Free Therapeutic Communication Practice Questions

1. A resident who wears hearing aids tells the CNA that the hearing aids are not working. The CNA should FIRST check whether:

• The hearing aids need to be replaced with a completely new pair
• The hearing aids are turned on, the battery is working, and the ear mold is free of earwax
• The resident is pretending the hearing aids do not work to get attention
• The television volume is loud enough to compensate for the hearing loss

2. A resident who is hard of hearing has a hearing aid. The CNA notices the hearing aid is whistling (producing feedback). This is MOST likely caused by:

• The battery is too strong
• The hearing aid is not properly seated in the ear or the volume is too high
• The resident is speaking too loudly
• The room is too quiet

3. When communicating with a resident, the CNA should maintain eye contact PRIMARILY because it:

• Allows the CNA to check if the resident is sleeping
• Shows the resident that the CNA is paying attention and values what they are saying
• Helps the CNA remember what the resident said for documentation
• Is required by law for all healthcare interactions

4. A resident's adult daughter approaches the CNA and tearfully says, "I feel so guilty putting my mother in a nursing home. Am I a terrible person?" The MOST therapeutic response is:

• "Yes, most families feel terrible about it, but you will get used to it."
• "It sounds like this decision has been very difficult for you. Many families struggle with this. Would you like to speak with our social worker about your feelings?"
• "You should not feel guilty. She is getting better care here than at home."
• "I don't really have time to talk about this. I need to finish my rounds."

5. Active listening involves:

• Interrupting the resident to ask questions
• Giving full attention, maintaining eye contact, and providing feedback such as nodding
• Doing other tasks while the resident speaks
• Thinking about what to say next while the resident is talking