CELBAN - Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses Responding to Healthcare Issues Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient's son approaches the nurse's station and states loudly, "My mother has been waiting for her pain medication for over 30 minutes! Why is the service here so slow?" Which of the following is the most therapeutic initial response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

"I can see you're very concerned. Let me come with you to your mother's room and assess her pain right now."

Answer

"Sir, please lower your voice. There are other patients on the unit who are trying to rest."

Answer

"We are doing our best. Her medication is scheduled to be given in another 15 minutes."

Answer

"Who is your mother's assigned nurse? I will try to find them for you."

Question 2

A nurse is performing an initial assessment on an elderly patient who says, "I've just been feeling all topsy-turvy lately." Which of the following is the most appropriate clarifying question for the nurse to ask?

Accepted Answer

"Can you tell me more about what 'topsy-turvy' feels like to you?"

Answer

"Are you saying you've been feeling dizzy or lightheaded?"

Answer

"When did this 'topsy-turvy' feeling start?"

Answer

"Have you taken anything to help with the 'topsy-turvy' feeling?"

Question 3

A nurse on a busy medical unit is informed of four patient requests simultaneously. Which of the following situations requires the nurse's most immediate assessment?

Accepted Answer

A patient with a history of heart failure reports new-onset shortness of breath.

Answer

A post-operative patient rated their incisional pain as 7/10.

Answer

A patient who is NPO for a procedure is asking for a drink of water.

Answer

A family member is asking for an update on a patient's lab results.

Question 4

A competent adult patient with a bacterial infection refuses their scheduled dose of intravenous antibiotics, stating, "I feel much better, and I don't want that needle in my arm anymore." What is the nurse's most appropriate initial action?

Accepted Answer

Explain the potential health risks of not completing the full course of antibiotics.

Answer

Document the refusal in the chart and notify the physician immediately.

Answer

Insist that the medication is necessary and that the doctor has ordered it.

Answer

Ask a family member to try and convince the patient to take the medication.

Question 5

When documenting telephone advice given to a patient, which of the following details is most essential for the nurse to include in the patient's record?

Accepted Answer

The specific instructions and recommendations provided to the patient.

Answer

The nurse's impression of the patient's mood.

Answer

The time the call ended.

Answer

A note that the patient sounded satisfied with the advice.

Question 6

A 16-year-old patient tells a nurse, "I've been feeling really down and I'm worried I might have depression, but please promise you won't tell my parents." In Canada, which response by the nurse is most ethically and legally appropriate?

Accepted Answer

"Let's talk more about how you're feeling. I will keep our conversation confidential, unless I'm worried you're at risk of harming yourself or others."

Answer

"I promise I won't tell them anything you don't want me to."

Answer

"I am required by law to tell your parents everything about your health."

Answer

"It's best if you tell your parents yourself, so I'll wait until you're ready to do that."