The nurse caring for a patient who is concerned about her 10-pound weight loss relative to her chemotherapy tells the patient. "Lucky you! Every cloud has a silver lining." The nurse's statement is an example of which type of communication block?
Defensive response
Asking probing questions
Using clichés
Changing the subject
The Correct Answer is C
A. Defensive response
A defensive response would involve protecting oneself or one's position rather than addressing the patient’s concerns. The nurse’s statement here is more dismissive than defensive.
B. Asking probing questions
Probing questions would involve persistent questioning, which does not apply here, as the nurse is not asking questions but making a dismissive comment.
C. Using clichés
"Every cloud has a silver lining" is a cliché, which may come across as dismissive and minimize the patient’s concerns. Using clichés can make the patient feel unheard and invalidated.
D. Changing the subject
Changing the subject would involve diverting attention to an unrelated topic. The nurse here is not introducing a new topic but is using a cliché instead.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. "Come and get me if Mr. Jones has a high heart rate." This statement lacks specificity, as “high heart rate” is vague. The assistant may not know what range constitutes “high.”
B. "I need to know if Mr. Jones' blood pressure is elevated."
This statement is also too vague, as the assistant may not understand what is considered "elevated."
C. "If Mr. Jones' heart rate is greater than 100, let me know."
This direction is clear and specific, providing a measurable parameter for the assistant to follow, making it the best option.
D. "Let me know if Mr. Jones' temperature is high."
"High" is vague, as it does not provide a specific value or range for temperature.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Be certain the patient is wearing his glasses and/or hearing aid. Ensuring the patient has optimal hearing and vision aids can improve comprehension and help the patient accurately learn the procedure.
B. Wait for the patient to ask any questions about the procedure. Waiting for questions might lead to gaps in understanding, as the patient may not feel comfortable initiating questions without encouragement.
C. Talk through the process rapidly to keep the patient from becoming tired. Rushing the instruction may cause the patient to miss important details, as learning may be slower in older adults.
D. Point out each mistake during the return demonstration. Correcting every error without constructive feedback can discourage the patient. It’s more effective to provide gentle guidance and support.