Chapter 3 - Communication Skills

Question 1

A way of communicating that involves giving a person one’s full attention while he is speaking and encouraging him to give information and clarify ideas.

Answer 1

Active Listening

Question 2

A block or an obstacle.

Answer 2

Barrier

Question 3

All of the conscious or unconscious messages a person’s body sends as she communicates, such as facial expressions and shrugging her shoulders.

Answer 3

Body Language

Question 4

A meeting to share and gather information about a resident in order to develop a care plan.

Answer 4

Care Conference

Question 5

A plan for each resident created by the nurse that outlines the tasks that team members must perform to help the resident reach his or her goals of care.

Answer 5

Care Plan

Question 6

The act of noting care and observations; documenting.

Answer 6

Charting

Question 7

In health care, an emergent medical situation in which specially-trauned responders provide the necessary care.

Answer 7

Code

Question 8

Formally written status of the type and scope of care that should be provided in the event of a cardiac arrest, other catastrophic organ failure, or terminal illness.

Answer 8

Code Status

Question 9

The process of reasoning and analyzing in order to solve problems; for the nursing assistant, critical thinking man’s making careful observations and promptly reporting all potential problems.

Answer 9

Critical Thinking

Question 10

A set of learned beliefs, values, traditions, and behaviors shared by a social or ethnic group.

Answer 10

Culture

Question 11

Swelling in body tissues caused by excess fluid.

Answer 11

Edema

Question 12

An accident, problem, or unexpected event during the course of care.

Answer 12

Incident

Question 13

A report documenting an incident and the esponse to the incident; also known as an occurrence, accident, or event report.

Answer 13

Incident Report

Question 14

Legal record of all medical care a patient, resident, or client receives.

Answer 14

Medical Chart

Question 15

A detailed form with guidelines for assessing residents in long-term care facilities; also details what to do if resident problems are identified.

Answer 15

Minimum Data Set (MDS)

Question 16

Communication without using words, such as through gestures and facial expressions.

Answer 16

Nonverbal Communication

Question 17

An organized method used by nurses to determine residents’ need, plan the appropriate care to meet those needs, and evaluate how well the plan of care is working; five steps are assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Answer 17

Nursing Process

Question 18

Factual information collected using the senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch; also called signs.

Answer 18

Objective Information

Question 19

A person’s awareness of person, place, and time.

Answer 19

Orientation

Question 20

A word part added to the beginning of a root to create a new meaning.

Answer 20

Prefix

Question 21

To place things in order of importance.

Answer 21

Prioritize

Question 22

The main part of a word that gives it meaning.

Answer 22

Root

Question 23

Physical movement of staff from room to room to discuss each resident and his or her care plan.

Answer 23

Rounds

Question 24

An unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury.

Answer 24

Sentinel Event

Question 25

Information collected from residents, their family members, and their friends; information may or may not be true, but it is what the person reported; also called symptoms.

Answer 25

Subjective Information

Question 26

A word part added to the end of a root or a prefix to create a new meaning.

Answer 26

Suffix

Question 27

Communication involving the use of spoken or written words or sounds.

Answer 27

Verbal Communication

Question 28

Mesurements–temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, pain level–that monitor the functioning of the vital organs of the body.

Answer 28

Vital Signs

Question 29

What is the difference between verbal and nonverbal communication?

Answer 29

Verbal communication involves using words by speaking or writing. Nonverbal Communication happens without the use of words such as body language and facial expressions.

Question 30

Why should a nursing assistant avoid asking yes or no questions?

Answer 30

Yes and no answers end conversation.

Question 31

A resident tells a nursing assistant that he is scared of a medical test that is going to be performed. Instead of using a cliche, such as “Oh, everything will be fine,” what could the NA say?

Answer 31

Instead of using a cliche, the NA should listen to what a resident is really saying and respond with a meaningful message. This emotionally supports the resident and reassures them.

Question 32

What can help an NA overcome a language barrier with a resident?

Answer 32

The NA can speak slowly and clearly. He should keep his messages short and simple and be alert for words the resident understands and also be alert for signs that the resident is only pretending to understand. Using pictures and gestures may help or the NA can find family members and friends of the resident to translate the conversation.

Question 33

What should an NA do each time he greets a resident?

Answer 33

The NA should introduce herself and identify the resident. She needs to explain the procedure she will be doing and encourage the resident’s participation.

Question 34

Convert 8:33 p.m. to military time.

Answer 34

20:33

Question 35

Convert 11:10 a.m. to military time.

Answer 35

11:10

Question 36

With whom can a nursing assistant’s observations about residents be shared?

Answer 36

They cannot be shared with anyone except specific members of the care team.

Question 37

When should care be documented?

Answer 37

Document immediately after care is given.

Question 38

Do HIPAA guidelines apply to computer use?

Answer 38

NAs should be careful about who can see private or protected health information (PHI) on the computer screen; HIPAA privacy guidelines apply to computer use.

Question 39

How does a nursing assistant’s reporting impact the minimum data set (MDS) manual?

Answer 39

It provides PHI for the resident’s health conditions to identify health problems or illnesses.

Question 40

List the four senses that are used in accurate observing and reporting.

Answer 40

Sight, hearing, touch, and smell.

Question 41

What is an incident?

Answer 41

An incident is an accident, problem, or unexpected event during the course of care. It is something that is not part of the normal routine.

Question 42

When should an incident report be completed?

Answer 42

When documenting incidents, NAs should complete the report as soon as possible and give it to the charge nurse.

Question 43

Give an example of a proper greeting when answering the phone.

Answer 43

When greeting a caller, cheerfully say, “Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” or “Good evening.” Identify your facility, yourself, and your position.

Question 44

Describe the NA’s role in rounds at a facility.

Answer 44

Nursing assistants usually are asked to attend start-of-shift reports.

Question 45

Give an example of how to combine activities to manage time better.

Answer 45

NAs can talk with residents while providing care, which combines two important tasks. It is important to work more efficiently whenever possible.

Question 46

For each of the following five statements, decide whether it is an objective sign or subjective symptom observation.
1. Resident says she has a sore throat.
2. Resident has dark red urine.
3. Resident states, “I have a hard time catching my breath.”
4. Resident is running a fever.
5. Resident has blisters on her feet.

Answer 46

1. Subjective
2. Objective
3. Subjective
4. Objective
5. Objective

Question 47

Which of the following is the correct abbreviation for “nothing by mouth.”?
A. NBM
B. NPO
C. ZVM
D. NFF

Answer 47

B. NPO

Question 48

What does the abbreviation PRN stand for?
A. Every hour
B. When needed
C. Two times per day
D. Immediately

Answer 48

B. When needed

Question 49

Which of the following is the correct order of the nursing process?
A. Assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation
B. Planning, implementation, assessment, diagnosis, evaluation
C. Evaluation, planning, assessment, implementation, diagnosis
D. Diagnosis, assessment, evaluation, planning, implementation

Answer 49

A. Assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation

Question 50

How does a nursing assistant contribute to care planning?
A. By giving her suggestions regarding medication changes
B. By diagnosing the resident’s current condition
C. By sharing her observations of residents
D. By demonstrating the types of treatment she gives to the resident for the resident’s family

Answer 50

C. By sharing her observations of residents

Question 51

Where shoul the call light be left when a nursing assistant leaves a resident’s room?
A. By the door leading to the hallway
B. Next to the toilet in the bathroom
C. On the resident’s windowsill
D. Within the resident’s reach

Answer 51

D. Within the resident’s reach

Question 52

Which of the following is typically found on an assignment sheet?
A. Resident’s last known address
B. Resident’s television preferences
C. Names of the resident’s closest living relatives
D. Resident’s diet order

Answer 52

A. Resident’s last known address