CELBAN Giving Patient Instructions 3

Question 1

A patient refuses to listen to discharge instructions, saying 'I'll figure it out at home.' What is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

Explore the patient's concerns before attempting to re-engage

Answer

Understanding the reason for refusal allows the nurse to address barriers and motivate the patient to engage.

Question 2

Which environmental factor most interferes with effective patient instruction?

Accepted Answer

A noisy hallway with interruptions

Answer

Noise and interruptions distract both nurse and patient, reducing retention and comprehension of instructions.

Question 3

A nurse must teach a diabetic patient about foot care. Which method best promotes retention?

Accepted Answer

Return demonstration with immediate feedback

Answer

Return demonstration with feedback actively engages the patient and confirms skill competency.

Question 4

A patient with heart failure asks why they need to weigh themselves daily. What is the nurse's best teaching response?

Accepted Answer

'Daily weights detect fluid retention early, which signals worsening heart failure.'

Answer

Explaining the rationale — detecting fluid retention early — motivates adherence and helps the patient act on significant weight changes.

Question 5

When is the LEAST appropriate time to provide complex discharge instructions?

Accepted Answer

When the patient is in severe pain or heavily sedated

Answer

Pain and sedation impair cognition and memory, making it impossible for the patient to absorb and retain complex information.

(CELBAN) Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses Practice Test