Question 1

A patient is admitted for an ambulatory surgery procedure and says to the tech, "I don't need you to tell me anything. I already looked all of this up on the Internet yesterday." What is the tech's best response?
A)"Are you sure you learned everything you need to know? You might not have been looking in the right places."
B)"It's good that you are informed, but let's review these topics anyway."
C)"I wouldn't trust all of the sites out there. You can find a lot of misinformation these days."
D)"Since you have already looked everything up, please just sign here that your teaching is done."

Accepted Answer

The tech should respond by saying, "It's good that you are informed, but let's review these topics anyway." This response validates the patient's knowledge of the procedure and their attempts to learn more about their condition. It also allows the tech to continue with their teaching, which they must provide, even if the patient has looked up the procedure beforehand.

Question 2

All of the following are components of the intraoperative patient care record EXCEPT:
A)Patient skin condition before the procedure
B)Sponge counts before and after surgery
C)Patient teaching regarding incision care and ambulation
D)Patient position on the operating room table

Accepted Answer

Patient teaching regarding incision care and ambulation would not be a component of the intraoperative patient care record. This information, while important, should be given during the preoperative period and reviewed during the postoperative period. The patient is most likely under anesthesia during the intraoperative process and receives little teaching during this time.

Question 3

Which of the following actions is most likely to communicate a clear and effective message from the tech to the patient?
A)Using medical terminology around the patient to instill confidence in the tech's knowledge.
B)Providing discharge instructions when a patient and their family are packed and waiting to go home.
C)Educating the patient about a hysterectomy upon admission and while in the post-surgical unit.
D)Teaching a patient about caring for their incision site when they are moved into the PACU.

Accepted Answer

Educating the patient about a hysterectomy upon admission and while in the post-surgical unit is most likely to communicate a clear and effective message from the tech to the patient. Communication and teaching must be performed using methods the patient can understand. Additionally, the patient must be in a position to receive the information: not rushed for time or managing pain after a procedure.

Question 4

Which of the following statements may provide the most clarity when teaching a patient about postoperative care?
A)"You will need to stay in bed for the first day or so, then tomorrow, we will get you up to walk."
B)"First, you will need to stay in bed until we finish vital signs and ensure you are stable. Once you appear to be clinically stable and you feel like you could get up, we will provide stand-by assistance and help you walk from your room to the water fountain and back."
C)"We'll have you rest today, but tomorrow we'll help you out of bed."
D)"You may want to stay in bed a lot, but getting up to walk is really important, you know?"

Accepted Answer

The tech should provide clarity by saying, "We'll have you rest today, but tomorrow we'll help you out of bed." This sends a message that describes what the patient needs to know in a short and succinct manner. Using extra phrases or adding words can be confusing and does not tell the patient what to expect. Additionally, adding too much information can be overwhelming to a patient.

Question 5

The tech is charting the patient's response to pain medication they administered one hour ago. Which of the following descriptions should the tech use?
A)"Pain decreased from an '8' to a '3' on the pain scale, less grimacing and able to move in bed."
B)"Patient states he is comfortable and denies nausea."
C)"Patient tolerated medication well."
D)"No evidence of pain."

Accepted Answer

The tech should document "Pain decreased from an '8' to a '3' on the pain scale, less grimacing and able to move in bed." This description indicates both patient statements and evidence that the pain is under control. When documenting, the tech should try to use clear indications and examples rather than vague statements that could be misinterpreted.

Question 6

What is the ultimate goal of therapeutic communication?
A)To convey pertinent information to the surgeon about the patient's condition.
B)To provide reports between nursing shifts about the patient's activities.
C)To help the tech plan what they are going to say to the patient.
D)To develop a working partnership between the patient and the tech.

Accepted Answer

The goal of therapeutic communication is to develop a working partnership between the patient and the tech. Therapeutic communication is when the tech discovers information about the patient's background and history as it affects the current situation. Therapeutic communication is confidential and allows the tech to work with the patient to develop appropriate goals for care.

Question 7

A tech is caring for a patient who needs more pain medicine following a surgical procedure. When they call the physician, the doctor gives them an order over the phone to add another narcotic medication to that which is already scheduled. Which of the following should the tech do to maintain accuracy when taking a telephone order?
A)Repeat the order back to the physician before hanging up.
B)Ask the physician to state the order a second time to ensure accuracy.
C)Document the order on a piece of paper so the physician can transcribe what they said when they come in.
D)It is never appropriate to take telephone orders for medication changes.

Accepted Answer

In order to ensure accurate communication, the tech should repeat the order back to the physician before hanging up. Telephone orders have the potential to cause mistakes if information is not conveyed correctly. Because the tech is taking orders that may significantly impact the patient's health and outcome, they must communicate very clearly what they believe the physician is saying.

Question 8

Which of the following is an appropriate method of communication with a patient upon an initial meeting?
A)Use the patient's last name or ask to call them by their first name.
B)Ease the tension by sharing a joke.
C)Tell the patient about a similar situation with another patient that had a positive outcome.
D)Both A and B

Accepted Answer

When working with a patient for the first time, the tech should use the patient's last name or ask to call them by their first name. Some patients feel disrespected by the use of first names among those they do not know well. The tech should remember that although they are the patient's care provider, the patient may still not trust them until they gets to know the tech a little more.

Question 9

During shift report on the post-surgical unit, the oncoming tech says critically, "You didn't get that patient up to walk today? What did you do all day?" Which of the following is the most assertive response from the tech giving report?
A)"I'm sorry, you're right. He really should have gotten up today."
B)"I don't like how you are talking to me. I work very hard all day, so do not treat me as if I have done nothing."
C)"I realize you are probably irritated, but we get busy during the day, too."
D)"You have no idea what I'm going through right now. Please stop being so mean to me."

Accepted Answer

The most assertive response is to say "I realize you are probably irritated, but we get busy during the day, too." This response validates the feelings of the other person without allowing them to be controlling. When being assertive, the tech should avoid making personal statements or excuses as to why they made their decisions. They should instead calmly state the facts of their decision.

Question 10

When the tech expresses their condolences to a family whose son died during a surgical procedure, the patient's father says, "You have no idea what we are going through! This is all this hospital's fault!" Which of the following is the most appropriate action of the tech?
A)Leave the family to themselves to avoid disturbing them further.
B)Notify the doctor that the family may possibly decide to pursue litigation.
C)Recognize that the family is probably upset and is taking their feelings out on the tech.
D)Reassure the family that the procedure did not go as planned, but things will eventually get better.

Accepted Answer

The tech should recognize that the family is probably upset and is taking their feelings out on the tech. During times of grief, it may be difficult to communicate with people who are angry because they often feel powerless. Although the family appears to be upset with the tech, the tech should not take their statements personally.

Quiz 2: Communication

A patient is admitted for an ambulatory surgery procedure and says to the tech, "I don't need you to tell me anything. I already looked all of this up on the Internet yesterday." What is the tech's best response?

All of the following are components of the intraoperative patient care record EXCEPT:

Which of the following actions is most likely to communicate a clear and effective message from the tech to the patient?

Which of the following statements may provide the most clarity when teaching a patient about postoperative care?

The tech is charting the patient's response to pain medication they administered one hour ago. Which of the following descriptions should the tech use?

What is the ultimate goal of therapeutic communication?

Which of the following is an appropriate method of communication with a patient upon an initial meeting?

During shift report on the post-surgical unit, the oncoming tech says critically, "You didn't get that patient up to walk today? What did you do all day?" Which of the following is the most assertive response from the tech giving report?

When the tech expresses their condolences to a family whose son died during a surgical procedure, the patient's father says, "You have no idea what we are going through! This is all this hospital's fault!" Which of the following is the most appropriate action of the tech?