NR-446 – Collaborative Healthcare | Interprofessional
Healthcare Study Guide Team-Based Care,
Communication Strategies, Leadership Skills, and
Comprehensive Nursing Review Questions with
Detailed Rationales | Latest 2025–2026 Update
Question 1
A nurse is using SBAR to communicate with a physician about a patient's change
in condition. What is the correct order of SBAR?
A. Background, Situation, Assessment, Recommendation
B. Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
C. Assessment, Situation, Background, Recommendation
D. Situation, Assessment, Background, Recommendation
Answer: B. Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
Rationale: SBAR stands for Situation (what is happening now), Background
(relevant clinical context), Assessment (what the nurse thinks is happening), and
Recommendation (what the nurse suggests). This standardized communication tool
reduces errors and improves clarity in handoff communications.
Question 2
A nurse feels that a physician's order is unsafe. Which communication tool should
the nurse use to express concern?
A. SBAR
B. CUS (Concerned, Uncomfortable, Safety)
C. Closed-loop communication
D. Briefing
Answer: B. CUS (Concerned, Uncomfortable, Safety)
Rationale: CUS is a communication tool used to escalate concerns in a non-
confrontational way: "I am Concerned," "I am Uncomfortable," "This is a Safety
,issue." If the concern is not addressed, the nurse should escalate to a supervisor.
This tool is part of TeamSTEPPS.
Question 3
Which communication technique ensures that the receiver has correctly understood
the message?
A. Closed-loop communication
B. Open-ended questions
C. Active listening
D. Reflection
Answer: A. Closed-loop communication
Rationale: Closed-loop communication involves the sender delivering the
message, the receiver acknowledging receipt, and the sender verifying that the
message was understood correctly. This technique reduces errors and ensures
accuracy in critical communications, such as verbal orders or critical lab values.
Question 4
A nurse receives a verbal order from a physician for a new medication. What is the
MOST appropriate nursing action?
A. Repeat the order back to the physician and document as a read-back
B. Write the order down and administer the medication
C. Ask another nurse to verify the order
D. Enter the order in the electronic health record without verification
Answer: A. Repeat the order back to the physician and document as a read-
back
Rationale: Verbal orders require read-back verification to prevent errors. The
nurse should write the order, read it back to the physician, and confirm accuracy.
This is a safety standard recommended by The Joint Commission.
Question 5
What is the primary purpose of interprofessional communication?
,A. To provide instructions from physicians to nurses
B. To ensure safe, efficient, and patient-centered care
C. To document patient information
D. To complete administrative tasks
Answer: B. To ensure safe, efficient, and patient-centered care
Rationale: Interprofessional communication ensures that all team members share
information effectively, reducing errors and improving patient outcomes. It is
essential for collaborative practice and patient safety.
Question 6
A patient is being discharged from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility. Which
communication method is MOST appropriate for ensuring continuity of care?
A. Handoff communication using a standardized tool
B. Telephone call only
C. Written discharge summary only
D. Verbal report to the patient only
Answer: A. Handoff communication using a standardized tool
Rationale: Standardized handoff communication ensures that essential information
is transferred accurately between healthcare providers and settings. The Joint
Commission recommends using a structured format (SBAR, I-PASS) for all
handoffs.
Question 7
A nurse overhears another team member discussing a patient's condition in the
elevator. What is the MOST appropriate nursing action?
A. Join the conversation
B. Remind the team member that this violates patient confidentiality
C. Ignore the conversation
D. Report the team member immediately
Answer: B. Remind the team member that this violates patient confidentiality
, Rationale: Discussing patient information in public spaces violates HIPAA
privacy regulations. The nurse should remind the team member of confidentiality
requirements privately and respectfully. If behavior continues, it should be
reported.
Question 8
Which of the following is an example of a communication "huddle" in healthcare?
A. A formal team meeting at the end of the shift
B. A brief, ad-hoc meeting to address immediate issues or changes in patient
condition
C. A patient care conference
D. A staff orientation session
Answer: B. A brief, ad-hoc meeting to address immediate issues or changes in
patient condition
Rationale: A huddle is a brief, ad-hoc meeting used in healthcare to address
immediate issues, share critical information, or coordinate care. Huddles are an
essential TeamSTEPPS tool for improving team communication and situational
awareness.
Question 9
What is the primary barrier to effective interprofessional communication?
A. Standardized communication tools
B. Hierarchical structures and professional silos
C. Electronic health records
D. Patient involvement in care
Answer: B. Hierarchical structures and professional silos
Rationale: Hierarchical structures and professional silos can create barriers to
open communication, where team members may be reluctant to speak up or
challenge decisions due to perceived power differences. This is a major factor in
preventable medical errors.
Healthcare Study Guide Team-Based Care,
Communication Strategies, Leadership Skills, and
Comprehensive Nursing Review Questions with
Detailed Rationales | Latest 2025–2026 Update
Question 1
A nurse is using SBAR to communicate with a physician about a patient's change
in condition. What is the correct order of SBAR?
A. Background, Situation, Assessment, Recommendation
B. Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
C. Assessment, Situation, Background, Recommendation
D. Situation, Assessment, Background, Recommendation
Answer: B. Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
Rationale: SBAR stands for Situation (what is happening now), Background
(relevant clinical context), Assessment (what the nurse thinks is happening), and
Recommendation (what the nurse suggests). This standardized communication tool
reduces errors and improves clarity in handoff communications.
Question 2
A nurse feels that a physician's order is unsafe. Which communication tool should
the nurse use to express concern?
A. SBAR
B. CUS (Concerned, Uncomfortable, Safety)
C. Closed-loop communication
D. Briefing
Answer: B. CUS (Concerned, Uncomfortable, Safety)
Rationale: CUS is a communication tool used to escalate concerns in a non-
confrontational way: "I am Concerned," "I am Uncomfortable," "This is a Safety
,issue." If the concern is not addressed, the nurse should escalate to a supervisor.
This tool is part of TeamSTEPPS.
Question 3
Which communication technique ensures that the receiver has correctly understood
the message?
A. Closed-loop communication
B. Open-ended questions
C. Active listening
D. Reflection
Answer: A. Closed-loop communication
Rationale: Closed-loop communication involves the sender delivering the
message, the receiver acknowledging receipt, and the sender verifying that the
message was understood correctly. This technique reduces errors and ensures
accuracy in critical communications, such as verbal orders or critical lab values.
Question 4
A nurse receives a verbal order from a physician for a new medication. What is the
MOST appropriate nursing action?
A. Repeat the order back to the physician and document as a read-back
B. Write the order down and administer the medication
C. Ask another nurse to verify the order
D. Enter the order in the electronic health record without verification
Answer: A. Repeat the order back to the physician and document as a read-
back
Rationale: Verbal orders require read-back verification to prevent errors. The
nurse should write the order, read it back to the physician, and confirm accuracy.
This is a safety standard recommended by The Joint Commission.
Question 5
What is the primary purpose of interprofessional communication?
,A. To provide instructions from physicians to nurses
B. To ensure safe, efficient, and patient-centered care
C. To document patient information
D. To complete administrative tasks
Answer: B. To ensure safe, efficient, and patient-centered care
Rationale: Interprofessional communication ensures that all team members share
information effectively, reducing errors and improving patient outcomes. It is
essential for collaborative practice and patient safety.
Question 6
A patient is being discharged from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility. Which
communication method is MOST appropriate for ensuring continuity of care?
A. Handoff communication using a standardized tool
B. Telephone call only
C. Written discharge summary only
D. Verbal report to the patient only
Answer: A. Handoff communication using a standardized tool
Rationale: Standardized handoff communication ensures that essential information
is transferred accurately between healthcare providers and settings. The Joint
Commission recommends using a structured format (SBAR, I-PASS) for all
handoffs.
Question 7
A nurse overhears another team member discussing a patient's condition in the
elevator. What is the MOST appropriate nursing action?
A. Join the conversation
B. Remind the team member that this violates patient confidentiality
C. Ignore the conversation
D. Report the team member immediately
Answer: B. Remind the team member that this violates patient confidentiality
, Rationale: Discussing patient information in public spaces violates HIPAA
privacy regulations. The nurse should remind the team member of confidentiality
requirements privately and respectfully. If behavior continues, it should be
reported.
Question 8
Which of the following is an example of a communication "huddle" in healthcare?
A. A formal team meeting at the end of the shift
B. A brief, ad-hoc meeting to address immediate issues or changes in patient
condition
C. A patient care conference
D. A staff orientation session
Answer: B. A brief, ad-hoc meeting to address immediate issues or changes in
patient condition
Rationale: A huddle is a brief, ad-hoc meeting used in healthcare to address
immediate issues, share critical information, or coordinate care. Huddles are an
essential TeamSTEPPS tool for improving team communication and situational
awareness.
Question 9
What is the primary barrier to effective interprofessional communication?
A. Standardized communication tools
B. Hierarchical structures and professional silos
C. Electronic health records
D. Patient involvement in care
Answer: B. Hierarchical structures and professional silos
Rationale: Hierarchical structures and professional silos can create barriers to
open communication, where team members may be reluctant to speak up or
challenge decisions due to perceived power differences. This is a major factor in
preventable medical errors.
