, Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in Nursing
Chapter 2: The Client-Nurse Relationship: A Helping Relationship
Chapter 3: Solving Problems Together
Chapter 4: Understanding Each Other: Communication and Culture
Chapter 5: Demonstrating Warmth
Chapter 6: Showing Respect
Chapter 7: Being Genuine
Chapter 8: Being Empathetic
Chapter 9: Using Self-Disclosure
Chapter 10: Being specific
Chapter 11: Asking Questions
Chapter 12: Expressing Opinions
Chapter 13: Using Humor
Chapter 14: Embracing the Spiritual Journey of Health Caring, Meaning Making
Chapter 15: Requesting Support
Chapter 16: Overcoming Evaluation Anxiety
Chapter 17: Working with Feedback
Chapter 18: Using Relaxation technique
Chapter 19: Incorporating Imagery in Professional Practice and Self-Care
Chapter 20 Incorporating Positive Self-Talk
Chapter 21: Learning to Work Together in Groups
Chapter 22: The Changing World of Electronic Communication
Chapter 23: Learning Confrontation skills
Chapter 24: Refusing Unreasonable Requests
Chapter 25: Communicating Assertively and Responsibly with Distressed Clients and Colleagues
Chapter 26: Communicating Assertively and Responsibly with Aggressive Clients and Colleagues
Chapter 27: Communicating Assertively and Responsibly with Unpopular Clients
Chapter 29: Communicating at the End-of-Life
Chapter 30: Continuing the Commitment
,Balzer Riley: Communication in Nursing, 10th Edition
Chapter 1: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in Nursing
Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. 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
2. 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
irrational beliefs. Irrational beliefs occur as a result of being anxious about assertiveness or
focusing on possible negative outcomes.DIF: Analysis REF: p. 8 TOP: Integrated Process:
Communication and Documentation MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment:
Management of Care
, 3. A nurse manager offers a staff nurse a choice between working 8- or 12-hour shifts.
Which statement, if made by the staff nurse, is nonassertive and may result in a
frustrated response from the nurse manager?
a. “I want to decide the shifts for all of the other staff nurses.”
b. “Do whatever you want. It doesn’t really matter to me.”
c. “Thank you for offering me a choice. I prefer 12-hour shifts.”
d. “You will never be able to give me what I really want to work.”
ANS:B
A statement that allows others to make decisions for a person is an example of a
nonassertive style of communication; the response of others to a nonassertive statement
may include disrespect, guilt, anger, or frustration. Statements that make choices for others
or that are accusations are examples of aggressive styles of communication; the response
of others to an aggressive statement may include hurt, defensiveness, or humiliation. A
statement that allows making one’s own decisions is an example of assertive style of
communication; the response of others to an assertive statement may include mutual
respect.DIF: Analysis REF: p. 7 TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and
Documentation MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4. The nurse is providing care to a patient who was admitted with heart failure. The
patient has not been following the prescribed diet or taking the prescribed medications.
Which type of communication approach is most important for the nurse to use with this
patient to facilitate a change in self-care behavior?
a. Authoritative, honest, and outright communication
b. Assertive, responsible, and caring communication
c. Aggressive, sympathetic, and realistic communication
d. Positive, expert, and focused communication
ANS:B
Communication must be technically responsible, assertive, and caring to facilitate a change
in behavior.DIF: Knowledge/Comprehension REF: p. 13 TOP: Integrated Process:
Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
5. Which are examples of a nurse who is communicating responsibly? (Select all
that apply)
a. The nurse uses profanity to respond to a client who is intoxicated and verbally
abusive.
b. The nurse helps a client talk to family members about discontinuing
chemotherapy.
Chapter 1: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in Nursing
Chapter 2: The Client-Nurse Relationship: A Helping Relationship
Chapter 3: Solving Problems Together
Chapter 4: Understanding Each Other: Communication and Culture
Chapter 5: Demonstrating Warmth
Chapter 6: Showing Respect
Chapter 7: Being Genuine
Chapter 8: Being Empathetic
Chapter 9: Using Self-Disclosure
Chapter 10: Being specific
Chapter 11: Asking Questions
Chapter 12: Expressing Opinions
Chapter 13: Using Humor
Chapter 14: Embracing the Spiritual Journey of Health Caring, Meaning Making
Chapter 15: Requesting Support
Chapter 16: Overcoming Evaluation Anxiety
Chapter 17: Working with Feedback
Chapter 18: Using Relaxation technique
Chapter 19: Incorporating Imagery in Professional Practice and Self-Care
Chapter 20 Incorporating Positive Self-Talk
Chapter 21: Learning to Work Together in Groups
Chapter 22: The Changing World of Electronic Communication
Chapter 23: Learning Confrontation skills
Chapter 24: Refusing Unreasonable Requests
Chapter 25: Communicating Assertively and Responsibly with Distressed Clients and Colleagues
Chapter 26: Communicating Assertively and Responsibly with Aggressive Clients and Colleagues
Chapter 27: Communicating Assertively and Responsibly with Unpopular Clients
Chapter 29: Communicating at the End-of-Life
Chapter 30: Continuing the Commitment
,Balzer Riley: Communication in Nursing, 10th Edition
Chapter 1: Responsible, Assertive, Caring Communication in Nursing
Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. 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
2. 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
irrational beliefs. Irrational beliefs occur as a result of being anxious about assertiveness or
focusing on possible negative outcomes.DIF: Analysis REF: p. 8 TOP: Integrated Process:
Communication and Documentation MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment:
Management of Care
, 3. A nurse manager offers a staff nurse a choice between working 8- or 12-hour shifts.
Which statement, if made by the staff nurse, is nonassertive and may result in a
frustrated response from the nurse manager?
a. “I want to decide the shifts for all of the other staff nurses.”
b. “Do whatever you want. It doesn’t really matter to me.”
c. “Thank you for offering me a choice. I prefer 12-hour shifts.”
d. “You will never be able to give me what I really want to work.”
ANS:B
A statement that allows others to make decisions for a person is an example of a
nonassertive style of communication; the response of others to a nonassertive statement
may include disrespect, guilt, anger, or frustration. Statements that make choices for others
or that are accusations are examples of aggressive styles of communication; the response
of others to an aggressive statement may include hurt, defensiveness, or humiliation. A
statement that allows making one’s own decisions is an example of assertive style of
communication; the response of others to an assertive statement may include mutual
respect.DIF: Analysis REF: p. 7 TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and
Documentation MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4. The nurse is providing care to a patient who was admitted with heart failure. The
patient has not been following the prescribed diet or taking the prescribed medications.
Which type of communication approach is most important for the nurse to use with this
patient to facilitate a change in self-care behavior?
a. Authoritative, honest, and outright communication
b. Assertive, responsible, and caring communication
c. Aggressive, sympathetic, and realistic communication
d. Positive, expert, and focused communication
ANS:B
Communication must be technically responsible, assertive, and caring to facilitate a change
in behavior.DIF: Knowledge/Comprehension REF: p. 13 TOP: Integrated Process:
Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
5. Which are examples of a nurse who is communicating responsibly? (Select all
that apply)
a. The nurse uses profanity to respond to a client who is intoxicated and verbally
abusive.
b. The nurse helps a client talk to family members about discontinuing
chemotherapy.
