Communication and Documentation Flashcards
7 cards from real NMC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Communication and Documentation flashcards as text
A patient discloses domestic abuse during a routine assessment. The nurse's priority action is:
Answer: Document the disclosure and follow local safeguarding policy immediately
Domestic abuse disclosures trigger safeguarding protocols; accurate documentation and referral through proper channels are the immediate priorities.
A nurse uses abbreviations in nursing notes that are not on the approved hospital list. This is problematic because:
Answer: Unapproved abbreviations can be misinterpreted, leading to errors in care
Non-standardized abbreviations risk misinterpretation by other clinicians, potentially causing harm; only approved abbreviations should be used.
Effective closed-loop communication during an emergency requires:
Answer: The receiver reads back the instruction and the sender confirms it is correct
Closed-loop communication requires the receiver to read back the instruction and the sender to confirm, reducing errors in high-stakes situations.
A patient asks to see their own nursing records. Under what principle should the nurse respond?
Answer: Patients have a legal right to access their own health records
Patients have a legal right to access their own health records under data protection legislation, and nurses must support this right.
A nurse is handing over care to a colleague. Which information is most critical to communicate first?
Answer: Immediately life-threatening or clinically urgent changes in the patient's condition
Urgent clinical changes must be prioritized in handover to ensure patient safety; life-threatening information cannot wait.
Which approach best demonstrates person-centered communication?
Answer: Using the patient's preferred name and involving them in discussions about their care
Person-centered communication respects individual preferences, uses the patient's chosen name, and actively includes them in care decisions.
When a patient becomes aggressive, the nurse's first communication strategy should be:
Answer: Use de-escalation techniques such as a calm tone, open posture, and active listening
De-escalation through calm verbal and non-verbal communication is the first-line response to aggression, as recommended by NMC and safety guidelines.