Galen College NSG 3180 Final Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 |
Communication & Teamwork Q&A | Nursing
1. A patient with a new colostomy tells the nurse, "I'm disgusting. No one will
ever want to be near me again." Which response by the nurse is the best
example of therapeutic communication?
A) "You shouldn't feel that way. You'll get used to it."
B) "Tell me more about how you're feeling about your colostomy."
C) "That's not true. Many people live normal lives with colostomies."
D) "You need to be more positive about your situation."
Correct Answer: "Tell me more about how you're feeling about your
colostomy."
Rationale: This open-ended response explores the patient's feelings and
concerns, which is the goal of therapeutic communication. It validates the
patient's emotions and encourages further discussion. Options A, C, and D
offer false reassurance or advice, which are non-therapeutic.
2. A nurse is speaking with a patient who appears anxious. Which statement
demonstrates the therapeutic technique of reflecting?
A) "Tell me more about your chest pain."
B) "You seem worried. Is that what you're feeling?"
C) "I think you should talk to the doctor."
D) "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
Correct Answer: "You seem worried. Is that what you're feeling?"
Rationale: Reflecting helps patients recognize and explore their own
emotions. By observing and verbalizing the patient's apparent emotional
state, the nurse validates their feelings and encourages further discussion.
,"Tell me more..." is exploring, advising is nontherapeutic, and false
reassurance dismisses the patient's feelings.
3. During the orientation phase of the nurse-patient relationship, the nurse
should first:
A) Review the patient's chart in depth
B) Introduce oneself, explain the nurse's role, and establish rapport
C) Begin exploring the patient's deep-seated emotional conflicts
D) Prepare for termination
Correct Answer: Introduce oneself, explain the nurse's role, and establish
rapport
Rationale: The orientation phase sets the foundation by building trust,
clarifying roles, and setting mutual goals. Reviewing the chart is pre-
interaction. Deep exploration occurs in the working phase. Termination is the
final phase.
4. Which of the following statements best represents therapeutic
communication when a student discovers a patient crying in bed?
A) "Will you listen to me so I can help you get better?"
B) "I am the nurse who will be doing your treatments today."
C) "Can we talk about what seems to be bothering you?"
D) "This is what is going to happen during surgery."
Correct Answer: "Can we talk about what seems to be bothering you?"
Rationale: Asking about what is bothering the patient is goal-directed and its
purpose is to promote patient well-being. The other options ignore the
patient's emotional needs or are statements of fact.
,5. A nurse is caring for a patient with expressive aphasia. Which
communication strategy is most effective?
A) Speak loudly and slowly
B) Use a communication board or picture cards
C) Ask the patient to repeat words
D) Avoid communicating with the patient
Correct Answer: Use a communication board or picture cards
Rationale: Expressive aphasia impairs the ability to produce speech, but the
patient may still understand language. Using alternative communication
methods, such as a communication board, picture cards, or writing, can
facilitate effective communication.
6. Which of the following is a barrier to therapeutic communication?
A) Using silence
B) Making value judgments
C) Restating the patient's message
D) Focusing on the patient's concerns
Correct Answer: Making value judgments
Rationale: Making value judgments (e.g., "That's wrong," "You shouldn't think
that") is a non-therapeutic communication technique that can make the
patient feel criticized and defensive. Silence, restating, and focusing are
therapeutic techniques.
7. In the SBAR communication tool, the "B" stands for:
, A) Background
B) Behavior
C) Breathing
D) Blood pressure
Correct Answer: Background
Rationale: In the SBAR framework, "B" stands for Background. This
component provides relevant contextual information, such as the patient's
medical history, admitting diagnosis, and previous treatment.
8. A nurse is using the SBAR tool to report a patient's change in status.
Which information should the nurse include in the "S" (Situation) component?
A) The patient's medical history and admitting diagnosis
B) The patient's current vital signs and assessment findings
C) A brief summary of what is happening right now with the patient
D) The nurse's specific recommendation or request
Correct Answer: A brief summary of what is happening right now with the
patient
Rationale: The "S" in SBAR stands for "Situation," which is a concise
statement of the current problem or reason for the call. The "Background"
includes history, "Assessment" includes findings, and "Recommendation" is
the nurse's suggestion.
9. A nurse is conducting a bedside shift report (BSR). Which action BEST
reflects evidence-based practice for BSR?
A) Conduct the entire report in the hallway to save time
Communication & Teamwork Q&A | Nursing
1. A patient with a new colostomy tells the nurse, "I'm disgusting. No one will
ever want to be near me again." Which response by the nurse is the best
example of therapeutic communication?
A) "You shouldn't feel that way. You'll get used to it."
B) "Tell me more about how you're feeling about your colostomy."
C) "That's not true. Many people live normal lives with colostomies."
D) "You need to be more positive about your situation."
Correct Answer: "Tell me more about how you're feeling about your
colostomy."
Rationale: This open-ended response explores the patient's feelings and
concerns, which is the goal of therapeutic communication. It validates the
patient's emotions and encourages further discussion. Options A, C, and D
offer false reassurance or advice, which are non-therapeutic.
2. A nurse is speaking with a patient who appears anxious. Which statement
demonstrates the therapeutic technique of reflecting?
A) "Tell me more about your chest pain."
B) "You seem worried. Is that what you're feeling?"
C) "I think you should talk to the doctor."
D) "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
Correct Answer: "You seem worried. Is that what you're feeling?"
Rationale: Reflecting helps patients recognize and explore their own
emotions. By observing and verbalizing the patient's apparent emotional
state, the nurse validates their feelings and encourages further discussion.
,"Tell me more..." is exploring, advising is nontherapeutic, and false
reassurance dismisses the patient's feelings.
3. During the orientation phase of the nurse-patient relationship, the nurse
should first:
A) Review the patient's chart in depth
B) Introduce oneself, explain the nurse's role, and establish rapport
C) Begin exploring the patient's deep-seated emotional conflicts
D) Prepare for termination
Correct Answer: Introduce oneself, explain the nurse's role, and establish
rapport
Rationale: The orientation phase sets the foundation by building trust,
clarifying roles, and setting mutual goals. Reviewing the chart is pre-
interaction. Deep exploration occurs in the working phase. Termination is the
final phase.
4. Which of the following statements best represents therapeutic
communication when a student discovers a patient crying in bed?
A) "Will you listen to me so I can help you get better?"
B) "I am the nurse who will be doing your treatments today."
C) "Can we talk about what seems to be bothering you?"
D) "This is what is going to happen during surgery."
Correct Answer: "Can we talk about what seems to be bothering you?"
Rationale: Asking about what is bothering the patient is goal-directed and its
purpose is to promote patient well-being. The other options ignore the
patient's emotional needs or are statements of fact.
,5. A nurse is caring for a patient with expressive aphasia. Which
communication strategy is most effective?
A) Speak loudly and slowly
B) Use a communication board or picture cards
C) Ask the patient to repeat words
D) Avoid communicating with the patient
Correct Answer: Use a communication board or picture cards
Rationale: Expressive aphasia impairs the ability to produce speech, but the
patient may still understand language. Using alternative communication
methods, such as a communication board, picture cards, or writing, can
facilitate effective communication.
6. Which of the following is a barrier to therapeutic communication?
A) Using silence
B) Making value judgments
C) Restating the patient's message
D) Focusing on the patient's concerns
Correct Answer: Making value judgments
Rationale: Making value judgments (e.g., "That's wrong," "You shouldn't think
that") is a non-therapeutic communication technique that can make the
patient feel criticized and defensive. Silence, restating, and focusing are
therapeutic techniques.
7. In the SBAR communication tool, the "B" stands for:
, A) Background
B) Behavior
C) Breathing
D) Blood pressure
Correct Answer: Background
Rationale: In the SBAR framework, "B" stands for Background. This
component provides relevant contextual information, such as the patient's
medical history, admitting diagnosis, and previous treatment.
8. A nurse is using the SBAR tool to report a patient's change in status.
Which information should the nurse include in the "S" (Situation) component?
A) The patient's medical history and admitting diagnosis
B) The patient's current vital signs and assessment findings
C) A brief summary of what is happening right now with the patient
D) The nurse's specific recommendation or request
Correct Answer: A brief summary of what is happening right now with the
patient
Rationale: The "S" in SBAR stands for "Situation," which is a concise
statement of the current problem or reason for the call. The "Background"
includes history, "Assessment" includes findings, and "Recommendation" is
the nurse's suggestion.
9. A nurse is conducting a bedside shift report (BSR). Which action BEST
reflects evidence-based practice for BSR?
A) Conduct the entire report in the hallway to save time
