C HAPTER 24: C OMMUNICATION
Potter: Fundamentals of Nursing, 11th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient was admitted 2 days ago with a diagnosis of pneumonia and a
history of angina. The patient is now having chest pain with a pulse rate
of 108. Which piece of data will the nurse use for “B” when using SBAR?
a. Having chest pain
b. Pulse rate of 108
c. History of angina
d. Oxygen is needed
ANS: C
The B in SBAR stands for background information. The background
information in this situatio n is the history of angina. Having chest pain
is the Situation (S). Pulse rate of 108 is the Assessment (A). Oxygen is
needed is the Recommendation (R).
DIF: Appl y (application) OBJ: Identify desired outcomes of
nurse-health care team member relationship s. TOP:
Implementation MSC: Management of Care
2. A patient just received a diagnosis of cancer. Which statement by the
nurse demonstrates empathy?
a. “Tomorrow will be better. ”
, b. “This must be hard news to hear. ”
c. “What’s your biggest fear about this diagnosis? ”
d. “I believe you can overcome this because I’ve seen how strong you
are.”
ANS: B
“This must be hard ” is an example of empathy. Empathy is the abilit y
to understand and accept another person’s realit y, accuratel y perceive
feelings, and communicate this un derstanding to the other. An example
of false reassurance is “Tomorrow will be better. ” “I believe you can
overcome this ” is an example of sharing hope. “What is your biggest
fear?” is an open -ended question that allows patients to take the
conversational lead and introduces pertinent information about a topic.
DIF: Anal yze (anal ysis) OBJ: Identify opportunities to improve
communication with patients while giving care. TOP:
Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial
Integrit y
3. A nurse is taking a history on a patient who cannot speak English. Which
action will the nurse take to provide effective care?
a. Obtain an interpreter.
b. Refer to a speech therapist.
c. Let a close famil y member talk.
d. Find a mental health nurse specialist.
ANS: A
, Interpreters are often necessary for patients who speak a foreign
language. Using a famil y member can lead to legal issues, speech
therapists help patients with aphasia, and mental health nurse
specialists help angry or highl y anxious patients to communicate more
effectivel y.
DIF: Appl y (application) OBJ: Implement nursing care
measures for patients with special communication needs.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Management of Care
4. A nurse is using SURETY to facilitate active listening. What is the focus
of the letter R?
a. Projection of a sense of relaxation
b. Demonstrating respect for the patient
c. Implementing reminisce to support memory
d. Continuousl y provide reassurance to the patient
ANS: A
In SURETY, the R stands for relax. It is important to communicate a
sense of being relaxed and comfortable with the patient. Active
listening enhances trust because the nurse communicates acceptance
and respect for the patient, but it is not the R in SURETY. Reminisce is
a therapeutic communication technique, especiall y when used with the
elderl y. Reassuring can be therapeutic if the nurse reassures patients
that there are many kinds of hope and that meaning and personal
growth can come from illness experiences. However, false reassurance
can block communication.
Potter: Fundamentals of Nursing, 11th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient was admitted 2 days ago with a diagnosis of pneumonia and a
history of angina. The patient is now having chest pain with a pulse rate
of 108. Which piece of data will the nurse use for “B” when using SBAR?
a. Having chest pain
b. Pulse rate of 108
c. History of angina
d. Oxygen is needed
ANS: C
The B in SBAR stands for background information. The background
information in this situatio n is the history of angina. Having chest pain
is the Situation (S). Pulse rate of 108 is the Assessment (A). Oxygen is
needed is the Recommendation (R).
DIF: Appl y (application) OBJ: Identify desired outcomes of
nurse-health care team member relationship s. TOP:
Implementation MSC: Management of Care
2. A patient just received a diagnosis of cancer. Which statement by the
nurse demonstrates empathy?
a. “Tomorrow will be better. ”
, b. “This must be hard news to hear. ”
c. “What’s your biggest fear about this diagnosis? ”
d. “I believe you can overcome this because I’ve seen how strong you
are.”
ANS: B
“This must be hard ” is an example of empathy. Empathy is the abilit y
to understand and accept another person’s realit y, accuratel y perceive
feelings, and communicate this un derstanding to the other. An example
of false reassurance is “Tomorrow will be better. ” “I believe you can
overcome this ” is an example of sharing hope. “What is your biggest
fear?” is an open -ended question that allows patients to take the
conversational lead and introduces pertinent information about a topic.
DIF: Anal yze (anal ysis) OBJ: Identify opportunities to improve
communication with patients while giving care. TOP:
Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial
Integrit y
3. A nurse is taking a history on a patient who cannot speak English. Which
action will the nurse take to provide effective care?
a. Obtain an interpreter.
b. Refer to a speech therapist.
c. Let a close famil y member talk.
d. Find a mental health nurse specialist.
ANS: A
, Interpreters are often necessary for patients who speak a foreign
language. Using a famil y member can lead to legal issues, speech
therapists help patients with aphasia, and mental health nurse
specialists help angry or highl y anxious patients to communicate more
effectivel y.
DIF: Appl y (application) OBJ: Implement nursing care
measures for patients with special communication needs.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Management of Care
4. A nurse is using SURETY to facilitate active listening. What is the focus
of the letter R?
a. Projection of a sense of relaxation
b. Demonstrating respect for the patient
c. Implementing reminisce to support memory
d. Continuousl y provide reassurance to the patient
ANS: A
In SURETY, the R stands for relax. It is important to communicate a
sense of being relaxed and comfortable with the patient. Active
listening enhances trust because the nurse communicates acceptance
and respect for the patient, but it is not the R in SURETY. Reminisce is
a therapeutic communication technique, especiall y when used with the
elderl y. Reassuring can be therapeutic if the nurse reassures patients
that there are many kinds of hope and that meaning and personal
growth can come from illness experiences. However, false reassurance
can block communication.
