UTA FOUNDATIONS COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
2026 SOLVED QUESTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Non-therapeutic communication definition. Answer: Communication
that blocks trust, creates barriers, or prevents patient expression (e.g.,
clichés, giving advice, false reassurance).
◉ Examples of therapeutic communication techniques. Answer: Active
listening, silence, touch (when appropriate), clarifying, paraphrasing,
summarizing, offering self, open-ended questions.
◉ Examples of non-therapeutic communication techniques. Answer:
Closed questions, "why" questions, giving advice, changing the subject,
giving false reassurance, judgmental comments.
◉ Implication of verbal communication. Answer: Spoken or written
words; word choice, tone, clarity, pacing, and timing affect
understanding.
◉ Implication of nonverbal communication. Answer: Facial expressions,
posture, eye contact, gestures, touch, silence—often more powerful than
words.
,◉ Four levels of communication. Answer: Intrapersonal (self-talk),
Interpersonal (between two or more people), Small group,
Organizational.
◉ The helping relationship. Answer: Nurse-patient relationship built on
patient needs, unequal information sharing, requires trust and rapport.
◉ Phases of the helping relationship. Answer: Orientation (establish
tone, identify names, clarify roles, set agreement), Working (collaborate
to meet patient needs, provide teaching), Termination (evaluate goals,
transition care, encourage expression).
◉ Qualities that promote effective communication. Answer:
Friendliness, respect, empathy, genuine concern, competence, self-
confidence, patient-focused attitude.
◉ SBAR communication. Answer: Standardized tool for communicating
with providers: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.
◉ I-SBAR-R. Answer: Identify yourself/patient, Situation, Background,
Assessment, Recommendation, Read-back for accuracy.
◉ CUS communication tool. Answer: "I am Concerned, I am
Uncomfortable, This is a Safety issue—STOP." Used to escalate safety
concerns.
,◉ Strategies to address disruptive professional behaviors. Answer:
Assertive communication, using "I" statements, addressing
incivility/bullying directly, following chain of command.
◉ Characteristics of assertive nurse communication. Answer: Clear "I"
statements, open body posture, confidence, ability to admit mistakes,
respectful tone.
◉ Electronic communication responsibilities. Answer: Maintain patient
confidentiality, follow HIPAA, be mindful with emails/texts, follow
ANA/NCSBN social media guidelines.
◉ Risks of electronic communication in health care. Answer: Possible
HIPAA violations, privacy breaches, unprofessional posts,
misunderstanding without context.
◉ Communication with patients with visual impairment. Answer: Use
normal tone of voice, describe environment, announce presence, explain
actions before touching.
◉ Communication with patients with hearing impairment. Answer: Use
simple sentences, speak slowly, face patient, use sign language or
interpreter if needed, write as necessary.
, ◉ Communication with patients with cognitive impairment. Answer:
Use simple, short sentences, one question at a time, repeat as needed,
involve family/caregivers.
◉ Communication with unconscious patients. Answer: Assume they can
hear; talk to them, explain procedures, avoid negative comments.
◉ Communication with patients who do not speak English. Answer: Use
professional interpreters (not family), use visual aids, speak slowly,
confirm understanding.,Blocks to effective communication
◉ Failure to listen. Answer: not seeing patient as human, nontherapeutic
comments, false reassurance, changing subject.
◉ Professional communication and safety. Answer: Clear, respectful,
accurate communication prevents errors and improves patient outcomes;
hospitals are graded on HCAHPS scores.
◉ AIDET tool for patient interaction. Answer: Acknowledge, Introduce,
Duration, Explanation, Thank You—improves patient trust and
satisfaction.
◉ Hand hygiene - when is it indicated. Answer: Before and after patient
contact, before donning gloves and after removing them, before
performing invasive procedures, after contact with body fluids or
2026 SOLVED QUESTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Non-therapeutic communication definition. Answer: Communication
that blocks trust, creates barriers, or prevents patient expression (e.g.,
clichés, giving advice, false reassurance).
◉ Examples of therapeutic communication techniques. Answer: Active
listening, silence, touch (when appropriate), clarifying, paraphrasing,
summarizing, offering self, open-ended questions.
◉ Examples of non-therapeutic communication techniques. Answer:
Closed questions, "why" questions, giving advice, changing the subject,
giving false reassurance, judgmental comments.
◉ Implication of verbal communication. Answer: Spoken or written
words; word choice, tone, clarity, pacing, and timing affect
understanding.
◉ Implication of nonverbal communication. Answer: Facial expressions,
posture, eye contact, gestures, touch, silence—often more powerful than
words.
,◉ Four levels of communication. Answer: Intrapersonal (self-talk),
Interpersonal (between two or more people), Small group,
Organizational.
◉ The helping relationship. Answer: Nurse-patient relationship built on
patient needs, unequal information sharing, requires trust and rapport.
◉ Phases of the helping relationship. Answer: Orientation (establish
tone, identify names, clarify roles, set agreement), Working (collaborate
to meet patient needs, provide teaching), Termination (evaluate goals,
transition care, encourage expression).
◉ Qualities that promote effective communication. Answer:
Friendliness, respect, empathy, genuine concern, competence, self-
confidence, patient-focused attitude.
◉ SBAR communication. Answer: Standardized tool for communicating
with providers: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.
◉ I-SBAR-R. Answer: Identify yourself/patient, Situation, Background,
Assessment, Recommendation, Read-back for accuracy.
◉ CUS communication tool. Answer: "I am Concerned, I am
Uncomfortable, This is a Safety issue—STOP." Used to escalate safety
concerns.
,◉ Strategies to address disruptive professional behaviors. Answer:
Assertive communication, using "I" statements, addressing
incivility/bullying directly, following chain of command.
◉ Characteristics of assertive nurse communication. Answer: Clear "I"
statements, open body posture, confidence, ability to admit mistakes,
respectful tone.
◉ Electronic communication responsibilities. Answer: Maintain patient
confidentiality, follow HIPAA, be mindful with emails/texts, follow
ANA/NCSBN social media guidelines.
◉ Risks of electronic communication in health care. Answer: Possible
HIPAA violations, privacy breaches, unprofessional posts,
misunderstanding without context.
◉ Communication with patients with visual impairment. Answer: Use
normal tone of voice, describe environment, announce presence, explain
actions before touching.
◉ Communication with patients with hearing impairment. Answer: Use
simple sentences, speak slowly, face patient, use sign language or
interpreter if needed, write as necessary.
, ◉ Communication with patients with cognitive impairment. Answer:
Use simple, short sentences, one question at a time, repeat as needed,
involve family/caregivers.
◉ Communication with unconscious patients. Answer: Assume they can
hear; talk to them, explain procedures, avoid negative comments.
◉ Communication with patients who do not speak English. Answer: Use
professional interpreters (not family), use visual aids, speak slowly,
confirm understanding.,Blocks to effective communication
◉ Failure to listen. Answer: not seeing patient as human, nontherapeutic
comments, false reassurance, changing subject.
◉ Professional communication and safety. Answer: Clear, respectful,
accurate communication prevents errors and improves patient outcomes;
hospitals are graded on HCAHPS scores.
◉ AIDET tool for patient interaction. Answer: Acknowledge, Introduce,
Duration, Explanation, Thank You—improves patient trust and
satisfaction.
◉ Hand hygiene - when is it indicated. Answer: Before and after patient
contact, before donning gloves and after removing them, before
performing invasive procedures, after contact with body fluids or
