Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning 3rd edition Rhoads Test Bank
dvanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
3rd edition
... [Show More] Rhoads
TEST BANK
Chapter 1 Interview and History Taking Strategies
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is conducting an interview with a woman who has recently learned that she is
pregnant and who has come to the clinic today to begin prenatal care. The woman states that she
and her husband are excited about the pregnancy but have a few questions. She looks nervously
at her hands during the interview and sighs loudly. Considering the concept of communication,
which statement does the nurse know to be most accurate? The woman is:
a. Excited about her pregnancy but nervous about the labor.
b. Exhibiting verbal and nonverbal behaviors that do not match.
c. Excited about her pregnancy, but her husband is not and this is upsetting to her.
d.
Not excited about her pregnancy but believes the nurse will negatively
respond to her if she states this.
ANS: B
Communication is all behaviors, conscious and unconscious, verbal and nonverbal. All behaviors
have meaning. Her behavior does not imply that she is nervous about labor, upset by her
husband, or worried about the nurses response.
2. Receiving is a part of the communication process. Which receiver is most likely to
misinterpret a message sent by a health care professional?
a. Well-adjusted adolescent who came in for a sports physical
b. Recovering alcoholic who came in for a basic physical examination
c. Man whose wife has just been diagnosed with lung cancer
d.
Man with a hearing impairment who uses sign language to communicate and who has an
interpreter with him
ANS: C
The receiver attaches meaning determined by his or her experiences, culture, self-concept, and
current physical and emotional states. The man whose wife has just been diagnosed with lung
cancer may be experiencing emotions that affect his receiving.
3. The nurse makes which adjustment in the physical environment to promote the success of an
interview?
a. Reduces noise by turning off televisions and radios
b. Reduces the distance between the interviewer and the patient to 2 feet or less
c. Provides a dim light that makes the room cozy and helps the patient relax
d. Arranges seating across a desk or table to allow the patient some personal space
ANS: A
The nurse should reduce noise by turning off the television, radio, and other unnecessary
equipment, because multiple stimuli are confusing. The interviewer and patient should be
approximately 4 to 5 feet apart; the room should be well-lit, enabling the interviewer and patient
to see each other clearly. Having a table or desk in between the two people creates the idea of a
barrier; equal-status seating, at eye level, is better.
4. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid his or her memory later.
Which statement is trueregarding note-taking?
a. Note-taking may impede the nurses observation of the patients nonverbal behaviors.
b.
Note-taking allows the patient to continue at his or her own pace as the nurse
records what is said.
c.
Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention away from the patient, resulting
in an increased comfort level.
d.
Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye contact with the patient, which may
increase his or her level of comfort.
ANS: A
The use of history forms and note-taking may be unavoidable. However, the nurse must be aware
that note-taking during the interview has disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often and shifts
the attention away from the patient, which diminishes his or her sense of importance. Notetaking
may also interrupt the patients narrative flow, and it impedes the observation of the
patients nonverbal behavior.
5. The nurse asks, I would like to ask you some questions about your health and your usual daily
activities so that we can better plan your stay here. This question is found at the __________
phase of the interview process.
a. Summary
b. Closing
c. Body
d. Opening or introduction
ANS: D
When gathering a complete history, the nurse should give the reason for the interview during the
opening or introduction phase of the interview, not during or at the end of the interview.
6. A woman has just entered the emergency department after being battered by her husband. The
nurse needs to get some information from her to begin treatment. What is the best choice for an
opening phase of the interview with this patient?
a. Hello, Nancy, my name is Mrs. C.
b. Hello, Mrs. H., my name is Mrs. C. It sure is cold today!
c. Mrs. H., my name is Mrs. C. How are you?
d. Mrs. H., my name is Mrs. C. Ill need to ask you a few questions about what happened.
ANS: D
Address the person by using his or her surname. The nurse should introduce him or herself and
give the reason for the interview. Friendly small talk is not needed to build rapport.
7. During an interview, the nurse states, You mentioned having shortness of breath. Tell me
more about that. Which verbal skill is used with this statement?
a. Reflection
b. Facilitation
c. Direct question
d. Open-ended question
ANS: D
The open-ended question asks for narrative information. It states the topic to be discussed but
only in general terms. The nurse should use it to begin the interview, to introduce a new section
of questions, and whenever the person introduces a new topic.
8. A patient has finished giving the nurse information about the reason he is seeking care. When
reviewing the data, the nurse finds that some information about past hospitalizations is missing.
At this point, which statement by the nurse would be most appropriate to gather these data?
a. Mr. Y., at your age, surely you have been hospitalized before!
b. Mr. Y., I just need permission to get your medical records from County Medical.
c.
Mr. Y., you mentioned that you have been hospitalized on several occasions.
Would you tell me more about that?
d.
Mr. Y., I just need to get some additional information about your past hospitalizations.
When was the last time you were admitted for chest pain?
ANS: D
The nurse should use direct questions after the persons opening narrative to fill in any details he
or she left out. The nurse also should use direct questions when specific facts are needed, such as
when asking about past health problems or during the review of systems.
9. In using verbal responses to assist the patients narrative, some responses focus on the patients
frame of reference and some focus on the health care providers perspective. An example of a
verbal response that focuses on the health care providers perspective would be:
a. Empathy.
b. Reflection.
c. Facilitation.
d. Confrontation.
ANS: D
When the health care provider uses the response of confrontation, the frame of reference shifts
from the patients perspective to the perspective of the health care provider, and the health care
provider starts to express his or her own thoughts and feelings. Empathy, reflection, and
facilitation responses focus on the patients frame of reference.
10. When taking a history from a newly admitted patient, the nurse notices that he often pauses
and expectantly looks at the nurse. What would be the nurses best response to this behavior?
a. Be silent, and allow him to continue when he is ready.
b.
Smile at him and say, Dont worry about all of this. Im sure we can find out why
youre having these pains.
c. Lean back in the chair and ask, You are looking at me kind of funny; there isnt anything wrong,
ishere
d.
Stand up and say, I can see that this interview is uncomfortable for you.
We can continue it another time.
ANS: A
Silent attentiveness communicates that the person has time to think and to organize what he or
she wishes to say without an interruption from the nurse. Health professionals most often
interrupt this thinking silence. The other responses are not conducive to ideal communication.
11. A woman is discussing the problems she is having with her 2-year-old son. She says, He
wont go to sleep at night, and during the day he has several fits. I get so upset when that happens.
The nurses best verbal response would be:
a. Go on, Im listening.
b. Fits? Tell me what you mean by this.
c. Yes, it can be upsetting when a child has a fit.
d. Dont be upset when he has a fit; every 2 year old has fits.
ANS: B
The nurse should use clarification when the persons word choice is ambiguous or confusing
(e.g., Tell me what you mean by fits.). Clarification is also used to summarize the persons words
or to simplify the words to make them clearer; the nurse should then ask if he or she is on the
right track.
12. A 17-year-old single mother is describing how difficult it is to raise a 3-year-old child by
herself. During the course of the interview she states, I cant believe my boyfriend left me to do
this by myself! What a terrible thing to do to me! Which of these responses by the nurse uses
empathy?
a. You feel alone.
b. You cant believe he left you alone?
c. It must be so hard to face this all alone.
d. I would be angry, too; raising a child alone is no picnic.
ANS: C
An empathetic response recognizes the feeling and puts it into words. It names the feeling,
allows its expression, and strengthens rapport. Other empathetic responses are, This must be very
hard for you, I understand, or simply placing your hand on the persons arm. Simply reflecting the
persons words or agreeing with the person is not an empathetic response.
13. A man has been admitted to the observation unit for observation after being treated for a
large cut on his forehead. As the nurse works through the interview, one of the standard
questions has to do with alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. When the nurse asks him about tobacco
use, he states, I quit smoking after my wife died 7 years ago. However, the nurse notices an open
pack of cigarettes in his shirt pocket. Using confrontation, the nurse could say:
a. Mr. K., I know that you are lying.
b. Mr. K., come on, tell me how much you smoke.
c. Mr. K., I didnt realize your wife had died. It must be difficult for you at this time.
Please tell me more about that.
d.
Mr. K., you have said that you dont smoke, but I see that you have an open pack of
cigarettes in your pocket.
ANS: D
In the case of confrontation, a certain action, feeling, or statement has been observed, and the
nurse now focuses the patients attention on it. The nurse should give honest feedback about what
is seen or felt. Confrontation may focus on a discrepancy, or the nurse may confront the patient
when parts of the story are inconsistent. The other statements are not appropriate.
14. The nurse has used interpretation regarding a patients statement or actions. After using this
technique, it would be best for the nurse to:
a. Apologize, because using interpretation can be demeaning for the patient.
b. Allow time for the patient to confirm or correct the inference.
c. Continue with the interview as though nothing has happened.
d. Immediately restate the nurses conclusion on the basis of the patients nonverbal response.
ANS: B
Interpretation is not based on direct observation as is confrontation, but it is based on ones
inference or conclusion. The nurse risks making the wrong inference. If this is the case, then the
patient will correct it. However, even if the inference is correct, interpretation helps prompt
further discussion of the topic.
15. During an interview, a woman says, I have decided that I can no longer allow my children to
live with their fathers violence, but I just cant seem to leave him. Using interpretation, the nurses
best response would be:
a. You are going to leave him?
b. If you are afraid for your children, then why cant you leave?
c. It sounds as if you might be afraid of how your husband will respond.
d. It sounds as though you have made your decision. I think it is a good one.
ANS: C
This statement is not based on ones inference or conclusion. It links events, makes associations,
or implies cause. Interpretation also ascribes feelings and helps the person understand his or her
own feelings in relation to the verbal message. The other statements do not reflect interpretation.
16. A pregnant woman states, I just know labor will be so painful that I wont be able to stand it. I
know it sounds awful, but I really dread going into labor. The nurse responds by stating, Oh,
dont worry about labor so much. I have been through it, and although it is painful, many good
medications are available to decrease the pain. Which statement istrue regarding this response?
The nurses reply was a:
a. Therapeutic response. By sharing something personal, the nurse gives hope to this woman.
b.
Nontherapeutic response. By providing false reassurance, the nurse actually cut off further
discussion of the womans fears.
c.
Therapeutic response. By providing information about the medications available, the nurse is
giving information to the woman.
d. Nontherapeutic response. The nurse is essentially giving the message to the woman
that labor cannot be tolerated without medication.
ANS: B
By providing false assurance or reassurance, this courage builder relieves the womans anxiety
and gives the nurse the false sense of having provided comfort. However, for the woman,
providing false assurance or reassurance actually closes off communication, trivializes her
anxiety, and effectively denies any further talk of it.
17. During a visit to the clinic, a patient states, The doctor just told me he thought I ought to stop
smoking. He doesnt understand how hard Ive tried. I just dont know the best way to do it. What
should I do? The nurses most appropriate response in this case would be:
a. Id quit if I were you. The doctor really knows what he is talking about.
b. Would you like some information about the different ways a person can quit smoking?
c. Stopping your dependence on cigarettes can be very difficult. I understand how you feel.
d.
Why are you confused? Didn't the doctor give you the information about the smoking
cessation program we offer?
ANS: B
Clarification should be used when the persons word choice is ambiguous or confusing.
Clarification is also used to summarize the persons words or to simplify the words to make them
clearer; the nurse should then ask if he or she is on the right track. The other responses give
unwanted advice or do not offer a helpful response.
18. As the nurse enters a patients room, the nurse finds her crying. The patient states that she has
just found out that the lump in her breast is cancer and says, Im so afraid of, um, you know. The
nurses most therapeutic response would be to say in a gentle manner:
a. Youre afraid you might lose your breast?
b. No, Im not sure what you are talking about.
c. Ill wait here until you get yourself under control, and then we can talk.
d. I can see that you are very upset. Perhaps we should discuss this later.
ANS: A
Reflection echoes the patients words, repeating part of what the person has just said. Reflection
can also help express the feelings behind a persons words.
19. A nurse is taking complete health histories on all of the patients attending a wellness
workshop. On the history form, one of the written questions asks, You dont smoke, drink, or take
drugs, do you? This question is an example of:
a. Talking too much.
b. Using confrontation.
c. Using biased or leading questions.
d. Using blunt language to deal with distasteful topics.
ANS: C
This question is an example of using leading or biased questions. Asking, You dont smoke, do
you? implies that one answer is better than another. If the person wants to please someone, then
he or she is either forced to answer in a way that corresponds to his or her implied values or is
made to feel guilty when admitting the other answer.
20. When observing a patients verbal and nonverbal communication, the nurse notices a
discrepancy. Which statement is true regarding this situation? The nurse should:
a. Ask someone who knows the patient well to help interpret this discrepancy.
b. Focus on the patients verbal message, and try to ignore the nonverbal behaviors.
c. Try to integrate the verbal and nonverbal messages and then interpret them as an average.
d.
Focus on the patients nonverbal behaviors, because these are often more reflective
of a patients true feelings.
ANS: D
When nonverbal and verbal messages are congruent, the verbal message is reinforced. When
they are incongruent, the nonverbal message tends to be the true one because it is under less
conscious control. Thus studying the nonverbal messages of the patients and examiners and
understanding their meanings are important. The other statements are not true.
21. During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized child is sitting in an open position. As the
interviewer begins to discuss his sons treatment, however, he suddenly crosses his arms against
his chest and crosses his legs. This changed posture would suggest that the parent is:
a. Simply changing positions.
b. More comfortable in this position.
c. Tired and needs a break from the interview.
d. Uncomfortable talking about his sons treatment.
ANS: D
The persons position is noted. An open position with the extension of large muscle groups shows
relaxation, physical comfort, and a willingness to share information. A closed position with the
arms and legs crossed tends to look defensive and anxious. Any change in posture should be
noted. If a person in a relaxed position suddenly tenses, then this change in posture suggests
possible discomfort with the new topic.
22. A mother brings her 28-month-old daughter into the clinic for a well-child visit. At the
beginning of the visit, the nurse focuses attention away from the toddler, but as the interview
progresses, the toddler begins to warm up and is smiling shyly at the nurse. The nurse will be
most successful in interacting with the toddler if which is done next?
a. Tickle the toddler, and get her to laugh.
b. Stoop down to her level, and ask her about the toy she is holding.
c. Continue to ignore her until it is time for the physical examination.
d.
Ask the mother to leave during the examination of the toddler, because toddlers
often fuss less if their parent is not in view.
ANS: B
Although most of the communication is with the parent, the nurse should not completely ignore
the child. Making contact will help ease the toddler later during the physical examination. The
nurse should begin by asking about the toys the child is playing with or about a special doll or
teddy bear brought from home. Does your doll have a name? or What can your truck do? Stoop
down to meet the child at his or her eye level.
23. During an examination of a 3-year-old child, the nurse will need to take her blood pressure.
What might the nurse do to try to gain the childs full cooperation?
a. Tell the child that the blood pressure cuff is going to give her arm a big hug.
b. Tell the child that the blood pressure cuff is asleep and cannot wake up.
c. Give the blood pressure cuff a name and refer to it by this name during the assessment.
d. Tell the child that by using the blood pressure cuff, we can see how strong her muscles are.
ANS: D
Take the time to give a short, simple explanation with a concrete explanation for any unfamiliar
equipment that will be used on the child. Preschoolers are animistic; they imagine inanimate
objects can come alive and have human characteristics. Thus a blood pressure cuff can wake up
and bite or pinch.
24. A 16-year-old boy has just been admitted to the unit for overnight observation after being in
an automobile accident. What is the nurses best approach to communicating with him?
a. Use periods of silence to communicate respect for him.
b. Be totally honest with him, even if the information is unpleasant.
c. Tell him that everything that is discussed will be kept totally confidential.
d. Use slang language when possible to help him open up.
ANS: B
Successful communication with an adolescent is possible and can be rewarding. The guidelines
are simple. The first consideration is ones attitude, which must be one of respect. Second,
communication must be totally honest. An adolescents intuition is highly tuned and can detect
phoniness or the withholding of information. Always tell him or her the truth.
25. A 75-year-old woman is at the office for a preoperative interview. The nurse is aware that the
interview may take longer than interviews with younger persons. What is the reason for this?
a. An aged person has a longer story to tell.
b. An aged person is usually lonely and likes to have someone with whom to talk.
c. Aged persons lose much of their mental abilities and require longer time to complete an
interview.
d.
As a person ages, he or she is unable to hear; thus the interviewer usually needs to
repeat much of what is said.
ANS: A
The interview usually takes longer with older adults because they have a longer story to tell. It is
not necessarily true that all older adults are lonely, have lost mental abilities, or are hard of
hearing.
26. The nurse is interviewing a male patient who has a hearing impairment. What techniques
would be most beneficial in communicating with this patient?
a. Determine the communication method he prefers.
b. Avoid using facial and hand gestures because most hearing-impaired people find this
degrading.
c. Request a sign language interpreter before meeting with him to help facilitate the
communication.
d.
Speak loudly and with exaggerated facial movement when talking with him
because doing so will help him lip read.
ANS: A
The nurse should ask the deaf person the preferred way to communicateby signing, lip reading,
or writing. If the person prefers lip reading, then the nurse should be sure to face him squarely
and have good lighting on the nurses face. The nurse should not exaggerate lip movements
because this distorts words. Similarly, shouting distorts the reception of a hearing aid the person
may wear. The nurse should speak slowly and supplement his or her voice with appropriate hand
gestures or pantomime.
27. During a prenatal check, a patient begins to cry as the nurse asks her about previous
pregnancies. She states that she is remembering her last pregnancy, which ended in miscarriage.
The nurses best response to her crying would be:
a. Im so sorry for making you cry!
b. I can see that you are sad remembering this. It is all right to cry.
c. Why dont I step out for a few minutes until youre feeling better?
d. I can see that you feel sad about this; why dont we talk about something else?
ANS: B
A beginning examiner usually feels horrified when the patient starts crying. When the nurse says
something that makes the person cry, the nurse should not think he or she has hurt the person.
The nurse has simply hit on an important topic; therefore, moving on to a new topic is essential.
The nurse should allow the person to cry and to express his or her feelings fully. The nurse can
offer a tissue and wait until the crying subsides to talk.
28. A female nurse is interviewing a man who has recently immigrated. During the course of the
interview, he leans forward and then finally moves his chair close enough that his knees are
nearly touching the nurses knees. The nurse begins to feel uncomfortable with his proximity.
Which statement most closely reflects what the nurse should do next?
a. The nurse should try to relax; these behaviors are culturally appropriate for this person.
b.
The nurse should discreetly move his or her chair back until the distance is more
comfortable, and then continue with the interview.
c.
These behaviors are indicative of sexual aggression, and the nurse should confront
this person about his behaviors.
d.
The nurse should laugh but tell him that he or she is uncomfortable with his
proximity and ask him to move away.
ANS: A
Both the patients and the nurses sense of spatial distance are significant throughout the interview
and physical examination, with culturally appropriate distance zones varying widely. Some
cultural groups value close physical proximity and may perceive a health care provider who is
distancing him or herself as being aloof and unfriendly.
29. A female American Indian has come to the clinic for follow-up diabetic teaching. During the
interview, the nurse notices that she never makes eye contact and speaks mostly to the floor.
Which statement is true regarding this situation?
a. The woman is nervous and embarrassed.
b. She has something to hide and is ashamed.
c. The woman is showing inconsistent verbal and nonverbal behaviors.
d. She is showing that she is carefully listening to what the nurse is saying.
ANS: D
Eye contact is perhaps among the most culturally variable nonverbal behaviors. Asian, American
Indian, Indochinese, Arabian, and Appalachian people may consider direct eye contact impolite
or aggressive, and they may avert their eyes during the interview. American Indians often stare at
the floor during the interview, which is a culturally appropriate behavior, indicating that the
listener is paying close attention to the speaker.
30. The nurse is performing a health interview on a patient who has a language barrier, and no
interpreter is available. Which is the best example of an appropriate question for the nurse to ask
in this situation?
a. Do you take medicine?
b. Do you sterilize the bottles?
c. Do you have nausea and vomiting?
d. You have been taking your medicine, havent you? [Show Less]