Chapter 04: Communication
Cooper: Foundation of Nursing
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Although the patient denies pain, the nurse observes the patient breathing rapidly with
clenched fists and facial grimacing. What is the nurse’s best response to these observations?
a. “I am glad you are feeling better and have no discomfort.”
b. “Where do you hurt?”
c. “What you are saying and what I am observing don’t seem to match.”
d. “It makes me uncomfortable when you are not honest with me.”
ANS: C
The nonverbal communication should be clarified to prevent miscommunication.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 69 OBJ: 2 | 3
TOP: Communication KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. The nurse considers the feelings and needs of a patient by stating, “I know you are concerned
about your surgery tomorrow. How can I help you?” What type of communication is this?
a. Intrusive
b. Aggressive
c. Closed
d. Assertive
ANS: D
Assertive communication takes a patient’s feelings and needs into account, yet honors the
patient’s rights as an individual.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 63 OBJ: 4
TOP: Communication KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity
3. What does therapeutic communication accomplish?
a. Facilitates the formation of a positive nurse-patient relationship.
b. Manipulates the patient.
c. Assigns the patient a passive role.
d. Requires the patient to accept what the nurse says.
ANS: A
A positive nurse-patient relationship is facilitated by therapeutic communication.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 64 OBJ: 10
TOP: Communication KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
4. The nurse is sitting in a chair near the patient’s bed, leaning forward to hear what the patient is
saying, and does not interrupt. What is the nurse demonstrating?
a. Support
b. Caring
, c. Active listening
d. Interest
ANS: C
When demonstrating active listening, the nurse must give his or her full attention and make an
effort to understand both the verbal and nonverbal message.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 65 OBJ: 5
TOP: Communication KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity
5. What therapeutic communication technique requires a great deal of skill and is not used as
frequently as other communication techniques?
a. Touch
b. Silence
c. Listening
d. Summarizing
ANS: B
Silence is an extremely effective therapeutic communication skill that is frequently underused
because the nurse feels uncomfortable applying it.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 65 OBJ: 5
TOP: Communication KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
6. A patient does not speak English; therefore, the nurse cannot use words to provide comfort
during a painful procedure. What is another intervention that may provide comfort to this
patient?
a. Silence
b. Listening
c. Touch
d. Restating
ANS: C
Holding the hand of a non–English-speaking patient is effective and comforting.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 76 OBJ: 9
TOP: Communication KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity
7. A patient states, “I do cocaine when I feel things are out of my control.” The nurse responds
by asking, “What else does cocaine do for you?” What communication skill does this
exemplify?
a. Summarization
b. Restating
c. Showing acceptance
d. Stating observations
ANS: C
Acceptance is the willingness to listen and respond to what the patient is saying without
passing judgment.
Cooper: Foundation of Nursing
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Although the patient denies pain, the nurse observes the patient breathing rapidly with
clenched fists and facial grimacing. What is the nurse’s best response to these observations?
a. “I am glad you are feeling better and have no discomfort.”
b. “Where do you hurt?”
c. “What you are saying and what I am observing don’t seem to match.”
d. “It makes me uncomfortable when you are not honest with me.”
ANS: C
The nonverbal communication should be clarified to prevent miscommunication.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 69 OBJ: 2 | 3
TOP: Communication KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. The nurse considers the feelings and needs of a patient by stating, “I know you are concerned
about your surgery tomorrow. How can I help you?” What type of communication is this?
a. Intrusive
b. Aggressive
c. Closed
d. Assertive
ANS: D
Assertive communication takes a patient’s feelings and needs into account, yet honors the
patient’s rights as an individual.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 63 OBJ: 4
TOP: Communication KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity
3. What does therapeutic communication accomplish?
a. Facilitates the formation of a positive nurse-patient relationship.
b. Manipulates the patient.
c. Assigns the patient a passive role.
d. Requires the patient to accept what the nurse says.
ANS: A
A positive nurse-patient relationship is facilitated by therapeutic communication.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 64 OBJ: 10
TOP: Communication KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
4. The nurse is sitting in a chair near the patient’s bed, leaning forward to hear what the patient is
saying, and does not interrupt. What is the nurse demonstrating?
a. Support
b. Caring
, c. Active listening
d. Interest
ANS: C
When demonstrating active listening, the nurse must give his or her full attention and make an
effort to understand both the verbal and nonverbal message.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 65 OBJ: 5
TOP: Communication KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity
5. What therapeutic communication technique requires a great deal of skill and is not used as
frequently as other communication techniques?
a. Touch
b. Silence
c. Listening
d. Summarizing
ANS: B
Silence is an extremely effective therapeutic communication skill that is frequently underused
because the nurse feels uncomfortable applying it.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 65 OBJ: 5
TOP: Communication KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
6. A patient does not speak English; therefore, the nurse cannot use words to provide comfort
during a painful procedure. What is another intervention that may provide comfort to this
patient?
a. Silence
b. Listening
c. Touch
d. Restating
ANS: C
Holding the hand of a non–English-speaking patient is effective and comforting.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 76 OBJ: 9
TOP: Communication KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity
7. A patient states, “I do cocaine when I feel things are out of my control.” The nurse responds
by asking, “What else does cocaine do for you?” What communication skill does this
exemplify?
a. Summarization
b. Restating
c. Showing acceptance
d. Stating observations
ANS: C
Acceptance is the willingness to listen and respond to what the patient is saying without
passing judgment.
