AES - Communications: Communication Barriers

Which of the following is a method that health care workers and patients can use to overcome a speech challenge?

• Use complex language

• Ask extra questions to make sure the patient understands

• Hurry the patient

• Require only brief answers

Which of the following is NOT a method that health care workers and patients can use to overcome a hearing challenge?

• Sign language

• Look at the patient's chart when speaking

• Use gestures

• Writing messages

What is the term that describes "anything that interferes with effective communication?"

• Communication barrier

• Complacency

• Selective comprehension

• Preconception

What should be done if you are concerned about a patient's ability to understand important information?

• Get permission from the patient to speak with a family member.

• Give the patient the information and assume he understands when he nods.

• Assume it will not harm the patient not to know every detail.

• Leave it to the physician to figure out because you have other tasks that need to be completed.

As a health care worker, you have just been informed that the pulse must be counted for a full 60 seconds rather than 30 seconds, as it has been done in the past. How should you respond?

• Complain to your co-workers that this will take longer and is unnecessary.

• Find out who messed things up so badly that a change in process was required.

• Sigh audibly.

• Begin using the new procedure without comment, if you have no questions.

Which of the following can be caused by a rushed encounter with a patient?

• You provide the best care you are capable of.

• You overlook important patient information.

• The patient feels comfortable.

• The patient feels important and cared-for.

Which of the following is an emotion or attitude that can create a communication barrier?

• Courtesy

• Empathy

• Respect

• Indifference

Which of the following is true of communication barriers?

• The best way to deal with prejudice is to tolerate and ignore it.

• Someone with preconceptions is open-minded towards others and their ideas.

• Cultural communication barriers are simple to overcome.

• When people are preoccupied with their own problems, they can miss much of the message coming from another person.

Clinging to the established method of doing things is known as what?

• Preconceptions

• Selective comprehension

• Resistance to change

• Complacency

Which of the following is a method that health care workers and patients can use to overcome a vision challenge?

• Dim the lights

• Describe what is happening

• Minimize body language

• Speak loudly