Chapter 06: Communication and Physical Assessment of the Child

Chapter 06: Communication and Physical Assessment of the Child

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The nurse is seeing an adolescent boy and his parents in the clinic for the first time. What should the nurse do first?

ANS:  A

The first thing that nurses should do is to introduce themselves to the patient and family. Parents and other adults should be addressed with appropriate titles unless they specify a preferred name. During the initial part of the interview, the nurse should include general conversation to help make the family feel at ease. Clarification of the purpose of the interview and the nurse’s role is the next thing that should be done. The interview should take place in an environment as free of distraction as possible. In addition, the nurse should clarify which information will be shared with other members of the health care team and any limits to the confidentiality.

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Apply                   REF:   87

TOP:   Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation

MSC:  Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity

2. Which is most likely to encourage parents to talk about their feelings related to their child’s illness?

ANS:  C

Closed-ended questions should be avoided when attempting to elicit parents’ feelings. Open-ended questions require the parent to respond with more than a brief answer. Sympathy is having feelings or emotions in common with another person rather than understanding those feelings (empathy). Sympathy is not therapeutic in helping the relationship. Direct questions may obtain limited information. In addition, the parent may consider them threatening. Silence can be an effective interviewing tool. It allows sharing of feelings in which two or more people absorb the emotion in depth. Silence permits the interviewee to sort out thoughts and feelings and search for responses to questions.

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Apply                   REF:   88

TOP:   Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation

MSC:  Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity

3. Which communication technique should the nurse avoid when interviewing children and their families?

ANS:  B

Using stereotyped comments or clichés can block effective communication, and this technique should be avoided. After use of such trite phrases, parents will often not respond. Silence can be an effective interviewing tool. Silence permits the interviewee to sort out thoughts and feelings and search for responses to questions. To be effective, the nurse must be able to direct the focus of the interview while allowing maximal freedom of expression. By using open-ended questions, along with guiding questions, the nurse can obtain the necessary information and maintain the relationship with the family. The nurse and parent must collaborate and define the problem that will be the focus of the nursing intervention.

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understand            REF:   90

TOP:   Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation

MSC:  Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity

4. What is the single most important factor to consider when communicating with children?

ANS:  C

The nurse must be aware of the child’s developmental stage to engage in effective communication. The use of both verbal and nonverbal communication should be appropriate to the developmental level. Although the child’s physical condition is a consideration, developmental level is much more important. The parents’ presence is important when communicating with young children but may be detrimental when speaking with adolescents. Nonverbal behaviors will vary in importance, based on the child’s developmental level.

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understand            REF:   91

TOP:   Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation

MSC:  Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity

5. Which approach would be best to use to ensure a positive response from a toddler?

ANS:  A

It is important that the nurse assume a position at the child’s level when communicating with the child. By speaking quietly and focusing on the child, the nurse should be able to obtain a positive response. The nurse should engage the child and inform the toddler what is going to occur. If the nurse picks up the child without explanation, the child is most likely going to become upset. The toddler may not understand the meaning of the phrase, “I’m your nurse.” If a positive response is desired, the nurse should assume the child’s level when speaking if possible.

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Apply                   REF:   91

TOP:   Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation

MSC:  Area of Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity