Open-Ended Questions in Nursing Communication

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: The Patient's Bill of Rights. This document ensures the client's right to access information about treatment options. It outlines the client's right to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. Choice A (The Standards of Clinical Practice) may provide guidelines for healthcare professionals but does not directly address the client's right to information. Choice B (An Advance Health Care Directive) is a legal document specifying a person's wishes for healthcare decisions if they become unable to make decisions, not specifically about access to treatment options. Choice D (A Client's Living Will) is a legal document that outlines a person's wishes regarding medical treatment in case they are unable to communicate, but it does not guarantee access to information about treatment options.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: - Choice A is correct because it is nonassertive and implies a desire for control over others' schedules, which may frustrate the nurse manager. - Choice B is incorrect because it shows indifference, not assertiveness. - Choice C is incorrect as it expresses a clear preference without being nonassertive. - Choice D is incorrect because it is assertive but in a negative and confrontational way.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Listen to the patient's stories about her past experiences. This approach allows the nurse to show empathy, build trust, and understand the patient's perspective. By actively listening to the patient's stories, the nurse can provide emotional support and help the patient process her emotions and thoughts. A: Suggesting a support group may be beneficial, but it may not address the patient's immediate need for understanding and processing her diagnosis. B: Providing reading material on death and dying may be overwhelming and not personalized to the patient's specific needs. C: Contacting the patient's spiritual leader may not be appropriate if the patient does not have a strong spiritual connection or desire for daily visits.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because using a soft and relaxed tone of voice conveys warmth and concern, creating a welcoming and comforting environment for the patient. This approach helps build rapport and trust. Choice B is incorrect because maintaining a distance of 6 to 8 feet may come off as cold and distant, lacking warmth and concern. Choice C is incorrect because avoiding attentive behaviors can make the patient feel neglected and uncared for, which does not display warmth and concern. Choice D is incorrect because engaging in a verbal exchange without physical contact alone may not be enough to demonstrate genuine warmth and concern towards the patient.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step 1: The patient is tearful and slow in speech when talking about her husband's death. Step 2: Verbal message: Discussing husband's death, Nonverbal message: Tearful and slow speech. Step 3: Verbal and nonverbal messages are congruent - sadness is reflected in both. Step 4: This congruency indicates genuine emotions and honest communication. Step 5: Therefore, choice C is correct as it demonstrates communication congruency. Summary: Choice A: Incongruent communication - smiling and laughing contradict feelings of loneliness and depression. Choice B: Incongruent communication - hand-wringing and pacing contradict denial of being upset. Choice D: Incongruent communication - stating comfort while frowning and teeth clenched contradict each other.