UNAR Effective Communication with Patients 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with a hearing impairment does not have their hearing aid in. What is the best approach for the nursing assistant?
- Speak loudly into the patient's ear
- Face the patient directly and speak clearly at a normal pace (Correct answer)
- Write all communication on paper instead of speaking
- Ask a family member to translate everything
Correct answer: Face the patient directly and speak clearly at a normal pace
Facing the patient and speaking clearly allows them to lip-read and pick up on visual cues, which is more effective than shouting or relying solely on written notes.
Question 2: When a nursing assistant uses open-ended questions with a patient, the goal is to:
- Get a quick yes or no answer
- Encourage the patient to share more detailed information (Correct answer)
- Avoid lengthy conversations during busy shifts
- Confirm that the patient understood instructions
Correct answer: Encourage the patient to share more detailed information
Open-ended questions invite patients to elaborate, which helps the nursing assistant gather richer information about the patient's needs and feelings.
Question 3: A patient begins to cry while the nursing assistant is providing care. The most appropriate response is to:
- Continue care quickly to finish before the patient gets more upset
- Tell the patient there is nothing to cry about
- Pause, offer a tissue, and ask if the patient would like to talk (Correct answer)
- Leave the room and notify the nurse immediately
Correct answer: Pause, offer a tissue, and ask if the patient would like to talk
Pausing and acknowledging the patient's emotion shows empathy and gives the patient an opportunity to express their feelings if they choose.
Question 4: Which behavior by a nursing assistant demonstrates active listening?
- Interrupting to offer solutions before the patient finishes speaking
- Nodding and maintaining appropriate eye contact while the patient speaks (Correct answer)
- Multitasking with charting while the patient talks
- Finishing the patient's sentences to save time
Correct answer: Nodding and maintaining appropriate eye contact while the patient speaks
Nodding and maintaining eye contact signals to the patient that the nursing assistant is fully engaged and attentive to what is being said.
Question 5: A nursing assistant is caring for a patient who speaks limited English. The BEST action is to:
- Speak very slowly and loudly to help the patient understand
- Use gestures and pictures only, avoiding all speech
- Request a qualified interpreter or language assistance service (Correct answer)
- Ask another patient in the room to translate
Correct answer: Request a qualified interpreter or language assistance service
A qualified interpreter ensures accurate communication and protects patient rights; using untrained individuals or other patients risks miscommunication and privacy violations.
Question 6: The term 'therapeutic communication' in nursing assistant practice means:
- Using medical jargon to sound professional
- Planned communication techniques that promote patient well-being (Correct answer)
- Limiting conversation to medical topics only
- Communicating only through written notes for accuracy
Correct answer: Planned communication techniques that promote patient well-being
Therapeutic communication involves purposeful, patient-centered techniques designed to support the patient's emotional and physical well-being.
Question 7: When explaining a procedure to a patient, a nursing assistant should:
- Use complex medical terms to sound knowledgeable
- Explain in simple, clear language and check for understanding (Correct answer)
- Assume the patient already knows the procedure if they have been in the facility before
- Explain only if the patient asks questions
Correct answer: Explain in simple, clear language and check for understanding
Using simple language and verifying understanding ensures the patient is informed and reduces anxiety, which is part of the nursing assistant's duty.
UNAR Effective Communication with Patients 2
A patient with a hearing impairment does not have their hearing aid in.
What is the best approach for the nursing assistant?