Question 1

During an interview,the nurse states: "You mentioned shortness of breath.Tell me more about that." Identify the verbal skill used with this statement.

Accepted Answer

The open-ended question asks for narrative information.It states the topic to be discussed but only in general terms.Use it to begin the interview,to introduce a new section of questions,and whenever the patient introduces a new topic.

Question 2

When observing a patient's verbal and nonverbal communication,the nurse notices a discrepancy.Which of the following statements about this situation is true?

Accepted Answer

When nonverbal and verbal messages are congruent,the verbal message is reinforced by the nonverbal message.When they are incongruent,the nonverbal message tends to be the true one because it is under less conscious control.Thus,it is important to study the nonverbal messages of patients and examiners,and to understand their meanings.

Question 3

The nurse is conducting an interview with a woman who has recently learned that she is pregnant and has come to the clinic to begin prenatal care.The woman states that she and her husband are excited about the pregnancy but have a few questions.She looks nervously at her hands during the interview and sighs audibly.Which of the following statements does the nurse know is most accurate,considering the concept of communication? The woman:

Accepted Answer

Communication is made through all behaviours-conscious and unconscious,verbal and nonverbal.All behaviours have meaning.

Question 4

A nurse is taking complete health histories from all the patients attending a wellness workshop.One of the questions on the history form is,"You don't smoke,drink,or take drugs,do you?" This question is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Asking,"You don't smoke,do you?" implies that one answer is "better" than another.If the person wants to please you,he or she is either forced to answer in a way corresponding to your values or is made to feel guilty when admitting to the alternative answer.

Question 5

Because the physical environment in which an interview takes place is an important consideration for the success of the interview,the interviewer should:

Accepted Answer

Reduce noise.Multiple stimuli are confusing.Turn off the television,radio,and any unnecessary equipment.

Question 6

During an interview,a woman says,"I have decided that I can no longer allow my children to live with their father's violence.I just can't seem to be able to leave him,though." Using interpretation,the nurse's best response would be:

Accepted Answer

This statement is not based on one's inference or conclusion.It links events,makes associations,or implies cause.Interpretation also ascribes feelings and helps the person understand his or her own feelings in relation to the verbal message.

Question 7

At which phase of the interview could the following statement be made? "Mr.S. ,I would like to ask you some questions about your health and your usual daily activities so that we can better plan your stay here."

Accepted Answer

When gathering a complete history,the reason for the interview could be given during the opening or introduction of the interview.

Question 8

A patient has finished describing to the nurse the reason he is seeking care.When reviewing the data,the nurse finds that information about past hospitalizations is incomplete.Which of the following statements by the nurse would be most appropriate to obtain the missing data?

Accepted Answer

Following the patient's opening narrative,use direct questions to fill in any details he or she may have left out.Also,use direct questions when specific facts are needed,for example,when asking about past health problems or reviewing the body systems.

Question 9

In an interview,the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid his or her memory later.Which of the following statements is true regarding note taking?

Accepted Answer

Some use of history forms and note taking may be unavoidable.But be aware that note taking during the interview has disadvantages.It breaks eye contact too often;it shifts attention away from the patient,diminishing his or her sense of importance.It can interrupt the patient's narrative flow,and it impedes observation of the patient's nonverbal behaviour.

Question 10

A woman is describing the problems she is having with her 2-year-old son."He won't go to sleep at night,and during the day he has several fits.I get so upset when that happens." The nurse's best verbal response would be:

Accepted Answer

Use clarification when the person's word choice is ambiguous or confusing (e.g. ,"Tell me what you mean by 'tired blood'.").Clarification is also used to summarize and simplify statements to make them clearer and to ensure that you are on the right track.

Question 11

When taking history from a newly admitted patient,the nurse notices that he is pausing often and looking at the nurse expectantly.What would be the nurse's best response to this behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Silent attentiveness communicates that the patient can take the time to think and to mentally organize what he or she wishes to say without interruption.Unfortunately,this "thinking silence" is the one health care providers tend to interrupt most often.

Question 12

A man has been admitted to the observation unit after having been treated for a large cut on his forehead.As the nurse works through the interview,one of the standard questions has to do with alcohol,tobacco,and drug use.When the nurse asks him about tobacco use,he states,"I quit smoking after my wife died 7 years ago." However,the nurse notices an open packet of cigarettes in his shirt pocket.If using confrontation as a response,the nurse could say:

Accepted Answer

In the case of confrontation,a certain action,feeling,or statement has been observed,and you now focus the person's attention on it.You give your honest feedback about what you see or feel by focusing on a discrepancy or on the parts of the story that are inconsistent.

Question 13

During a clinic visit,the patient states,"The doctor just told me I should stop smoking.He doesn't understand how hard I've tried.I just don't know the best way to do it.What should I do?" The nurse's most appropriate response in this case would be:

Accepted Answer

Use clarification when the person's word choice is ambiguous or confusing.Clarification summarizes the person's words,simplifies the words to make them clearer,and verifies if you are on the right track.

Question 14

Receiving is a vital part of the communication process.Which one of the receivers listed below is most likely to misinterpret a message sent by a health care provider?

Accepted Answer

The receiver attaches meaning determined by his or her past experiences,culture,self-concept,and current physical and emotional states.

Question 15

When using interpretation as a response to a patient's statement or actions,it would be best for the nurse to:

Accepted Answer

Unlike confrontation,interpretation is not based on direct observation but on inference or conclusion.With interpretation,you do run the risk of making the wrong inference.When that happens,the person will often correct it,so interpretation does encourage further discussion of the topic.

Question 16

Some verbal responses that assist the patient's narrative focus on the patient's frame of reference,and some focus on the health care provider's perspective.An example of a verbal response that focuses on the health care provider's perspective would be:

Accepted Answer

When using the response of confrontation,the frame of reference shifts from the patient's perspective to the health care provider's,who then starts to express his or her own thoughts and feelings.

Question 17

A pregnant woman states,"I just know labour will be so painful that I won't be able to stand it.I know it sounds awful,but I really dread going into labour." The nurse responds by stating,"Oh,don't worry about labour so much.I have been through it myself,and yes,it is painful,but there are many good medications to decrease the pain." Which of the following statements about this response is true?

Accepted Answer

By providing false assurance or reassurance,this "courage builder" has created a false sense of having relieved the woman's anxiety and of having provided comfort.But for the woman,it has actually closed off communication.It trivializes her anxiety and,in effect,denies any further discussion of it.

Question 18

Mrs.H.has just entered the emergency department after being battered by her husband.The nurse will need to get some information from her before beginning treatment.Which of the following is the best choice for an opening statement with this patient?

Accepted Answer

Address the patient,using his or her surname.Introduce yourself,and state your role in the agency.Friendly small talk to build rapport is not needed in this situation.

Question 19

The nurse enters a patient's room and finds her crying because the patient has just found out that the lump in her breast is cancerous.The patient says,"I'm so afraid of,um,you know." The nurse's most therapeutic response would be to say,in a gentle manner:

Accepted Answer

Reflection echoes the patient's words,repeating part of what the person just said.Reflection also can help express the feeling behind a person's words.

Question 20

A 17-year-old single mother is describing how difficult it is to raise a 2-year-old by herself.During the course of the interview,she states,"I can't believe my boyfriend left me to do this by myself! What a terrible thing to do to me!" Which of the following responses by the nurse uses empathy?

Accepted Answer

An empathetic response recognizes the feeling and puts it into words.It names the feeling and allows the expression of it.It strengthens rapport.Other empathetic responses are,"This must be very hard for you," "I understand," or just placing your hand on the person's arm.

Quiz 4: The Interview