Patient Communication Skills Flashcards

A post-anesthesia patient refuses to use the incentive spirometer despite instruction. Which communication approach is MOST effective?

Answer: Explore the reason for refusal and address barriers before re-educating

Identifying and addressing barriers to compliance is more effective than repeating instructions or documenting refusal without exploration.

Which statement BEST reflects the teach-back method in PACU patient education?

Answer: 'Can you show me how you would care for your incision at home?'

Teach-back asks patients to demonstrate or explain information in their own words, confirming comprehension rather than just acknowledgment.

A patient in the PACU becomes tearful and says, 'I just want to go home.' The MOST therapeutic response is:

Answer: 'I hear that you want to go home. Can you tell me more about how you're feeling right now?'

Empathetic reflection followed by an open-ended question invites the patient to share feelings and identifies unmet needs.

When obtaining informed consent for a post-anesthesia procedure in the PACU, the nurse's PRIMARY role is to:

Answer: Witness the physician's explanation and ensure the patient's questions are answered

The nurse's role in informed consent is to witness the process, ensure voluntariness, and confirm the patient's questions have been addressed by the provider.

A patient with low health literacy needs to understand post-op activity restrictions. Which strategy is MOST effective?

Answer: Use plain language, short sentences, and pictures or diagrams

Plain language with visual aids improves comprehension for patients with low health literacy and reduces post-discharge errors.

A PACU patient says, 'My doctor never tells me anything.' How should the nurse respond?

Answer: 'I understand your frustration. What specific information do you feel you're missing?'

Validating the patient's frustration and identifying specific information gaps empowers the patient and guides appropriate follow-up.

Which action by the PACU nurse BEST supports a patient's right to self-determination regarding pain management?

Answer: Collaborating with the patient to set pain management goals aligned with their values

Shared decision-making that incorporates the patient's pain goals and values upholds autonomy and improves satisfaction and outcomes.