Communication Questions and Answers
| Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct &
Verified
What is the best initial response a nurse can make when a client begins to cry during a
conversation?
✔✔Sit quietly and offer tissues, allowing space for the client to express emotions
What should a nurse do if a client asks for clarification about a medication they don’t recognize?
✔✔Provide accurate information and verify the medication name, dose, and purpose
What is a therapeutic way to respond when a client says, “I feel like no one listens to me”?
✔✔“It sounds like you’re feeling unheard. Can you tell me more about that?”
How should a nurse respond when a client remains silent after being asked about pain?
✔✔Allow time, observe nonverbal cues, and gently re-ask the question
What kind of language should a nurse use when communicating with a child?
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,✔✔Simple, age-appropriate words and short sentences
How should a nurse begin a conversation with a client from a different culture?
✔✔Use respectful language and ask about preferred forms of address and communication
What is the best response to a client who says, “I’m scared about my surgery tomorrow”?
✔✔“It’s okay to feel scared. Would you like to talk about what’s worrying you?”
How can a nurse encourage a quiet client to open up during a health history interview?
✔✔Use open-ended prompts like, “Can you tell me more about your concerns today?”
What is the benefit of restating what a client says during a conversation?
✔✔It shows the nurse is listening and allows the client to clarify if needed
What should a nurse do if a client becomes angry during an interaction?
✔✔Remain calm, acknowledge their feelings, and try to understand the source of anger
Why should a nurse avoid using medical jargon when speaking with clients?
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, ✔✔To ensure the client clearly understands the information
What is an appropriate action if a client speaks a different primary language than the nurse?
✔✔Request a qualified medical interpreter
What does it mean if a nurse uses therapeutic touch with a client?
✔✔It is a nonverbal way to provide comfort and show presence, used with permission
What is one way a nurse can build rapport with a new client during the first meeting?
✔✔Introduce themselves, explain their role, and ask the client how they prefer to be addressed
How should a nurse document a client’s verbal expression of pain?
✔✔Use direct quotes such as “Client states, ‘My pain feels like stabbing in my back.’”
How should a nurse respond if a client asks a difficult question about prognosis?
✔✔Answer honestly within scope, and refer to the provider for detailed information
What is the role of silence in therapeutic communication?
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