1. A nurse believes that the nurse-patient relationship is a partnership and that both are equal

participants. Which term should the nurse use to describe this belief?

a. Critical thinking

b. Authentic

c. Mutuality

d. Attend

ANS: C

Effective interpersonal communication requires a sense of mutuality, a belief that the nursepatient relationship is a partnership and that both are equal participants. Critical thinking

in nursing, based on established standards of nursing care and ethical standards,

promotes effective communication and uses standards such as humility, self-confidence,

independent attitude, and fairness. To be authentic (one’s self) and to respond

appropriately to the other person are important for interpersonal relationships but do not

mean mutuality. Attending is giving all of your attention to the patient.

2. A nurse wants to present information about flu immunizations to the older adults in the community.

Which type of communication should the nurse use?

a. Public

b. Small group

c. Interpersonal

d. Intrapersonal

ANS: A

Public communication is interaction with an audience. Nurses have opportunities to speak

with groups of consumers about health-related topics, present scholarly work to

colleagues at conferences, or lead classroom discussions with peers or students. When

nurses work on committees or participate in patient care conferences, they use a small

group communication process. Interpersonal communication is one-on-one interaction

between a nurse and another person that often occurs face to face. Intrapersonal

communication is a powerful form of communication that you use as a professional

nurse. This level of communication is also called self- talk.

3. A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a patient. Which technique will the nurse use to

ensure effective communication?

Interpersonal communication to change negative self-talk to positive

a. self-talk

b. Small group communication to present information to an audience

c. Electronic communication to assess a patient in another city

d. Intrapersonal communication to build strong tea