Professional Etiquette and Communication Flashcards
7 cards from real CELBAN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Etiquette and Communication flashcards as text
A patient becomes verbally aggressive toward a nurse. The FIRST response should be to:
Answer: Stay calm, use a low tone, and acknowledge the patient's frustration
De-escalation begins with a calm, low tone and validation of emotions to reduce tension before addressing the underlying issue.
When writing a professional email to a colleague about a patient care concern, the nurse should:
Answer: Include only the minimum necessary patient identifiers and use a professional tone
Professional written communication requires a formal tone, minimal necessary identifiers, and secure transmission to protect confidentiality.
A patient's family member demands to know the patient's diagnosis, but the patient has not consented to share it. The nurse should:
Answer: Explain that patient information cannot be shared without the patient's consent
Patient privacy rights prevent disclosure to third parties, including family members, without explicit patient consent.
Which communication approach is MOST effective when delivering bad news to a patient?
Answer: Sit at eye level, use plain language, allow silence, and offer support
Sitting at eye level, using plain language, and allowing processing time demonstrates empathy and supports therapeutic communication during difficult conversations.
A nurse notices that a peer is consistently cutting corners in documentation. The MOST appropriate action is to:
Answer: Address the concern with the peer directly, then escalate to the charge nurse if it continues
Professional accountability involves addressing concerns collegially first, then escalating through proper channels if behavior does not change.
In Canada, the nursing regulatory requirement for professional boundaries means a nurse should:
Answer: Avoid any personal disclosure that shifts focus from the patient's needs
Professional boundaries require that nurse–patient relationships remain therapeutic and patient-centred; personal relationships and social media connections breach these boundaries.
When using interpreters in a clinical setting, the nurse should direct questions to:
Answer: The patient directly, making eye contact with the patient
Addressing the patient directly, even when an interpreter is present, maintains dignity and keeps the therapeutic relationship patient-centred.