Communication ATI Quizzes (1-62)

A client who has recently undergone a prostatectomy refuses to eat breakfast and tells the nurse, "Just leave me alone. I don't want food, and I don't want to see anyone right now!" Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?

“It sounds like you need to be alone right now. I’ll be glad to listen if you want to talk later.”

A client in a clinic setting tells the nurse, "I haven't seen my son for 2 weeks." The nurse replies, "Your son has not come to see you for 2 weeks?" The nurse is using which of the following therapeutic communication techniques?

Restating

A nurse is caring for a 13-year-old female client who has been admitted for an emergency appendectomy. While the nurse is reinforcing preoperative teaching, the client asks, "Will I have a large scar from the surgery?" Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"The scar will be small enough that it won't show when you're wearing a bathing suit."

A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who is overweight. The adolescent reports that classmates tease him about his weight. Which of the following responses should the nurse offer?

"Tell me how you feel when your classmates tease you."

While talking with a nurse, a client states, "The nurses around here are incompetent." Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?

"Could you share a specific example of a nurse being incompetent?"

A nurse in a mental health clinic is beginning a counseling session with a client who is having difficulties in a personal relationship. The client states that she does not want to talk at all today. Which of the following responses should the nurse offer?

"Suppose I just spend some time with you instead. We don't have to talk."

A nurse is caring for a client who just received news that his grandparent died. The client is crying and has buried his face in a pillow. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Sit quietly with the client for a short time

A nurse at a skilled nursing facility is assisting with the admission of a client who has Alzheimer's disease. While speaking with the nurse, the client's partner begins to cry and says, "I never thought it would come to this. I feel so guilty about bringing my husband here." Which of the following responses should the nurse offer?

"This has been a difficult time for you."

A nurse is speaking with the family of a child who has just died following a lengthy terminal illness. Which of the following statements should the nurse provide?

"I am sorry for your loss."

A nurse is caring for an older adult client who dies during the night while his partner is at his side. The partner says, "I can't believe he's gone." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"It must be hard to accept that this has happened."

A nurse is caring for a client who has osteoarthritis. The client states she does not want to perform her prescribed exercises because of the pain. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"Tell me more about the pain you experience during exercise."

A client is scheduled for a lumbar puncture to rule out bacterial meningitis. She tells the nurse that she is afraid of becoming paralyzed from the needle being placed into her spinal column. Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?

"The needle is inserted below the third lumbar vertebrae, well below the point at which the spinal cord ends."

A nurse is caring for a client who had a spontaneous miscarriage at 9 weeks of gestation. The nurse walks into the client's room and finds her crying uncontrollably. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

"It is hard to deal with the loss of a pregnancy. Here is the number of a local support group that you can attend."

A nurse informs the mother of a premature newborn that the provider will not be discharging them today as previously discussed. The mother states, "I know I shouldn't let it get me down." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"You seem upset."

A nurse is caring for a client who has hearing loss. The nurse should plan which of the following interventions when communicating with the client?

Attract the client's attention before speaking

A nurse is caring for an older adult client who is to undergo surgery for a hip fracture. The client says, "I guess I've lived long enough, and it's my time." Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?

"You feel that your life is ending?"

A nurse is beginning a therapeutic relationship with a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform to convey empathy when using the therapeutic communication technique of active listening?

Assume an open position

A nurse is caring for a client who has a reputation for being demanding of the nursing staff. The nurse says to the charge nurse, "I can't believe I have to care for this client again today!" Which of the following responses should the charge nurse provide?

"You are upset about having this client assigned to you today."

A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has pneumonia. The client's daughter, who cares for the client at home, says to the nurse, "I'm so glad my dad is here. You can take much better care of him than I can." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"It is not easy to care for an older parent."

A nurse is caring for a client who has a suspected brain tumor and is scheduled for a computerized axial tomography scan (CAT). When the procedure is explained, the client expresses fear about entering the enclosed space of the scanner. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

"Let me review some breathing exercises with you."

A nurse is making morning rounds when a client says, "I almost died last night." Which of the following responses should the nurse offer?

"That must have been frightening. Tell me more about it."

A nurse is caring for a client who just learned that he has a terminal illness. He states, "I'll deal with this after my wife and I take that cruise we've always dreamed about." The nurse should identify that the client is demonstrating which of the following defense mechanisms?

Suppression

The adult child of a client has come to take his mother home from the facility following a colon resection. The client's son tells the nurse, "I don't know how I am going to take care of my mom now." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"What part of your mother's care are you concerned about?"

A nurse is caring for a client following a fetal demise. The client is crying and says, "I tried to get pregnant for so long. My partner and I wanted this baby so much. What will we do now?" Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?

"Are you feeling overwhelmed?"

An assistive personnel is bathing a client who is unconscious and is talking to him about current events and the weather. The client's partner says to the nurse, "Why does the assistive personnel talk to my husband? He's unconscious." Which of the following responses should the nurse offer?

"Your husband is unconscious but might still be able to hear."

A nurse is caring for a client who has recently found out that she is pregnant. The client says, "I don't think I should tell my partner about the pregnancy." Which of the following responses should the nurse offer?

"You seem uncertain about telling your partner."

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about how to perform personal ileostomy care prior to discharge. The client says, "I don't think that I am going to be able to take care of this myself." Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?

"What part of the ileostomy care are you having trouble with?"

A nurse is assisting with the admission of an older adult client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The client's daughter is present and tells the nurse that her father will become uncooperative if he is not able to follow his usual routines. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Ask the daughter what routines her father follows at home

A nurse in an employee assistance program is counseling a client who states, "I just feel completely lost at work these days." The nurse replies, "You feel like you are not getting things done." Which of the following therapeutic communication techniques is the nurse using?

Attempting to translate words into feelings

A nurse is caring for a client when the client's son enters the room and states, "You people can't do anything right. Ever since my father was admitted, you've made mistake after mistake. I am taking him out of here." Which of the following responses should the nurse offer?

"You feel that your father is not receiving appropriate care?"

A nurse is caring for a client following a myocardial infarction. The client tells the nurse that she does not think she can remain on a low-cholesterol diet. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"What is it about the low-cholesterol diet that concerns you?"

A nurse is caring for a client who is undergoing a diagnostic evaluation following an episode of chest pain. The client tells the nurse, "I am not sick, and I want to go home!" Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"Am I correct in understanding that you feel well?"

A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is in premature labor and is not responding to therapy. The client says to the nurse, "I am so worried about my baby." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"You are very frightened for your baby."

A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of terminal cancer. When the nurse enters the room to set up bath equipment, the client says, "I'm not an invalid, you know. I can take care of myself. Get out and leave me alone." Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?

"You seem upset. Let's talk about your concerns."

An emergency department nurse takes a telephone call from a client who states, "I have just taken 100 amitriptyline tablets to kill myself." The client is crying and says, "I want to die. I have no reason to live." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"Please stay on the phone with me so we can talk about your feelings."

A nurse is caring for a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus and is scheduled to receive hemodialysis. The client says, "I don't even know why I'm doing this. There is no cure." Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

"It sounds as though you have given up."

A nurse is caring for a client in a home-care setting. The client asks for the nurse's phone number in order to take the nurse out for coffee. Which of the

following responses should the nurse make?

"We must maintain a professional relationship for me to address your health care needs effectively."

A nurse is caring for a client who has been recently diagnosed with cancer. The client says, "I would rather be dead than go through cancer treatment." Which

of the following responses should the nurse provide?

"What concerns do you have about the cancer treatment?"

A nurse is caring for a client who is a sexual assault survivor. The client says, "I feel so humiliated. I don't want anyone to know what happened to me." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"Are you saying that you are fearful about what others will think?"

A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a biopsy of a mass in a testicle. The client asks, "Do you think the doctor will find cancer?" Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"It must be difficult for you not to know what the doctor will find."

A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who gave birth to a stillborn preterm fetus. The client is crying and says to the nurse, "Why did this happen to me?"

Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?

"This must be so difficult for you."

A nurse is caring for a client who has major depressive disorder. The client tells the nurse, "Don't bother me. I don't have anything worth saying. Go find someone you can help." Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

"I would like to sit quietly with you for a while."

A nurse is caring for a client who states, "There is no one in the world who cares about me." Which of the following responses should the nurse offer?

"You are feeling totally alone and without support?"

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new ileostomy. The client states, "I'd rather be dead than have to live with this all my life." Which of the following responses should the nurse offer?

"You appear upset. Would you like to talk?"

A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who has a positive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test. She tells the nurse, "I don't think I can tell my parents that I am pregnant." Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?

"You seem frightened about telling your parents."

A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer. When the nurse asks the client a question, he angrily spits in the nurse's face. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"You seem to be very upset."

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is preparing to perform a return demonstration of a subcutaneous injection of medication for the second time. The client hesitates and says, "I'm not sure I can do this." Which of the following responses should the nurse offer?

"You did great last time. Give it a try."

A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is talking with a client who pauses while discussing his feelings about being in the facility. The nurse says, "Please go on." Which of the following communication techniques is the nurse using?

Providing a general lead

A nurse is developing a therapeutic relationship with a client who reports depression. Which of the following activities should the nurse initiate during the orientation phase of the therapeutic relationship?

Encouraging the client to state the problems she is having

A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I'm sure my partner is about to leave me because we missed some house payments, and our house will soon be in foreclosure." Which of the following responses should the nurse offer?

"Please explain how you think your financial situation will result in separation."

A nurse is caring for a client who has leukemia. The client says, "The doctor told me that my condition is too severe to be treated successfully. I guess I don't

have long to live." Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?

"Let's talk about how you are feeling about this information."

A nurse is preparing to reinforce teaching about self-care with a client who is 4 days postoperative following the creation of a colostomy. The client refuses to look at the stoma. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Postpone any teaching with the client at this time

A nurse is caring for a client and asks, "How are you?" The client responds, "My leg still hurts." Which of the following communication techniques should the nurse use first?

Seek clarification

A nurse is obtaining a weekly weight for a client who has obesity and osteoarthritis and is on a weight management program. The nurse determines that the client gained 1.36 kg (3 lb) in the past week. Which of the following comments should the nurse make?

"Were there any issues last week that kept you from focusing on your diet?"

A nurse is caring for a client who has no family present and is upset by recent news that a current treatment has not been effective. The nurse states, "I'm going to stay with you until your family is able to get here." Which of the following communication techniques is the nurse using?

Offering self

A nurse is beginning a counseling session with a client who states, "We are really wasting time with these meetings. I can't trust anyone with what is really bothering me about things I've done." Which of the following responses should the nurse offer?

"Is it because you feel like no one would understand what you are experiencing?"

A home health nurse is caring for a toddler with terminal cancer who is scheduled to begin receiving hospice care. The child's parent tells the nurse, "This is all my fault, and I wish I could trade places with my child." Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?

"Tell me more about what you are feeling."

A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of breast cancer. After becoming quiet and withdrawn, the client asks the nurse, "What do you think people will say about me when I'm gone?" Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?

"The thought of having breast cancer must seem hopeless."

A nurse is caring for a client who has hearing loss. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when communicating with the client?

Face the client when speaking

A nurse is caring for a child who has leukemia and is receiving chemotherapy. The child's parent is upset and says, "I just can't believe my child is going to lose her beautiful hair!" Which of the following responses should the nurse offer?

"You are feeling a sense of loss right now."

A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled to undergo a cardiac catheterization. The client says to the nurse, "My coworker died last week from a heart attack." Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?

"You appear to be feeling anxious."

A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia. The client tells the nurse that he hears voices in his head right now, telling him that he has to purchase a knife today. He states that he knows purchasing the knife will make him "do something bad." Which of the following responses should the nurse offer?

"I don't hear any voices, just yours and mine. But, I understand that you are fearful."