TERMINOLOGY GET
CONNECTED 3RD EDITION
FRUCHT 2025 LATEST EDITION
, 1. The nurse is conducting an interview with a woman who has recently learned that she is
pregnant and has come to the clinic today to begin prenatal care. The woman states that she
and her husband are excited about the pregnancy but have a few questions. She looks
nervously at her hands during the interview and sighs loudly. Considering the concept of
communication, which statement does the nurse know to be most accurate?
The woman is:
a. Excited about her pregnancy but nervous about the labour
b. Exhibiting verbal and nonverbal behaviours that do not match
c. Excited about her pregnancy, but her husband is not and this is upsetting to her
d. Not excited about her pregnancy but believes the nurse will respond to her negatively if
she states this
ANS: B
Communication involves all behaviours—conscious and unconscious, verbal and nonverbal.
All behaviours have meaning. Her behaviour does not imply that she is nervous about labour,
upset by her husband, or worried about the nurse’s response. The nurse needs to further
explore the behaviour through the use of open-ended questions.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing (Analysis)
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
2. Receiving is a part of the communication process. Which receiver is most likely to misinterpret
a message sent by a health care professional?
a. Well-adjusted adolescent, who came in for a sports physical
b. Recovering alcoholic, who came in for a basic physical examination
c. Man whose wife has just been diagnosed with lung cancer
d. Man with a hearing impairment, who uses sign language to communicate and who has an
interpreter with him
ANS: C
The receiver attaches meaning determined by his or her experiences, culture, self-concept, and
current physical and emotional states. The man whose wife has just been diagnosed with lung
cancer may be experiencing emotions that affect his receiving.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing (Analysis)
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
3. The nurse makes which adjustment in the physical environment to promote the success of an
interview?
a. Reduces noise by turning off televisions and radios
b. Reduces the distance between the interviewer and the patient to 1 m or less
c. Provides a dim light that makes the room cozy and helps the patient relax
d. Arranges seating across a desk or table to allow the patient some personal space
, ANS: A
The nurse should reduce noise by turning off the television, radio, and other unnecessary
equipment because multiple stimuli will be confusing to the patient. The interviewer and
patient should be approximately 1.5 m apart; the room should be well lit, enabling the
interviewer and the patient to see each other clearly. Having a table or desk between the two
parties creates the idea of a barrier; equal-status seating, at eye level, is better.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
4. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid memory later. Which
statement regarding note taking is true?
a. Note taking may impede the nurse’s observation of the patient’s nonverbal behaviours.
b. Note taking allows the patient to continue at his or her own pace as the nurse records what
is said.
c. Note taking allows the nurse to shift attention away from the patient, resulting in an
increased comfort level.
d. Note taking allows the nurse to break eye contact with the patient, which may increase his
or her level of comfort.
ANS: A
The use of history forms and note taking may be unavoidable. However, the nurse must be
aware that note taking during the interview has disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often
and shifts the attention away from the patient, which diminishes his or her sense of
importance. Note taking may also interrupt the patient’s narrative flow, and it impedes the
observation of the patient’s nonverbal behaviour.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
5. The nurse asks, “I would like to ask you some questions about your health and your usual daily
activities so that we can better plan your stay here.” This question is found at the __________
phase of the interview process. a. Summary
b. Closing
c. Body
d. Opening or introduction
ANS: D
When gathering a complete history, the nurse should give the reason for the interview during
the opening or introduction phase of the interview, not during or at the end of the interview.