Pediatric Nursing Exam 1 Practice |
Pediatric Communication, Development
& Therapeutic Interviewing | Practice
Exam Questions & Verified Answers
Section I: Pediatric Communication & Therapeutic Interviewing
1. The nurse is seeing an adolescent and the parents in the clinic for the first time. Which
should the nurse do first?
A) Introduce him- or herself.
B) Make the family comfortable.
C) Give assurance of privacy.
D) Explain the purpose of the interview.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The first thing that nurses must do is to introduce themselves to the patient and
family. Parents and other adults should be addressed with appropriate titles unless they specify
a preferred name. Clarification of the purpose of the interview and the nurse's role is the
second thing that should be done. General conversation helps make the family feel at ease .
2. Which is considered a block to effective communication?
A) Using silence
B) Using clichés
C) Directing the focus
D) Defining the problem
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using stereotyped comments or clichés can block effective communication. After the
nurse uses such trite phrases, parents often do not respond. Silence can be an effective
interviewing tool. To be effective, the nurse must be able to direct the focus of the interview
while allowing maximum freedom of expression. The nurse and parent must collaborate and
define the problem .
3. Which is the single most important factor to consider when communicating with children?
,A) Presence of the child's parent
B) Child's physical condition
C) Child's developmental level
D) Child's nonverbal behaviors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse must be aware of the child's developmental stage to engage in effective
communication. The use of both verbal and nonverbal communication should be appropriate to
the developmental level. Although the child's physical condition is a consideration,
developmental level is much more important. The presence of parents is important when
communicating with young children but may be detrimental when speaking with adolescents .
4. Because children younger than 5 years are egocentric, the nurse should do which when
communicating with them?
A) Focus communication on the child.
B) Use easy analogies when possible.
C) Explain experiences of others to the child.
D) Assure the child that communication is private.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Because children of this age are able to see things only in terms of themselves, the
best approach is to focus communication directly on them. Children should be provided with
information about what they can do and how they will feel. With children who are egocentric,
analogies, experiences, and assurances that communication is private will not be effective
because the child is not capable of understanding .
5. The nurse's approach when introducing hospital equipment to a preschooler who seems
afraid should be based on which principle?
A) The child may think the equipment is alive.
B) Explaining the equipment will only increase the child's fear.
C) One brief explanation will be enough to reduce the child's fear.
D) The child is too young to understand what the equipment does.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Young children attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects. They often fear
that the objects may jump, bite, cut, or pinch all by themselves without human direction.
Equipment should be kept out of sight until needed. Simple, concrete explanations about what
, the equipment does and how it will feel will help alleviate the child's fear. Preschoolers need
repeated explanations as reassurance .
6. When the nurse interviews an adolescent, which is especially important?
A) Focus the discussion on the peer group.
B) Allow an opportunity to express feelings.
C) Use the same type of language as the adolescent.
D) Emphasize that confidentiality will always be maintained.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adolescents, like all children, need opportunities to express their feelings. Often they
interject feelings into their words. The nurse must be alert to the words and feelings expressed.
The nurse should maintain a professional relationship with adolescents. To avoid
misunderstanding or misinterpretation of words and phrases used, the nurse should clarify the
terms used .
7. While interviewing parents who have just arrived in the healthcare clinic, the nurse begins
the interview. Which of the following statements involve therapeutic communication
techniques? Select all that apply.
A) Allow the parents to direct the conversation so that they feel comfortable and in control
B) Use broad, open-ended questions so that parents can feel open to discuss issues
C) Redirect by asking guided questions to keep the parents on task
D) Use careful listening, which relies on the use of clues and verbal leads to help move the
conversation along
E) Ask carefully worded, detailed questions to get accurate information
Correct Answer: B, C, D
Rationale: Therapeutic communication techniques include using broad, open-ended questions,
redirecting with guided questions, and careful listening with clues and verbal leads. Allowing
parents to direct the conversation and asking detailed questions are not considered therapeutic
techniques .
8. The nurse is caring for a non-English-speaking child and family. Which should the nurse
consider when using an interpreter?
A) Pose several questions at a time.
B) Use medical jargon when possible.
C) Communicate directly with family members when asking questions.
D) Carry on some communication in English with the interpreter about the family's needs.
Pediatric Communication, Development
& Therapeutic Interviewing | Practice
Exam Questions & Verified Answers
Section I: Pediatric Communication & Therapeutic Interviewing
1. The nurse is seeing an adolescent and the parents in the clinic for the first time. Which
should the nurse do first?
A) Introduce him- or herself.
B) Make the family comfortable.
C) Give assurance of privacy.
D) Explain the purpose of the interview.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The first thing that nurses must do is to introduce themselves to the patient and
family. Parents and other adults should be addressed with appropriate titles unless they specify
a preferred name. Clarification of the purpose of the interview and the nurse's role is the
second thing that should be done. General conversation helps make the family feel at ease .
2. Which is considered a block to effective communication?
A) Using silence
B) Using clichés
C) Directing the focus
D) Defining the problem
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using stereotyped comments or clichés can block effective communication. After the
nurse uses such trite phrases, parents often do not respond. Silence can be an effective
interviewing tool. To be effective, the nurse must be able to direct the focus of the interview
while allowing maximum freedom of expression. The nurse and parent must collaborate and
define the problem .
3. Which is the single most important factor to consider when communicating with children?
,A) Presence of the child's parent
B) Child's physical condition
C) Child's developmental level
D) Child's nonverbal behaviors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse must be aware of the child's developmental stage to engage in effective
communication. The use of both verbal and nonverbal communication should be appropriate to
the developmental level. Although the child's physical condition is a consideration,
developmental level is much more important. The presence of parents is important when
communicating with young children but may be detrimental when speaking with adolescents .
4. Because children younger than 5 years are egocentric, the nurse should do which when
communicating with them?
A) Focus communication on the child.
B) Use easy analogies when possible.
C) Explain experiences of others to the child.
D) Assure the child that communication is private.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Because children of this age are able to see things only in terms of themselves, the
best approach is to focus communication directly on them. Children should be provided with
information about what they can do and how they will feel. With children who are egocentric,
analogies, experiences, and assurances that communication is private will not be effective
because the child is not capable of understanding .
5. The nurse's approach when introducing hospital equipment to a preschooler who seems
afraid should be based on which principle?
A) The child may think the equipment is alive.
B) Explaining the equipment will only increase the child's fear.
C) One brief explanation will be enough to reduce the child's fear.
D) The child is too young to understand what the equipment does.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Young children attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects. They often fear
that the objects may jump, bite, cut, or pinch all by themselves without human direction.
Equipment should be kept out of sight until needed. Simple, concrete explanations about what
, the equipment does and how it will feel will help alleviate the child's fear. Preschoolers need
repeated explanations as reassurance .
6. When the nurse interviews an adolescent, which is especially important?
A) Focus the discussion on the peer group.
B) Allow an opportunity to express feelings.
C) Use the same type of language as the adolescent.
D) Emphasize that confidentiality will always be maintained.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adolescents, like all children, need opportunities to express their feelings. Often they
interject feelings into their words. The nurse must be alert to the words and feelings expressed.
The nurse should maintain a professional relationship with adolescents. To avoid
misunderstanding or misinterpretation of words and phrases used, the nurse should clarify the
terms used .
7. While interviewing parents who have just arrived in the healthcare clinic, the nurse begins
the interview. Which of the following statements involve therapeutic communication
techniques? Select all that apply.
A) Allow the parents to direct the conversation so that they feel comfortable and in control
B) Use broad, open-ended questions so that parents can feel open to discuss issues
C) Redirect by asking guided questions to keep the parents on task
D) Use careful listening, which relies on the use of clues and verbal leads to help move the
conversation along
E) Ask carefully worded, detailed questions to get accurate information
Correct Answer: B, C, D
Rationale: Therapeutic communication techniques include using broad, open-ended questions,
redirecting with guided questions, and careful listening with clues and verbal leads. Allowing
parents to direct the conversation and asking detailed questions are not considered therapeutic
techniques .
8. The nurse is caring for a non-English-speaking child and family. Which should the nurse
consider when using an interpreter?
A) Pose several questions at a time.
B) Use medical jargon when possible.
C) Communicate directly with family members when asking questions.
D) Carry on some communication in English with the interpreter about the family's needs.
