Test Bank For Communication in Nursing, 10th Edition
Chapter 01: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in Nursing
Chapter 01: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in
Nursing
1. A client has high blood pressure and needs to learn about a low-sodium diet. Which
question if asked by the client would be an indirect request for information?
a) “How should I prepare food without adding salt?”
b) “What will I do to make food taste better?”
c) “What diet changes are needed to control my blood pressure?”
*d) “What foods should I avoid that are high in sodium?”
General Feedback:
Indirect requests for information are not obvious, and the meaning must be
interpreted by the nurse. “What will I do to make food taste better?” is an indirect request
for information; the nurse must interpret this question as a request for information about a
low-sodium diet. The other questions are direct requests for information on a low-sodium
diet.
DIF: Applying
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
Feedback:
*d) Indirect requests for information are not obvious, and the meaning must
be interpreted by the nurse. “What will I do to make food taste better?” is an indirect
request for information; the nurse must interpret this question as a request for information
about a low-sodium diet. The other questions are direct requests for information on a
low-sodium diet.
DIF: Applying
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
2. The nurse plans to delegate a client’s personal hygiene to a nursing assistant. Which
statement if made by the nurse to the nursing assistant is assertive?
a) “Would you mind helping the client with a bath when you have time? If not, I
will skip my lunch and do it myself.”
b) “You never get your work done and are always on the phone. You need to help
the client right now with a bath, or I will write you up.”
*c) “The client needs help with bathing. I want you to assist the client now, and
you can go to lunch when you are finished.”
d) “I have important work to complete this morning. You will assist the client
with a bath. Do not take a break until you have finished.”
1
,Test Bank For Communication in Nursing, 10th Edition
Chapter 01: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in Nursing
General Feedback:
An assertive statement is clear, direct, and respectful; the nurse should use
assertive rights, avoid irrational beliefs, and use the Describe Express Specify
Consequence script to formulate an assertive response.
Describe: “The client needs help with bathing.”
Express and Specify: “I want you to assist the client now.”
Consequence: “You can go to lunch when you are finished.”
The other statements are nonassertive or aggressive:
“Would you mind helping the client with a bath when you have time? If not, I will skip my
lunch and do it myself.” is nonassertive, hesitant, and apologetic.
“You never get your work done and are always on the phone. You need to help the client
right now with a bath, or I will write you up.” is aggressive, blaming, and negative.
“I have important work to complete this morning. You will assist the client with a bath.
Do not take a break until you have finished.” is aggressive, sarcastic, uncaring, and
superior.
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Feedback:
*c) An assertive statement is clear, direct, and respectful; the nurse should
use assertive rights, avoid irrational beliefs, and use the Describe Express Specify
Consequence script to formulate an assertive response.
Describe: “The client needs help with bathing.”
Express and Specify: “I want you to assist the client now.”
Consequence: “You can go to lunch when you are finished.”
The other statements are nonassertive or aggressive:
“Would you mind helping the client with a bath when you have time? If not, I will skip my
lunch and do it myself.” is nonassertive, hesitant, and apologetic.
“You never get your work done and are always on the phone. You need to help the client
right now with a bath, or I will write you up.” is aggressive, blaming, and negative.
“I have important work to complete this morning. You will assist the client with a bath.
Do not take a break until you have finished.” is aggressive, sarcastic, uncaring, and
superior.
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
3. The nurse manager asks the staff nurse to work an extra shift. Which response by the
staff nurse is assertive and based on rational beliefs?
a) “I don’t want you upset, so I will work extra.”
b) “Why do I always have to cover extra shifts?”
2
,Test Bank For Communication in Nursing, 10th Edition
Chapter 01: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in Nursing
*c) “I am not able to work an extra shift.”
d) “If you can’t find anyone else, I will do it.”
General Feedback:
The staff nurse may turn down even a reasonable request; an assertive
response avoids irrational beliefs. Irrational beliefs result from being anxious about
assertiveness or focusing on possible negative outcomes.
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Feedback:
*c) The staff nurse may turn down even a reasonable request; an assertive
response avoids irrational beliefs. Irrational beliefs result from being anxious about
assertiveness or focusing on possible negative outcomes.
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4. The charge nurse informs a staff nurse that it is her turn to float to another unit. Which
response by the staff nurse is aggressive?
a) “I had such a bad experience last time. Please send another nurse instead of
me.”
b) “I will miss working with you today, but I understand that it is my turn to
float.”
c) “I will not survive on the other unit. The staff are always too busy to help me.”
*d) “I will float, but you’ll be sorry. You cannot handle emergencies without me.”
General Feedback:
An aggressive response is forceful and confrontational; the person using an
aggressive approach will place his or her needs first and respect for others is lacking. A
nonassertive response is apologetic; the person frequently puts himself or herself down.
An assertive response is clear, direct, confident, and honest.
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Feedback:
*d) An aggressive response is forceful and confrontational; the person using
an aggressive approach will place his or her needs first and respect for others is lacking.
A nonassertive response is apologetic; the person frequently puts himself or herself
down. An assertive response is clear, direct, confident, and honest.
3
, Test Bank For Communication in Nursing, 10th Edition
Chapter 01: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in Nursing
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
5. A nurse manager offers a staff nurse a choice between working 8- or 12-hour shifts.
Which statement, if made by the staff nurse, is nonassertive and may result in a frustrated
response from the nurse manager?
a) “I want to decide the shifts for all of the other staff nurses.”
*b) “Do whatever you want. It doesn’t really matter to me.”
c) “Thank you for offering me a choice. I prefer 12-hour shifts.”
d) “You will never be able to give me what I really want to work.”
General Feedback:
A statement that allows others to make decisions for a person is an example
of a nonassertive style of communication; the response of others to a nonassertive
statement may include disrespect, guilt, anger, or frustration. Statements that make
choices for others or that are accusations are examples of aggressive styles of
communication; the response of others to an aggressive statement may include hurt,
defensiveness, or humiliation. A statement that allows making one’s own decisions is an
example of assertive style of communication; the response of others to an assertive
statement may include mutual respect.
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Feedback:
*b) A statement that allows others to make decisions for a person is an
example of a nonassertive style of communication; the response of others to a
nonassertive statement may include disrespect, guilt, anger, or frustration. Statements that
make choices for others or that are accusations are examples of aggressive styles of
communication; the response of others to an aggressive statement may include hurt,
defensiveness, or humiliation. A statement that allows making one’s own decisions is an
example of assertive style of communication; the response of others to an assertive
statement may include mutual respect.
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4
Chapter 01: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in Nursing
Chapter 01: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in
Nursing
1. A client has high blood pressure and needs to learn about a low-sodium diet. Which
question if asked by the client would be an indirect request for information?
a) “How should I prepare food without adding salt?”
b) “What will I do to make food taste better?”
c) “What diet changes are needed to control my blood pressure?”
*d) “What foods should I avoid that are high in sodium?”
General Feedback:
Indirect requests for information are not obvious, and the meaning must be
interpreted by the nurse. “What will I do to make food taste better?” is an indirect request
for information; the nurse must interpret this question as a request for information about a
low-sodium diet. The other questions are direct requests for information on a low-sodium
diet.
DIF: Applying
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
Feedback:
*d) Indirect requests for information are not obvious, and the meaning must
be interpreted by the nurse. “What will I do to make food taste better?” is an indirect
request for information; the nurse must interpret this question as a request for information
about a low-sodium diet. The other questions are direct requests for information on a
low-sodium diet.
DIF: Applying
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
2. The nurse plans to delegate a client’s personal hygiene to a nursing assistant. Which
statement if made by the nurse to the nursing assistant is assertive?
a) “Would you mind helping the client with a bath when you have time? If not, I
will skip my lunch and do it myself.”
b) “You never get your work done and are always on the phone. You need to help
the client right now with a bath, or I will write you up.”
*c) “The client needs help with bathing. I want you to assist the client now, and
you can go to lunch when you are finished.”
d) “I have important work to complete this morning. You will assist the client
with a bath. Do not take a break until you have finished.”
1
,Test Bank For Communication in Nursing, 10th Edition
Chapter 01: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in Nursing
General Feedback:
An assertive statement is clear, direct, and respectful; the nurse should use
assertive rights, avoid irrational beliefs, and use the Describe Express Specify
Consequence script to formulate an assertive response.
Describe: “The client needs help with bathing.”
Express and Specify: “I want you to assist the client now.”
Consequence: “You can go to lunch when you are finished.”
The other statements are nonassertive or aggressive:
“Would you mind helping the client with a bath when you have time? If not, I will skip my
lunch and do it myself.” is nonassertive, hesitant, and apologetic.
“You never get your work done and are always on the phone. You need to help the client
right now with a bath, or I will write you up.” is aggressive, blaming, and negative.
“I have important work to complete this morning. You will assist the client with a bath.
Do not take a break until you have finished.” is aggressive, sarcastic, uncaring, and
superior.
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Feedback:
*c) An assertive statement is clear, direct, and respectful; the nurse should
use assertive rights, avoid irrational beliefs, and use the Describe Express Specify
Consequence script to formulate an assertive response.
Describe: “The client needs help with bathing.”
Express and Specify: “I want you to assist the client now.”
Consequence: “You can go to lunch when you are finished.”
The other statements are nonassertive or aggressive:
“Would you mind helping the client with a bath when you have time? If not, I will skip my
lunch and do it myself.” is nonassertive, hesitant, and apologetic.
“You never get your work done and are always on the phone. You need to help the client
right now with a bath, or I will write you up.” is aggressive, blaming, and negative.
“I have important work to complete this morning. You will assist the client with a bath.
Do not take a break until you have finished.” is aggressive, sarcastic, uncaring, and
superior.
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
3. The nurse manager asks the staff nurse to work an extra shift. Which response by the
staff nurse is assertive and based on rational beliefs?
a) “I don’t want you upset, so I will work extra.”
b) “Why do I always have to cover extra shifts?”
2
,Test Bank For Communication in Nursing, 10th Edition
Chapter 01: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in Nursing
*c) “I am not able to work an extra shift.”
d) “If you can’t find anyone else, I will do it.”
General Feedback:
The staff nurse may turn down even a reasonable request; an assertive
response avoids irrational beliefs. Irrational beliefs result from being anxious about
assertiveness or focusing on possible negative outcomes.
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Feedback:
*c) The staff nurse may turn down even a reasonable request; an assertive
response avoids irrational beliefs. Irrational beliefs result from being anxious about
assertiveness or focusing on possible negative outcomes.
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4. The charge nurse informs a staff nurse that it is her turn to float to another unit. Which
response by the staff nurse is aggressive?
a) “I had such a bad experience last time. Please send another nurse instead of
me.”
b) “I will miss working with you today, but I understand that it is my turn to
float.”
c) “I will not survive on the other unit. The staff are always too busy to help me.”
*d) “I will float, but you’ll be sorry. You cannot handle emergencies without me.”
General Feedback:
An aggressive response is forceful and confrontational; the person using an
aggressive approach will place his or her needs first and respect for others is lacking. A
nonassertive response is apologetic; the person frequently puts himself or herself down.
An assertive response is clear, direct, confident, and honest.
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Feedback:
*d) An aggressive response is forceful and confrontational; the person using
an aggressive approach will place his or her needs first and respect for others is lacking.
A nonassertive response is apologetic; the person frequently puts himself or herself
down. An assertive response is clear, direct, confident, and honest.
3
, Test Bank For Communication in Nursing, 10th Edition
Chapter 01: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in Nursing
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
5. A nurse manager offers a staff nurse a choice between working 8- or 12-hour shifts.
Which statement, if made by the staff nurse, is nonassertive and may result in a frustrated
response from the nurse manager?
a) “I want to decide the shifts for all of the other staff nurses.”
*b) “Do whatever you want. It doesn’t really matter to me.”
c) “Thank you for offering me a choice. I prefer 12-hour shifts.”
d) “You will never be able to give me what I really want to work.”
General Feedback:
A statement that allows others to make decisions for a person is an example
of a nonassertive style of communication; the response of others to a nonassertive
statement may include disrespect, guilt, anger, or frustration. Statements that make
choices for others or that are accusations are examples of aggressive styles of
communication; the response of others to an aggressive statement may include hurt,
defensiveness, or humiliation. A statement that allows making one’s own decisions is an
example of assertive style of communication; the response of others to an assertive
statement may include mutual respect.
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Feedback:
*b) A statement that allows others to make decisions for a person is an
example of a nonassertive style of communication; the response of others to a
nonassertive statement may include disrespect, guilt, anger, or frustration. Statements that
make choices for others or that are accusations are examples of aggressive styles of
communication; the response of others to an aggressive statement may include hurt,
defensiveness, or humiliation. A statement that allows making one’s own decisions is an
example of assertive style of communication; the response of others to an assertive
statement may include mutual respect.
DIF: Analyzing
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4
