NURSING EXAM #2 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
During rounds, a charge nurse hears the patient care technician yelling loudly to a
patient regarding a transfer from the bed to chair. Upon entering the room, what is the
nurse's BEST response?
A) "You need to speak to the patient quietly so you don't disturb the other patients."
B) "Let me help you with your transfer technique."
C) "When you are finished, be sure to apologize for your rough demeanor."
D) "When your patient is safe and comfortable, meet me at the desk." - Answer-D)
"When your patient is safe and comfortable, meet me at the desk."
The charge nurse should direct the patient care technician to determine the patient's
safety. Then the nurse should address any concerns regarding the patient care
technician's communication techniques privately. The nurse should direct the patient
care technician on aspects of therapeutic communication.
A public health nurse is leaving the home of a young mother who has a special needs
baby. The neighbor states, "How is she doing, since the baby's father is no help?" What
is the nurse's BEST response to the neighbor?
A) "New mothers need support."
B) "The lack of a father is difficult."
C) "How are you today?"
D) "It is a very sad situation." - Answer-A) "New mothers need support."
The nurse must maintain confidentiality when providing care. The statement "New
mothers need support" is a general statement that all new parents need help. The
statement is not judgmental of the family's roles.
A 3-year-old child is being admitted to a medical division for vomiting, diarrhea, and
dehydration. During the admission interview, the nurse should implement which
communication techniques to elicit the most information from the parents?
A) The use of reflective questions
B) The use of closed questions
C) The use of assertive questions
D) The use of clarifying questions - Answer-D) The use of clarifying questions
The use of the clarifying question or comment allows the nurse to gain an
understanding of a patient's comment. When used properly, this technique can avert
possible misconceptions that could lead to an inappropriate nursing diagnosis. The
reflective question technique involves repeating what the person has said or describing
the person's feelings. Open-ended questions encourage free verbalization and
expression of what the parents believe to be true. Assertive behavior is the ability to
stand up for yourself and others using open, honest, and direct communication.
,A nurse enters a patient's room and examines the patient's IV fluids and cardiac
monitor. The patient states, "Well, I haven't seen you before. Who are you?" What is the
nurse's BEST response?
A) "I'm just the IV therapist checking your IV."
B) "I've been transferred to this division and will be caring for you."
C) "I'm sorry, my name is John Smith and I am your nurse."
D) "My name is John Smith, I am your nurse and I'll be caring for you until 11 PM." -
Answer-D) "My name is John Smith, I am your nurse and I'll be caring for you until 11
PM."
The nurse should identify himself, be sure the patient knows what will be happening,
and the time period he will be with his patient.
A nurse enters the room of a patient with cancer. The patient is crying and states, "I feel
so alone." Which response by the nurse is the most therapeutic action?
A) The nurse stands at the patient's bedside and states, "I understand how you feel. My
mother said the same thing when she was ill."
B) The nurse places a hand on the patient's arm and states, "You feel so alone."
C) The nurse stands in the patient's room and asks, "Why do you feel so alone? Your
wife has been here every day."
D) The nurse holds the patient's hand and asks, "What makes you feel so alone?" -
Answer-D) The nurse holds the patient's hand and asks, "What makes you feel so
alone?"
The use of touch conveys acceptance, and the implementation of an open-ended
question allows the patient time to verbalize freely.
A nurse caring for a patient who is hospitalized following a double mastectomy is
preparing a discharge plan for the patient. Which action should be the focus of this
termination phase of the helping relationship?
A) Determining the progress made in achieving established goals
B) Clarifying when the patient should take medications
C) Reporting the progress made in teaching to the staff
D) Including all family members in the teaching session - Answer-A) Determining the
progress made in achieving established goals
The termination phase occurs when the conclusion of the initial agreement is
acknowledged. Discharge planning coordinates with the termination phase of a helping
relationship. The nurse should determine the progress made in achieving the goals
related to the patient's care.
A nursing student is nervous and concerned about working at a clinical facility. Which
action would BEST decrease anxiety and ensure success in the student's provision of
patient care?
A) Determining the established goals of the institution
,B) Ensuring that verbal and nonverbal communication is congruent
C) Engaging in self-talk to plan the day and decrease fear
D) Speaking with fellow colleagues about how they feel - Answer-C) Engaging in self-
talk to plan the day and decrease fear
By engaging in self-talk, or intrapersonal communication, the nursing student can plan
her day and enhance her clinical performance to decrease fear and anxiety.
A nurse in the rehabilitation division states to the head nurse: "I need the day off and
you didn't give it to me!" The head nurse replies, "Well, I wasn't aware you needed the
day off, and it isn't possible since staffing is so inadequate." Instead of this exchange,
what communication by the nurse would have been more effective?
A) "I placed a request to have 8th of August off, but I'm working and I have a doctor's
appointment."
B) "I would like to discuss my schedule with you. I requested the 8th of August off for a
doctor's appointment. Could I make an appointment?"
C) "I will need to call in on the 8th of August because I have a doctor's appointment."
D) "Since you didn't give me the 8th of August off, will I need to find someone to work
for me?" - Answer-B) "I would like to discuss my schedule with you. I requested the 8th
of August off for a doctor's appointment. Could I make an appointment?"
Effective communication by the sender involves the implementation of nonthreatening
information by showing respect to the receiver. The nurse should identify the subject of
the meeting and be sure it occurs at a mutually agreed upon time.
During a nursing staff meeting, the nurses resolve a problem of delayed documentation
by agreeing unanimously that they will make sure all vital signs are reported and
charted within 15 minutes following assessment. This is an example of which
characteristics of effective communication? Select all that apply.
A) Group decision making
B) Group leadership
C) Group power
D) Group identity
E) Group patterns of interaction
F) Group cohesiveness - Answer-A) Group decision making
D) Group identity
E) Group patterns of interaction
F) Group cohesiveness
Solving problems involves group decision making; ascertaining that the staff completes
a task on time and that all members agree the task is important is a characteristic of
group identity; group patterns of interaction involve honest communication and member
support; and cohesiveness occurs when members generally trust each other, have a
high commitment to the group, and a high degree of cooperation. Group leadership
occurs when groups use effective styles of leadership to meet goals; with group power,
, sources of power are recognized and used appropriately to accomplish group
outcomes.
A nurse notices a patient is walking to the bathroom with a stooped gait, facial
grimacing, and gasping sounds. Based on these nonverbal clues, for which condition
would the nurse assess?
A) Pain
B) Anxiety
C) Depression
D) Fluid volume deficit - Answer-A) Pain
A patient who presents with nonverbal communication of a stooped gait, facial
grimacing, and gasping sounds is most likely experiencing pain. The nurse should
clarify this nonverbal behavior.
A nursing student is preparing to administer morning care to a patient. What is the
MOST important question that the nursing student should ask the patient about
personal hygiene?
A) "Would you prefer a bath or a shower?"
B) "May I help you with a bed bath now or later this morning?"
C) "I will be giving you your bath. Do you use soap or shower gel?"
D) "I prefer a shower in the evening. When would you like your bath?" - Answer-B) "May
I help you with a bed bath now or later this morning?"
The nurse should ask permission to assist the patient with a bath. This allows for
consent to assist the patient with care that invades the patient's private zones.
A nurse is providing instruction to a patient regarding the procedure to change a
colostomy bag. During the teaching session, the patient asks, "What type of foods
should I avoid to prevent gas?" The patient's question allows for what type of
communication on the nurse's part?
A) A closed-ended answer
B) Information clarification
C) The nurse to give advice
D) Assertive behavior - Answer-B) Information clarification
The patient's question allows the nurse to clarify information that is new to the patient or
that requires further explanation.
When interacting with a patient, the nurse answers, "I am sure everything will be fine.
You have nothing to worry about." This is an example of what type of inappropriate
communication technique?
A) Cliché
B) Giving advice
C) Being judgmental
D) Changing the subject - Answer-A) Cliché
