WONGS ESSENTIALS OF PEDIATRIC NURSING 10TH EDITION HOCKENBERRY TEST BANK
Chapter 04: Communication and Physical Assessment of the Child and Family
Hockenberry: Wong’s Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is seeing an adolescent boy and his parents in the clinic for the first time. What
should the nurse do first?
a. Introduce self.
b. Make family comfortable.
c. Explain purpose of interview.
d. Give assurance of privacy.
ANS: A
The first thing that nurses should 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. During the initial part of the interview, the nurse should include general
conversation to help make the family feel at ease. Clarification of the purpose of the interview
and the nurse’s role is the next thing that should be done. The interview should take place in
an environment as free of distraction as possible. In addition, the nurse should clarify which
information will be shared with other members of the health care team and any limits to the
confidentiality.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: p. 57
TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
NURSINGTB.COM
MSC: Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
2. Which is most likely to encourage parents to talk about their feelings related to their child’s
illness?
a. Be sympathetic.
b. Use direct questions.
c. Use open-ended questions.
d. Avoid periods of silence.
ANS: C
Closed-ended questions should be avoided when attempting to elicit parents’ feelings.
Open-ended questions require the parent to respond with more than a brief answer. Sympathy
is having feelings or emotions in common with another person rather than understanding those
feelings (empathy). Sympathy is not therapeutic in helping the relationship. Direct questions
may obtain limited information. In addition, the parent may consider them threatening.
Silence can be an effective interviewing tool. It allows sharing of feelings in which two or
more people absorb the emotion in depth. Silence permits the interviewee to sort out thoughts
and feelings and search for responses to questions.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: p. 58
TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
TestBankWorld.org
NURSINGTB.COM
, WONGS ESSENTIALS OF PEDIATRIC NURSING 10TH EDITION HOCKENBERRY TEST BANK
3. Which communication technique should the nurse avoid when interviewing children and their
families?
a. Using silence
b. Using clichés
c. Directing the focus
d. Defining the problem
ANS: B
Using stereotyped comments or clichés can block effective communication, and this technique
should be avoided. After use of such trite phrases, parents will often not respond. Silence can
be an effective interviewing tool. Silence permits the interviewee to sort out thoughts and
feelings and search for responses to questions. To be effective, the nurse must be able to direct
the focus of the interview while allowing maximal freedom of expression. By using
open-ended questions, along with guiding questions, the nurse can obtain the necessary
information and maintain the relationship with the family. The nurse and parent must
collaborate and define the problem that will be the focus of the nursing intervention.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand REF: p. 59
TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
4. What is the single most important factor to consider when communicating with children?
a. The child’s physical condition
b. Presence or absence of the child’s parent
c. The child’s developmental level
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d. The child’s nonverbal behaviors
ANS: C
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 parents’ presence is important when
communicating with young children but may be detrimental when speaking with adolescents.
Nonverbal behaviors will vary in importance, based on the child’s developmental level.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand REF: p. 60
TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
5. Which approach would be best to use to ensure a positive response from a toddler?
a. Assume an eye-level position and talk quietly.
b. Call the toddler’s name while picking him or her up.
c. Call the toddler’s name and say, “I’m your nurse.”
d. Stand by the toddler, addressing him or her by name.
ANS: A
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, WONGS ESSENTIALS OF PEDIATRIC NURSING 10TH EDITION HOCKENBERRY TEST BANK
It is important that the nurse assume a position at the child’s level when communicating with
the child. By speaking quietly and focusing on the child, the nurse should be able to obtain a
positive response. The nurse should engage the child and inform the toddler what is going to
occur. If the nurse picks up the child without explanation, the child is most likely going to
become upset. The toddler may not understand the meaning of the phrase, “I’m your nurse.” If
a positive response is desired, the nurse should assume the child’s level when speaking if
possible.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: p. 60
TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
6. What is an important consideration for the nurse who is communicating with a very young
child?
a. Speak loudly, clearly, and directly.
b. Use transition objects, such as a doll.
c. Disguise own feelings, attitudes, and anxiety.
d. Initiate contact with child when parent is not present.
ANS: B
Using a transition object allows the young child an opportunity to evaluate an unfamiliar
person (the nurse). This will facilitate communication with a child this age. Speaking in this
manner will tend to increase anxiety in very young children. The nurse must be honest with
the child. Attempts at deception will lead to a lack of trust. Whenever possible, the parent
should be present for interactions with young children.
NURSINGTB.COM
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand REF: p. 61
TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
7. A nurse is preparing to assess a 3-year-old child. What communication technique should the
nurse use for this child?
a. Focus communication on child.
b. Explain experiences of others to child.
c. Use easy analogies when possible.
d. Assure child that communication is private.
ANS: A
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,
experiences of others, analogies, and assurances that the communication is private will not be
effective because the child is not capable of understanding.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: p. 61
TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
TestBankWorld.org
NURSINGTB.COM
Chapter 04: Communication and Physical Assessment of the Child and Family
Hockenberry: Wong’s Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is seeing an adolescent boy and his parents in the clinic for the first time. What
should the nurse do first?
a. Introduce self.
b. Make family comfortable.
c. Explain purpose of interview.
d. Give assurance of privacy.
ANS: A
The first thing that nurses should 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. During the initial part of the interview, the nurse should include general
conversation to help make the family feel at ease. Clarification of the purpose of the interview
and the nurse’s role is the next thing that should be done. The interview should take place in
an environment as free of distraction as possible. In addition, the nurse should clarify which
information will be shared with other members of the health care team and any limits to the
confidentiality.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: p. 57
TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
NURSINGTB.COM
MSC: Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
2. Which is most likely to encourage parents to talk about their feelings related to their child’s
illness?
a. Be sympathetic.
b. Use direct questions.
c. Use open-ended questions.
d. Avoid periods of silence.
ANS: C
Closed-ended questions should be avoided when attempting to elicit parents’ feelings.
Open-ended questions require the parent to respond with more than a brief answer. Sympathy
is having feelings or emotions in common with another person rather than understanding those
feelings (empathy). Sympathy is not therapeutic in helping the relationship. Direct questions
may obtain limited information. In addition, the parent may consider them threatening.
Silence can be an effective interviewing tool. It allows sharing of feelings in which two or
more people absorb the emotion in depth. Silence permits the interviewee to sort out thoughts
and feelings and search for responses to questions.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: p. 58
TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
TestBankWorld.org
NURSINGTB.COM
, WONGS ESSENTIALS OF PEDIATRIC NURSING 10TH EDITION HOCKENBERRY TEST BANK
3. Which communication technique should the nurse avoid when interviewing children and their
families?
a. Using silence
b. Using clichés
c. Directing the focus
d. Defining the problem
ANS: B
Using stereotyped comments or clichés can block effective communication, and this technique
should be avoided. After use of such trite phrases, parents will often not respond. Silence can
be an effective interviewing tool. Silence permits the interviewee to sort out thoughts and
feelings and search for responses to questions. To be effective, the nurse must be able to direct
the focus of the interview while allowing maximal freedom of expression. By using
open-ended questions, along with guiding questions, the nurse can obtain the necessary
information and maintain the relationship with the family. The nurse and parent must
collaborate and define the problem that will be the focus of the nursing intervention.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand REF: p. 59
TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
4. What is the single most important factor to consider when communicating with children?
a. The child’s physical condition
b. Presence or absence of the child’s parent
c. The child’s developmental level
NURSINGTB.COM
d. The child’s nonverbal behaviors
ANS: C
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 parents’ presence is important when
communicating with young children but may be detrimental when speaking with adolescents.
Nonverbal behaviors will vary in importance, based on the child’s developmental level.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand REF: p. 60
TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
5. Which approach would be best to use to ensure a positive response from a toddler?
a. Assume an eye-level position and talk quietly.
b. Call the toddler’s name while picking him or her up.
c. Call the toddler’s name and say, “I’m your nurse.”
d. Stand by the toddler, addressing him or her by name.
ANS: A
TestBankWorld.org
NURSINGTB.COM
, WONGS ESSENTIALS OF PEDIATRIC NURSING 10TH EDITION HOCKENBERRY TEST BANK
It is important that the nurse assume a position at the child’s level when communicating with
the child. By speaking quietly and focusing on the child, the nurse should be able to obtain a
positive response. The nurse should engage the child and inform the toddler what is going to
occur. If the nurse picks up the child without explanation, the child is most likely going to
become upset. The toddler may not understand the meaning of the phrase, “I’m your nurse.” If
a positive response is desired, the nurse should assume the child’s level when speaking if
possible.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: p. 60
TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
6. What is an important consideration for the nurse who is communicating with a very young
child?
a. Speak loudly, clearly, and directly.
b. Use transition objects, such as a doll.
c. Disguise own feelings, attitudes, and anxiety.
d. Initiate contact with child when parent is not present.
ANS: B
Using a transition object allows the young child an opportunity to evaluate an unfamiliar
person (the nurse). This will facilitate communication with a child this age. Speaking in this
manner will tend to increase anxiety in very young children. The nurse must be honest with
the child. Attempts at deception will lead to a lack of trust. Whenever possible, the parent
should be present for interactions with young children.
NURSINGTB.COM
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand REF: p. 61
TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
7. A nurse is preparing to assess a 3-year-old child. What communication technique should the
nurse use for this child?
a. Focus communication on child.
b. Explain experiences of others to child.
c. Use easy analogies when possible.
d. Assure child that communication is private.
ANS: A
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,
experiences of others, analogies, and assurances that the communication is private will not be
effective because the child is not capable of understanding.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: p. 61
TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
TestBankWorld.org
NURSINGTB.COM
