Communication Practice Questions
Master Communication for the CNA exam with comprehensive practice questions, detailed explanations, and proven study strategies.
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What You'll Learn
Communication is a critical skill for certified nursing assistants (CNAs). As the primary point of contact for patients, CNAs must be able to effectively communicate with both patients and other healthcare team members. This topic covers the principles and techniques of communication, including verbal, non-verbal, and therapeutic communication. By mastering communication skills, CNAs can better understand patient needs, provide high-quality care, and contribute to positive patient outcomes.
Key Concepts
Verbal Communication
The use of spoken words and language to convey information. Proper verbal communication involves speaking clearly, using appropriate tone and volume, and actively listening to the patient.
Non-Verbal Communication
The use of body language, facial expressions, and gestures to convey meaning. Non-verbal cues can provide valuable insights into a patient's emotional state and understanding of information.
Therapeutic Communication
The use of communication techniques to build trust, provide emotional support, and encourage patient participation in their care. This includes using open-ended questions, reflective listening, and validating the patient's feelings.
Active Listening
The process of fully concentrating on, understanding, responding to, and remembering what is being said. Active listening involves maintaining eye contact, paraphrasing, and asking clarifying questions.
Barriers to Communication
Factors that can impede effective communication, such as language differences, hearing or vision impairments, cognitive impairments, and cultural differences. CNAs must be able to identify and address these barriers to ensure clear and effective communication.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to establish eye contact or maintain an open, approachable body posture when communicating with patients
- Using medical jargon or overly complex language that the patient may not understand
- Interrupting the patient or not allowing them to fully express their concerns and needs
- Neglecting to ask clarifying questions or confirm the patient's understanding of the information provided
- Overlooking non-verbal cues that may indicate the patient's emotional state or level of comprehension
Sample Communication Questions
Question 1
Which of the following pediatric drug dosages is written in the most appropriate manner to minimize potential miscommunication and reduce the risk of medication errors?
0.05 mg/kg midazolam
(Correct)0.50 mg dilaudid
.08 mg/kg morphine
4.0 mg of ibuprofen
Explanation:
Correct answer: 0.05 mg/kg midazolam. Always include a zero to the left of the decimal point to clearly indicate a fractional value. Avoid using a trailing zero to the right of the decimal unless followed by another number. The corrections should be 0.5 mg dilaudid, 0.08 mg/kg morphine, and 4 mg of ...
Question 2
The circulating nurse discovers that a friend is scheduled for surgery but is not assigned as her patient. She was unaware of her friend's surgery but wants to offer support. What is the most appropriate course of action, adhering to ethical and legal guidelines?
Contact the friend in pre-op through the nurse, and tell her that you noticed she was on the surgery schedule and ask if she would like support during or after surgery
(Correct)Look up the patient's chart to anticipate what help the friend will need after surgery and take dinner over as a surprise
Ask the circulating nurse about her friend's procedure and how things went to anticipate what help the patient will need
Request to be reassigned to the friend's surgery
Explanation:
Correct answer: Contact the friend in pre-op through the nurse, and tell her that you noticed she was on the surgery schedule and ask if she would like support during or after surgery. HIPAA ensures every patient's right to privacy and confidentiality. The nurse's friend may prefer not to disclose h...
Study Tips for Communication
Practice active listening by having conversations with family or friends and focusing on fully understanding and responding to what they are saying.
Observe healthcare professionals during clinical rotations and take note of their communication techniques, both verbal and non-verbal.
Role-play common communication scenarios with classmates or study groups, focusing on using appropriate tone, body language, and therapeutic communication strategies.
Review case studies or patient scenarios and analyze how effective communication could have improved the patient's experience and outcome.
Familiarize yourself with cultural differences and communication norms that may impact patient interactions.
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Related CNA Topics
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many Communication questions are on the CNA?
Communication is an important component of the CNA exam. Upsero includes hundreds of practice questions covering all aspects of this topic.
How do I study for Communication?
Start with understanding the key concepts, then practice with realistic exam questions. Upsero's ReadyScore tracks your mastery of Communication so you know when you're ready for the real exam.
Are the practice questions similar to the real CNA?
Yes! Our Communication questions are designed to match the exact format, difficulty, and style of the actual CNA exam. Many students say our questions are even harder than the real exam.