Communication Skills for Nurses

Self-Study Examination

Instructions: After studying the text answer the following true/false or multiple choice questions. Remember, there's only one answer to each question.

1.	Linear communication: 1.Is a letter or e-mail 2. Focuses on nonverbal communication 3.Can be applied to most types of communication 4. Takes into account gender and social influences 5. Has five main parts beginning with the information source

a) 2, 3, and 4
b) 1 and 4
c) 2 and 5
d) 1, 3, and 5

2.	The interactive model proposes the sender and receiver ________ the message.

a) Interpret
b) Assess
c) Decode
d) Channel

3.

a) An interpreter
b) Feedback
c) Interactions with individuals and groups
d) Non-verbal communication methods

4.	The aim of transactional analysis is to:

a) Explain how people function
b) Allow the adult ego to take control over the parent or child ego
c) Determine the state of mind
d) Observe verbal and nonverbal characteristics

5.	The adult in us begins to form at around ______ ______ old.

a) 5 years
b) 12 years
c) 10 months
d) 6 months

6.	In this transaction an explicit social conversation occurs in parallel with a psychological transaction:

a) Complementary
b) Crossed
c) Ulterior

7.	_________ communication is where we process our own thoughts and actions and falls under _________ communication.

a) Intrapersonal, verbal
b) Interpersonal, nonverbal
c) Nonverbal, verbal

8.	This is one of the most commonly used communication methods world wide for deaf blindness:

a) Deaf blind manual alphabet
b) Block
c) British sign language

9.	All nurses coming into the shift need a handover.

a) TRUE
b) FALSE

10.	The CUBAN approach:

a) Defines abbreviations
b) Describes a handover
c) Dictates communication in an age-appropriate manner
d) Is done several times a day

11.	Hospital “customers” are very different for one important reason: They don’t want to be there.

a) TRUE
b) FALSE

12.	The sense of sight at _______% contributes to the first impression you get of someone.

a) 50
b) 60
c) 78
d) 83

13.	Interpersonal skills are all about:

a) Reaching a goal
b) Modifying your behavior
c) Working with other people
d) Meeting needs of patients

14.	This skill involves collaborating with other people to share ideas with them and arrive at a common goal:

a) Effective communication
b) Negotiation
c) Clarification
d) Teamwork

15.	Listening is the same as hearing.

a) TRUE
b) FALSE

16.	“Doing things right” is the definition of:

a) Effective
b) Efficient

17.	The major obstacle to multidisciplinary team work is:

a) Short placement time
b) Lack of communication
c) Each is educated independently
d) Co-ordinating the role of team members to meet complex patient needs

18.	A language barrier may occur when patients speak the same language.

a) TRUE
b) FALSE

19.

a) Has made an assumption based on his experiences
b) Has become distracted by the situation
c) Leaves the receiver uncertain about the senders intent
d) Becomes frustrated with an individual who clearly is not listening

20.	Up to 90% of people with this disability have communication difficulties:

a) Mental health problems
b) Learning disability
c) Sensory deficit
d) Autism

21.	Active listening is a technique that requires the listener to:

a) Interpret the sender’s message
b) Prepare an answer prior to completion of the sender’s message
c) Show patience
d) Restate what they have heard in their own words

22.	One benefit of active listening is it forces people to listen attentively to others.

a) TRUE
b) FALSE

23.	The human factor is:

a) Everyone is different
b) Each person has a unique ability
c) Basic needs are the same for everyone
d) We all make mistakes

24.	By identifying “what went wrong” and predicting “what could go wrong” is an example of:

a) A factor that can increase a safety risk
b) An awareness of human factors in health care that can help you

25.	Baseline observations are taken:

a) When patients state they do not feel well
b) After a procedure
c) On admission while at rest
d) Before a procedure

26.	One of the most important features of the admission process is to:

a) Listen to the patient without interruptions
b) Review the medications
c) Obtain a medical history
d) Assessing economic information

27.

a) TRUE
b) FALSE

28.

a) Evaluation
b) Diagnosis
c) Implementation

29.	_____________ % of healthcare-associated urinary tract infections are related to indwelling urinary catheters.

a) Fifty
b) Seventy-five
c) Eighty
d) Eight-seven

30.	In order to be considered a vulnerable adult, the person is over_______ years of age and unable to protect himself or herself from harm due to age, mental illness, physical disability or learning disability.

a) 16
b) 18
c) 21

31.	One form of a communication tool that uses critical language is the:

a) EWS
b) SBAR
c) BOC
d) Braden Assessment

32.	“What is the problem” would describe:

a) Situation
b) Background
c) Assessment
d) Recommendation

33.	Drowsy and sluggish best describes:

a) Stuporous
b) Lethargic

34.	In this step of the SBAR the nurse may state “this is what I think the problem is:”

a) Situation
b) Assessment
c) Background
d) Recommendation

35.	A score from the Bristol Observation Chart is from: 1. Skin color 2. Blood pressure 3. Temperature 4. Systolic reading 5. Heart rate

a) 2, 3, and 5
b) 1, 2, 3, and 5
c) 1 and 5
d) 3, 4, and 5

36.	Under the “Recommendation” heading of the SBAR, the prompt sheet states nurses may suggest the patient be transferred to critical care.

a) TRUE
b) FALSE

37.	When assessing a patient using the A-E method, a rash or pressure ulcer would be:

a) C-circulation
b) D-disability
c) E-exposure

38.	Charges of negligence that cause patient harm are mostly heard in _________ courts.

a) Criminal
b) Civil
c) District
d) Municipal

39.	When conducting a root cause analysis, the incident usually has: 1. Poor documentation 2. A series of events 3. One single cause 4. A wide range of contributing factors

a) 1, 2, and 4
b) 4 only
c) 2 and 4
d) 2, 3, and 4

40.	The “Checklist For Falls” requires a round every ______ hour(s) for medium risk patients.

a) One
b) Two
c) Four

41.	High risk factors for a fall include: 1. Previous falls 2. Attempting to stand or walk when not safe to do so 3. Unsteady when walking/turning 4. Chronic confusion or dementia 5. The patient would benefit from intentional rounding using your clinical judgment

a) 1, 3, and 4
b) 2, 4, and 5
c) 1 and 4
d) 2 and 5

42.	The patient has difficulty rolling over in bed.

a) Bedrails not to be used
b) Consider use of bedrails
c) Bedrails to be used

43.	A patient is taking steroids, has no limitation in mobility and eats most every meal. They would be considered ______ risk with skin checks ________.

a) Medium, every 4 hours
b) Low, daily
c) Medium, daily

44.	When evaluating the nutritional status for the ‘SKIN bundle for pressure ulcer prevention,” you assess the patient’s status as having no nutrition for more than 3 days. You would consider:

a) Making the patient NPO
b) Offering a clear liquid diet
c) Prepare the patient for insertion of a nasogastric tube
d) Consider artificial nutrition

45.

a) Ask the Ombudsman to review the case
b) File a second complaint in writing
c) Discuss the response with a staff member
d) Refer the complaint back to the Advice and Complaints Team

46.	The majority of health complaints according to Figure 12.1 is:

a) Funding
b) Records
c) Clinical care and treatment
d) Attitude of the staff

47.	The “Friends and Family Test” 1. Ranks questions from “extremely likely” to “extremely unlikely” 2. Requires the patient to identify himself or herself 3. Is mandatory on discharge 4. Can be completed by a family or friend 5. Asks for explanations to follow up questions

a) 1, 2, and 5
b) 2 and 4
c) 3 and 5
d) 1, 4, and 5

48.	In your portfolio you should have evidence of: 1. Evaluations from your supervisor 2. Continuing education 3. Complaints and how you dealt with them 4. Compliments 5. Salary and bonuses

a) 1, 2, and 4
b) 2 and 5
c) 2, 3, and 4
d) 1, 3, and 5

49.	When someone has written that he or she had a really bad day on Facebook and actually names a person, you should:

a) Ignore it
b) Report it to the charge nurse
c) Talk with the person who wrote it
d) Tell the person who was actually named

50.	_________ is a feeling of distress and pity for the suffering or misfortune of others. This often includes the desire to alleviate it.

a) Compassion
b) Competence
c) Commitment
d) Courage

51.	The _________Report looked at “appalling care” received by the people of Stafford from 2005-2008 by the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

a) Ombudsman
b) Patient’s
c) Francis
d) Willis