CELBAN Listening to Patient Dialogues 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A nurse overhears a patient tell their family member: 'The doctor said something about my potassium being low, but I don't really understand what that means for me.' What is the patient expressing?
- Satisfaction with the physician's explanation
- Confusion about the clinical significance of a lab result (Correct answer)
- Concern that the doctor made a mistake
- A request to speak with a dietitian
Correct answer: Confusion about the clinical significance of a lab result
The patient is indicating they received information but do not understand its implications, signaling a need for further education.
Question 2: During a handover, you hear the outgoing nurse say: 'Mrs. Patel in room 4 has been a bit short with staff all morning — she mentioned she didn't sleep at all.' What should the incoming nurse prioritize?
- Documenting the patient's behavioral problem
- Assessing for pain, discomfort, or anxiety that may be causing sleeplessness and irritability (Correct answer)
- Limiting interactions with Mrs. Patel to reduce conflict
- Notifying the physician that the patient is non-compliant
Correct answer: Assessing for pain, discomfort, or anxiety that may be causing sleeplessness and irritability
Sleep disturbance and irritability are often symptoms of an underlying issue such as pain or anxiety that warrants assessment.
Question 3: A patient says to you: 'I took my blood pressure pill this morning but I'm not sure I should have — I felt dizzy right after.' Which response best demonstrates active listening?
- 'You should always take your medication as prescribed.'
- 'Tell me more about the dizziness — when did it start and how long did it last?' (Correct answer)
- 'That's probably just a side effect, it will go away.'
- 'Did you eat breakfast before taking the pill?'
Correct answer: 'Tell me more about the dizziness — when did it start and how long did it last?'
Open-ended follow-up that invites the patient to elaborate reflects active listening and gathers clinically relevant detail.
Question 4: While monitoring a shared room, a nurse hears one patient whisper to another: 'I heard the nurses say my test came back bad but nobody's told me officially yet.' What is the most appropriate nursing action?
- Inform the patient that overheard conversations may be inaccurate
- Confirm or deny the test result immediately to reduce anxiety
- Notify the responsible physician so the patient can receive a proper explanation (Correct answer)
- Document that the patient is spreading rumors among peers
Correct answer: Notify the responsible physician so the patient can receive a proper explanation
Results should be communicated by the responsible provider; the nurse's role is to escalate so the patient receives accurate, timely information.
Question 5: A patient's son says during a visit: 'My mother keeps saying her pain is a 3 out of 10, but she's clearly grimacing and barely moving. Should I be worried?' What does this dialogue indicate?
- The patient is exaggerating her discomfort to her family
- There may be a discrepancy between the patient's self-report and observable pain cues (Correct answer)
- The family member is over-interpreting normal post-operative behavior
- The numeric pain scale is the most reliable measure available
Correct answer: There may be a discrepancy between the patient's self-report and observable pain cues
When verbal self-report and non-verbal cues conflict, nurses must assess both and investigate possible reasons such as stoicism or fear of medication.
Question 6: A nurse hears a patient on the phone say: 'They want me to go home tomorrow but I live alone and I'm still so weak — I'm scared.' What is the nurse's best next step?
- Reassure the patient that discharge criteria are medically determined
- Notify the care team and initiate a discharge planning discussion including social work (Correct answer)
- Extend the patient's stay by one day without consulting the physician
- Advise the patient to ask a family member to move in temporarily
Correct answer: Notify the care team and initiate a discharge planning discussion including social work
The patient's concern about safety at home is a discharge planning issue requiring multidisciplinary input, including social work.
Question 7: During a shift, a patient asks their roommate loudly: 'Do you know what NPO means? They told me I can't eat but didn't explain why.' What is the nurse's most appropriate response when they overhear this?
- Allow the roommate to explain so the patient feels comfortable asking peers
- Approach the patient and explain that NPO means nothing by mouth, then clarify the reason related to their care (Correct answer)
- Document that patient education was provided by peer support
- Inform the charge nurse that the patient is confused about their care plan
Correct answer: Approach the patient and explain that NPO means nothing by mouth, then clarify the reason related to their care
The nurse should directly educate the patient about NPO status and the clinical rationale, as patient understanding supports safety and compliance.
CELBAN Listening to Patient Dialogues 2
A nurse overhears a patient tell their family member: 'The doctor said something about my potassium being low, but I don't really understand what that means for me.' What is the patient expressing?