INACE Communication and Documentation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident becomes upset and starts crying during morning care. What is the BEST way for the nurse aide to respond?
- Tell the resident to calm down and focus on getting dressed
- Acknowledge the resident's feelings and ask what is wrong (Correct answer)
- Leave the room to give the resident privacy
- Continue care and report the behavior to the charge nurse later
Correct answer: Acknowledge the resident's feelings and ask what is wrong
Acknowledging feelings validates the resident's emotions and opens communication to identify the cause of distress.
Question 2: When documenting care, the nurse aide should record information:
- At the end of the shift to save time
- As soon as possible after care is given (Correct answer)
- Only when something unusual occurs
- After the charge nurse reviews the care plan
Correct answer: As soon as possible after care is given
Documenting immediately after care ensures accuracy and prevents omissions or errors from memory lapses.
Question 3: A resident who speaks limited English is having trouble understanding care instructions. The nurse aide should FIRST:
- Speak louder and more slowly in English
- Use gestures, pictures, or an interpreter to aid communication (Correct answer)
- Ask a family member to always translate
- Document that the resident is non-compliant
Correct answer: Use gestures, pictures, or an interpreter to aid communication
Using visual aids or a qualified interpreter helps bridge language barriers while respecting the resident's dignity.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of subjective data that the nurse aide should report?
- The resident's temperature is 99.2°F
- The resident's skin is red over the coccyx
- The resident states she has a headache (Correct answer)
- The resident ate 75% of breakfast
Correct answer: The resident states she has a headache
Subjective data is information reported by the resident that cannot be directly measured, such as pain or discomfort.
Question 5: Which behavior demonstrates therapeutic communication with a resident?
- Finishing the resident's sentences to save time
- Maintaining eye contact and nodding while listening (Correct answer)
- Asking only yes-or-no questions to keep conversations short
- Sharing personal stories to relate to the resident
Correct answer: Maintaining eye contact and nodding while listening
Maintaining eye contact and active listening signals respect and encourages the resident to communicate openly.
Question 6: A nurse aide notices a resident has a bruise that was not present yesterday. What should be done?
- Apply ice and monitor the bruise for two days
- Document the bruise and report it to the charge nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Ask the resident if they fell without documenting until confirmed
- Cover the bruise with clothing to prevent further injury
Correct answer: Document the bruise and report it to the charge nurse immediately
New bruises must be documented accurately and reported promptly as they may indicate injury, abuse, or a medical condition.
Question 7: When a nurse aide records that a resident "appears anxious," this is an example of:
- Objective documentation based on measurable findings
- Subjective documentation that should be avoided
- An inference that should be supported by observed behaviors (Correct answer)
- A medical diagnosis the nurse aide should not document
Correct answer: An inference that should be supported by observed behaviors
Inferences should be supported by specific observable behaviors such as 'resident was pacing and wringing hands' to keep documentation accurate.
INACE Communication and Documentation 2
A resident becomes upset and starts crying during morning care.
What is the BEST way for the nurse aide to respond?