Chapter 13. Assertiveness Training
Multiple Choice
1. During a psychoeducational group on assertiveness training, a client asks, Why do
we need to learn about this stuff? Which is the most appropriate nursing reply?
A. Because your doctor requires you to attend this group.
B. Being assertive is the ability to stand up for yourself while respecting the rights of
others. C. Assertiveness training teaches you how to ask for what you want, when you
want it.
D. Assertive people place the needs and rights of others before their own.
ANS: B
Assertiveness training assists people to maintain their own self-respect and meet their
needs while respecting the rights of others.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Implementation | Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
2. Two clients are roommates on an inpatient psychiatric unit. At breakfast, client A,
who had been missing her gold locket, notices client B wearing it. Which should a
nurse recognize as a nonassertive or passive behaviora response from client A?
A. Client A ignores the situation.
,B. Client A discusses the situation with her nurse and develops a plan of action. C.
Client A immediately approaches client B and pulls the necklace off her neck.
D. Client A offers to wash client Bs clothes and accidentally spills bleach in the water.
ANS: A
By ignoring the situation, client A avoids conflict, denies her feelings, and does not
assertively resolve the problem. This is an example of nonassertive behavior.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Assessment | Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
3. A client on an inpatient unit is angry with a peer. During lunch, when the peer is not
looking, the client spits into his soup. How would the nurse document this interaction?
A. Client is displaying assertive behaviors. B. Client is displaying aggressive behaviors.
C. Client is displaying passive behaviors.
D. Client is displaying passiveaggressive behaviors.
ANS: D
This response is passiveaggressive. The clients anger is expressed indirectly by
spitting in the soup when the peer is not looking.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Assessment | Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
4. A client continually waits more than an hour before being seen at the mental health
clinic. The client approaches the nurse and states, When I have to wait for more than
, an hour to be seen, I feel like my time is not important. The nurse recognizes this as
what type of behavior?
A. Aggressive behavior
B. Assertive behavior
C. Passiveaggressive behavior
D. Passive behavior
ANS: B
This response is assertive. The client is openly expressing feelings and attempting to
correct a stressful situation.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Assessment | Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
5. During an assertiveness training group, a client admits to aggressive behaviors. The
client asks for suggestions for how to become more assertive and less aggressive.
Which is the most appropriate nursing reply?
A. Several techniques, including meditation and progressive muscle relaxation, appear
helpful. B. Theres not much that can be done about aggressive behavior because of
biological responses.
C. Certain types of medications have been proven effective in promoting assertive
communication.
Multiple Choice
1. During a psychoeducational group on assertiveness training, a client asks, Why do
we need to learn about this stuff? Which is the most appropriate nursing reply?
A. Because your doctor requires you to attend this group.
B. Being assertive is the ability to stand up for yourself while respecting the rights of
others. C. Assertiveness training teaches you how to ask for what you want, when you
want it.
D. Assertive people place the needs and rights of others before their own.
ANS: B
Assertiveness training assists people to maintain their own self-respect and meet their
needs while respecting the rights of others.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Implementation | Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
2. Two clients are roommates on an inpatient psychiatric unit. At breakfast, client A,
who had been missing her gold locket, notices client B wearing it. Which should a
nurse recognize as a nonassertive or passive behaviora response from client A?
A. Client A ignores the situation.
,B. Client A discusses the situation with her nurse and develops a plan of action. C.
Client A immediately approaches client B and pulls the necklace off her neck.
D. Client A offers to wash client Bs clothes and accidentally spills bleach in the water.
ANS: A
By ignoring the situation, client A avoids conflict, denies her feelings, and does not
assertively resolve the problem. This is an example of nonassertive behavior.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Assessment | Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
3. A client on an inpatient unit is angry with a peer. During lunch, when the peer is not
looking, the client spits into his soup. How would the nurse document this interaction?
A. Client is displaying assertive behaviors. B. Client is displaying aggressive behaviors.
C. Client is displaying passive behaviors.
D. Client is displaying passiveaggressive behaviors.
ANS: D
This response is passiveaggressive. The clients anger is expressed indirectly by
spitting in the soup when the peer is not looking.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Assessment | Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
4. A client continually waits more than an hour before being seen at the mental health
clinic. The client approaches the nurse and states, When I have to wait for more than
, an hour to be seen, I feel like my time is not important. The nurse recognizes this as
what type of behavior?
A. Aggressive behavior
B. Assertive behavior
C. Passiveaggressive behavior
D. Passive behavior
ANS: B
This response is assertive. The client is openly expressing feelings and attempting to
correct a stressful situation.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Assessment | Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
5. During an assertiveness training group, a client admits to aggressive behaviors. The
client asks for suggestions for how to become more assertive and less aggressive.
Which is the most appropriate nursing reply?
A. Several techniques, including meditation and progressive muscle relaxation, appear
helpful. B. Theres not much that can be done about aggressive behavior because of
biological responses.
C. Certain types of medications have been proven effective in promoting assertive
communication.
