ANSWERSHEET TEST BANK
Communication in Nursing 10th Edition
Julia Balzer Riley
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
Which statement describes the affective aspect of learning effective communication strategies?
“The nurse should use clear, direct statements using objective words.”
“The nurse uses body language that is congruent with the verbal message.”
“The nurse believes that positive communication strategies build confidence.”
“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
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?
“I don’t want you upset, so I will work extra.”
“Why do I always have to cover extra shifts?”
“I am not able to work an extra shift.”
“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
,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?
“I want to decide the shifts for all of the other staff nurses.”
“Do whatever you want. It doesn’t really matter to me.”
“Thank you for offering me a choice. I prefer 12-hour shifts.”
“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
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?
Authoritative, honest, and outright communication
Assertive, responsible, and caring communication
Aggressive, sympathetic, and realistic communication
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
Which are examples of a nurse who is communicating responsibly? (Select all that apply)
The nurse uses profanity to respond to a client who is intoxicated and verbally abusive.
The nurse helps a client talk to family members about discontinuing chemotherapy.
The nurse uses interpersonal strategies to help a client develop methods of coping.
The nurse provides a client’s health information to a close relative who is visiting.
The nurse listens carefully to the client’s concern about inadequate pain relief.
ANS:B, C, E
A nurse who communicates responsibly will perform the role of a client advocate, will
consider the world of the client and the client’s family, and will naturally focus on the nursing
process and problem-solving process. The nurse is responsible for maintaining the
professional conduct of the relationship. Examples of unprofessional conduct would include
breaching client confidentiality or verbally abusing a client.DIF: Application REF: pp. 11-12
TOP: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
3
, According to Swanson’s theory, there are five caring processes, one of which is “being with.” Which of the
responses by the nurse portrays an understanding of the concept of “being with” a client?
The nurse charting in the room to spend more time with the client
The nurse wearing locator badge so you can quickly respond any time patient would call front desk and ask to
page you
The nurse requesting one-on-one nurse staffing
The nurse being emotionally present to the client
ANS:D
Caring is an essential ingredient in life and must characterize the nurse–client relationship….
Consider Swanson’s five caring processes (Swanson, 1993):1) Maintaining belief—sustaining
faith in the capacity of others to transition and have meaningful lives2) Knowing—striving to
understand events as they have meaning in the life of the other3) Being with—being
emotionally present to the other4) Doing for— doing for others what they would do for
themselves if possible5) Enabling—facilitating the capacity of others to care for themselves
and family members (Tonges and Ray, 2011, p. 375)DIF: Application REF: p. 11 TOP:
Integrated Process: CaringMSC: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
According to Swanson’s theory, there are five caring processes, one of which is
“knowing.” What are the other four?
Communication, assertiveness, responsibility, and caring
Maintaining belief, being with, doing for, and enabling
Understanding, action, information, and comfort
Maintaining belief, being with, enabling, and supporting
ANS:B
Caring is an essential ingredient in life and must characterize the nurse–client relationship….
Consider Swanson’s five caring processes (Swanson, 1993):1) Maintaining belief—sustaining
faith in the capacity of others to transition and have meaningful lives2) Knowing—striving to
understand events as they have meaning in the life of the other3) Being with—being
emotionally present to the other4) Doing for— doing for others what they would do for
themselves if possible5) Enabling—facilitating the capacity of others to care for themselves
and family members (Tonges and Ray, 2011, p. 375)DIF: Knowledge/Comprehension REF: p.
6 TOP: Integrated Process: CaringMSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of
Care
The charge nurse informs a staff nurse that it is her turn to float to another unit. Which response by the staff
nurse is aggressive?
“I had such a bad experience last time. Please send another nurse instead of me.”
“I will miss working with you today, but I understand that it is my turn to float.”
“I will not survive on the other unit. The staff are always too busy to help me.”
“I will float, but you’ll be sorry. You cannot handle emergencies without me.”
ANS:D
An aggressive response is forceful and confrontational; the person using an aggressive
approach will place his or her needs first and respect for others is lacking. A nonassertive
response is apologetic; the person frequently puts himself or herself down. An assertive
4 response is clear, direct, confident, and honest.DIF: Analysis REF: p. 7 TOP: Integrated Process:
