CELBAN Speaking Tasks 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the CELBAN Speaking section, candidates are scored on several criteria. Which of the following is NOT one of the main scoring dimensions?
- Fluency and coherence
- Lexical resource (vocabulary range)
- Spelling accuracy (Correct answer)
- Pronunciation
Correct answer: Spelling accuracy
CELBAN Speaking is scored on fluency, coherence, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation — spelling is assessed in the Writing section, not Speaking.
Question 2: During a CELBAN role-play, a patient refuses a recommended treatment. As the nurse, your most appropriate action is to:
- Proceed with the treatment anyway to ensure patient safety.
- Respect the refusal, explain the potential consequences, and document the discussion. (Correct answer)
- Tell the patient their insurance will not cover future problems if they refuse.
- Argue persistently until the patient agrees.
Correct answer: Respect the refusal, explain the potential consequences, and document the discussion.
Nurses must respect patient autonomy, inform them of consequences of refusal, and document the conversation appropriately.
Question 3: When communicating a pain assessment to a physician over the phone during a CELBAN speaking task, which structured communication tool is most appropriate?
- ADPIE
- SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) (Correct answer)
- SOAP note format
- WILDA mnemonic
Correct answer: SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation)
SBAR is the standard structured communication tool used for verbal reporting to physicians in Canadian healthcare settings.
Question 4: A CELBAN speaking task involves explaining an insulin injection technique to a newly diagnosed diabetic patient. Which phrase best checks patient readiness to learn?
- 'You need to learn this today before you go home.'
- 'Is this a good time for us to go over how to give yourself your insulin injection?' (Correct answer)
- 'I'll show you this quickly so we can get it done.'
- 'Your doctor told me you need to know this.'
Correct answer: 'Is this a good time for us to go over how to give yourself your insulin injection?'
Asking whether the patient is ready respects their autonomy and ensures they are in the right mindset to receive new information.
Question 5: In a CELBAN speaking scenario, a family member asks you for the patient's confidential diagnosis without the patient's consent present. The correct response is:
- Share the information briefly since family members always have the right to know.
- 'I'm sorry, I can only discuss your family member's health information with their permission.' (Correct answer)
- Tell the family member to wait in the hall and then share all details.
- Refer them to the hospital website's privacy policy.
Correct answer: 'I'm sorry, I can only discuss your family member's health information with their permission.'
Patient confidentiality must be maintained; health information cannot be shared with family members without explicit patient consent.
Question 6: Which language feature is most likely to negatively impact a nurse's CELBAN Speaking score when explaining post-operative care?
- Using clear signposting words like 'first,' 'next,' and 'finally'
- Heavy use of unexplained medical jargon with a non-medical patient (Correct answer)
- Pausing briefly to allow the patient to ask questions
- Repeating key instructions for emphasis
Correct answer: Heavy use of unexplained medical jargon with a non-medical patient
Using unexplained technical terminology with a patient reduces comprehension and demonstrates poor lexical appropriateness, lowering the Speaking score.
Question 7: A CELBAN speaking role-play involves a patient who is crying and refuses to talk. What is the first action the nurse should take?
- Leave the room and return in 10 minutes.
- Sit quietly beside the patient and offer a compassionate presence without forcing conversation. (Correct answer)
- Ask a series of yes/no questions to gather assessment data immediately.
- Call the doctor right away to report the patient is uncooperative.
Correct answer: Sit quietly beside the patient and offer a compassionate presence without forcing conversation.
Offering a calm, compassionate presence without pressure allows the patient to feel safe and supported before they are ready to communicate.
CELBAN Speaking Tasks 3
In the CELBAN Speaking section, candidates are scored on several criteria.
Which of the following is NOT one of the main scoring dimensions?