking to a family member C. Nurse discussing options with a dietitian D. Nurse answering the call light
C. Nurse discussing options with a dietitian - Discussing options with the dietitian is a type of interprofessional communication because the dietitian is a professional member of the interprofessional team. WRONG: A. Nurse obtaining information from a patient - Interprofessional communication does NOT involve the patient but rather professional members of the health care team. B. Nurse talking to a family member - Interprofessional communication does NOT involve family members but rather professional members of the health care team. D. Nurse answering the call light - A nurse answering the call light is NOT an example of interprofessional communication because there is no exchange of information between professional members of the health care team.
Which example is a representation of the auditory channel in the communication process? A. Assessing urine for noxious odorsAssessing urine for noxious odors uses the sense of smell (olfactory), not auditory, channel. B. Cleaning a patientCleaning the patient is a skill; it does not directly involve any communication channel. C. Paying attention to the patient's breath sounds D. Observing the ears for bleeding
C. Paying attention to the patient's breath sounds - Paying attention to the patient's breath sounds uses the auditory channel. WRONG: A. Assessing urine for noxious odors - Assessing urine for noxious odors uses the sense of smell (olfactory), not auditory, channel. B. Cleaning a patient -Cleaning the patient is a skill; it does not directly involve any communication channel. D. Observing the ears for bleeding - Observing the ears for bleeding uses the visual (sight) channel.
Which aspect of voice inflection is reflected when the patient says, "I just can't . . . seem to . . . deal with . . . this"? A. Tone B. Volume C. Rhythm or rate D. Symbolic expression
C. Rhythm or rate - Rhythm or rate is reflected in this scenario by the pauses between words. WRONG: A. Tone - Tone could describe any type of emotion, but that is not reflected in this scenario. B. Volume - Volume could be loud or soft, but that is not reflected in this scenario. D. Symbolic expression - Symbolic expression is exhibited through a person's physical appearance, clothes, makeup, and/or jewelry, not through the pacing of the message.
Which examples are types of intrapersonal communication? Select all that apply. A. Formal B. Informal C. Self-talk D. Meditation E. Conversational
C. Self-talk - Self-talk (positive and negative) is an example of intrapersonal communication, a form of inner dialogue. D. Meditation - Meditation is a type of intrapersonal communication that provides inspiration, comfort, and relaxation. WRONG: A. Formal - Formal is a type of interpersonal, not intrapersonal, communication involving two or more people. B. Informal - Informal is a type of interpersonal, not intrapersonal, communication. E. Conversational - Conversational is a type of interpersonal, not intrapersonal, communication involving two or more people.
Which example is a type of nonverbal communication? A. Written word B. Spoken words C. Voice inflection D. Electronic communication
C. Voice inflection - Voice inflection is a type of nonverbal communication because it cannot be documented. Voice inflection and body language are types of nonverbal communication. WRONG: A. Written word - The written word is a type of verbal, not nonverbal, communication. B. Spoken words - Spoken words are a type of verbal, not nonverbal, communication. D. Electronic communication - Electronic communication is a type of verbal, not nonverbal, communication.
Which behavior occurs in the storming phase of small-group communication? A. Permitting ground rules to be set B. Encouraging all members to be involved C. Solving problems D. Addressing conflicts
D. Addressing conflicts - Storming identifies conflicts that must be addressed. WRONG: A. Permitting ground rules to be set - The phase that permits ground rules to be set is forming, not storming. B. Encouraging all members to be involved - The phase that encourages all members of the small group to become involved is norming, not storming. C. Solving problems - The phase in which problem-solving occurs is performing, not storming.
Which phase of small-group communication is described when the group is very committed to a positive outcome? A. Forming B. Storming C. Norming D. Performing
D. Performing - Problem-solving occurs during the performing phase, as group members are highly committed to outcomes. WRONG: A. Forming - During the forming phase, group members rely heavily on the leader to identify the group's mission and goals; commitment to a positive outcome occurs later in the process. B. Storming - The storming phase may involve some conflicts among group participants; commitment to a positive outcome occurs later in the process. C. Norming - During the norming phase, increased trust and openness emerge, resulting in productivity and meaningful sharing of information; commitment to a positive outcome occurs later in the process.
Which phase is the group experiencing when trying to resolve treatment for a patient's nonhealing wound? A. Norming B. Forming C. Storming D. Performing
D. Performing - The performing phase involves increased motivation and problem-solving to help a patient's wound heal. WRONG: A. Norming - The norming phase involves increased trust among group members, not the resolution of problems. B. Forming - The forming phase is where the rules and goals are formulated; it does not include the resolution of problems. C. Storming - The storming phase involves conflict among members who are working out control issues, not trying to resolve problems.
Which situation is an example of nonverbal communication? A. The patient states, "My left leg hurts." B. The patient writes a note to the nurse and family. C. The nurse asks if the patient has ever smoked cigarettes. D. The patient is grimacing and holding the abdomen.
D. The patient is grimacing and holding the abdomen. - Grimacing and holding the abdomen are forms of body language, which is nonverbal communication. WRONG: A. The patient states, "My left leg hurts." - A patient stating that they have left leg pain is using the spoken word, which is verbal communication, not nonverbal. B. The patient writes a note to the nurse and family. - The patient writing a note is an example of the written word, a form of verbal communication, not nonverbal. C. The nurse asks if the patient has ever smoked cigarettes. - Asking a patient about cigarette smoking history is using the spoken word, which is verbal communication, not nonverbal.
Match the element of communication to its description.
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
Match the type of communication with the appropriate scenario.
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
Match the element of the communication process with its example.
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
Match the communication aspect to its example.
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
