,Balzer Riley: Communication in Nursing, 8th Edition
Chapter 1: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in Nursing
Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. 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.”
ANS: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: Analysis REF: p.
6 TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation MSC: Safe and Effective
Care Environment: Management of Care
2. A hospital nurse is concerned about the demands of providing safe care to clients
who are seriously ill. The nurse manager should suggest which intervention to
effectively help the nurse balance the demanding work in the hospital setting?
a. Delegate more tasks to the unlicensed nursing personnel on the unit.
b. Request a transfer to another nursing care unit with patients who are stable.
c. Write down stories in a journal about how caring makes a difference for patients.
d. Use an assertive communication style for every patient–nurse interaction.
ANS:C
dr.j
,Caring is the moral ideal that guides nurses through the caregiving process. Although
there is satisfaction in being technologically competent, that satisfaction is not as lasting
as the satisfaction derived from meaningful moments of connection with clients, family,
and colleagues.DIF: Application REF: p. 13 TOP: Integrated Process: CaringMSC: Safe
dr.j
, and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
3. Which nonverbal action(s) would be consistent with an assertive style of
communication? (Select all that apply)
a. Relaxed posture
b. Established eye contact
c. Hands placed on hips
d. Distant, soft voice
e. Mask-like facial expression
ANS:A, B
Assertive styles of communication that are nonverbal include a relaxed stance and eyes
that are warm, in contact, and frank. Aggressive styles of communication that are
nonverbal include expressionless, cold, narrowed, or staring eyes and hands placed on
hips. A weak, distant, soft voice is a nonassertive style of nonverbal communication.DIF:
Comprehension REF: pp. 11-12 TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and
Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
4. Which statement describes the affective aspect of learning effective
communication strategies?
a. “The nurse should use clear, direct statements using objective words.”
b. “The nurse uses body language that is congruent with the verbal message.”
c. “The nurse believes that positive communication strategies build confidence.”
d. “The nurse practices assertive and responsible communication strategies.”
ANS:C
Learning involves three domains: the cognitive aspects (understanding and meaning),
affective aspects (feelings, values, and attitudes), and psychomotor aspects (physical
capability).Learning basic communication skills involves the cognitive domain; building
confidence through a belief in the value and impact of positive communication is the
affective domain; and putting skills into action is the psychomotor domain.DIF:
Comprehension REF: p. 13 TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and
Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
5. 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?”
c. “I am not able to work an extra shift.”
d. “If you can’t find anyone else, I will do it.”
ANS:C
The staff nurse may turn down even a reasonable request; an assertive response avoids dr.j
Chapter 1: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in Nursing
Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. 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.”
ANS: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: Analysis REF: p.
6 TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation MSC: Safe and Effective
Care Environment: Management of Care
2. A hospital nurse is concerned about the demands of providing safe care to clients
who are seriously ill. The nurse manager should suggest which intervention to
effectively help the nurse balance the demanding work in the hospital setting?
a. Delegate more tasks to the unlicensed nursing personnel on the unit.
b. Request a transfer to another nursing care unit with patients who are stable.
c. Write down stories in a journal about how caring makes a difference for patients.
d. Use an assertive communication style for every patient–nurse interaction.
ANS:C
dr.j
,Caring is the moral ideal that guides nurses through the caregiving process. Although
there is satisfaction in being technologically competent, that satisfaction is not as lasting
as the satisfaction derived from meaningful moments of connection with clients, family,
and colleagues.DIF: Application REF: p. 13 TOP: Integrated Process: CaringMSC: Safe
dr.j
, and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
3. Which nonverbal action(s) would be consistent with an assertive style of
communication? (Select all that apply)
a. Relaxed posture
b. Established eye contact
c. Hands placed on hips
d. Distant, soft voice
e. Mask-like facial expression
ANS:A, B
Assertive styles of communication that are nonverbal include a relaxed stance and eyes
that are warm, in contact, and frank. Aggressive styles of communication that are
nonverbal include expressionless, cold, narrowed, or staring eyes and hands placed on
hips. A weak, distant, soft voice is a nonassertive style of nonverbal communication.DIF:
Comprehension REF: pp. 11-12 TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and
Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
4. Which statement describes the affective aspect of learning effective
communication strategies?
a. “The nurse should use clear, direct statements using objective words.”
b. “The nurse uses body language that is congruent with the verbal message.”
c. “The nurse believes that positive communication strategies build confidence.”
d. “The nurse practices assertive and responsible communication strategies.”
ANS:C
Learning involves three domains: the cognitive aspects (understanding and meaning),
affective aspects (feelings, values, and attitudes), and psychomotor aspects (physical
capability).Learning basic communication skills involves the cognitive domain; building
confidence through a belief in the value and impact of positive communication is the
affective domain; and putting skills into action is the psychomotor domain.DIF:
Comprehension REF: p. 13 TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and
Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
5. 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?”
c. “I am not able to work an extra shift.”
d. “If you can’t find anyone else, I will do it.”
ANS:C
The staff nurse may turn down even a reasonable request; an assertive response avoids dr.j
