Chapter 03: The

InterviewTest Bank

1. The nurse is conducting an interview with a woman who has recently

learned thatshe 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, the nurse knows that which

statement is most accurate? The woman is:

A) excited about her pregnancy but nervous about labor.

B) exhibiting verbal and nonverbal behavior that does 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 respond

negatively to

her if she states this.

ANS: B

Communication is all behavior, conscious and unconscious, verbal and nonverbal. All

behaviorhas meaning. Her behavior does not specify that she is nervous about labor, 

upset by her husband, or worried about the nurse’s response.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing

(Analysis)REF: Page: 29 MSC: Client Needs:

Psychosocial Integrity

2. Receiving is a part of the communication process. Which receiver is

most likelyto 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 past experiences, culture, selfconcept,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.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing

(Analysis)REF: Page: 30 MSC: Client Needs:

Psychosocial Integrity

3. The nurse makes which adjustment in the physical environment in

order topromote 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 a room cozier and will help 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 about 4to 5 feet apart; the room should be well-lit so that the 

interviewer and patient can 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.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying 

(Application)REF: Page: 31 MSC: Client Needs:

Psychosocial Integrity

4. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid

his or hermemory later. Which statement is true regarding note-taking?

A) Note-taking may impede the nurse’s observation of the patient’s 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

Some use of history forms and note-taking may be unavoidable. But be aware that 

note-taking during the interview has disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often, 

and it shifts attention away from the patient, which diminishes his or her sense of

importance. It also may interrupt thepatient’s narrative flow, and it impedes the

observation of the patient’s nonverbal behavior.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding 

(Comprehension)REF: Page: 31 MSC: Client Needs:

Psychosocial Integrity

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 theopening or introduction of the interview, not during or at the end of the

interview