Short Answer Questions

Chapter 12: Health education and communication

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1. Which three variables are involved in a person's motivation to change their health behaviour?

Three variables that play a major role in motivation to change are: (1) risk perception; (2) outcome expectancies; and (3) perceived self-efficacy.

2. In developing an intervention to increase safer sex behaviour in young people, a nurse focuses on the ways in which their friends view condom usage. What term is used to describe group-held beliefs about how members should behave in a given context?

Social norms.

3. What term describes a person's belief that they can successfully engage in a behaviour that promotes health?

Self-efficacy.

4. Which theory describes health behaviour change as a cycle?

The stages of change model or the transtheoretical model of change.

5. The stages of change model or the transtheoretical model of change.

• 80%
• 50%
• 10%
• Less than 10%

The correct answer is 80%. Up to 80% of patients forget what their doctor or nurse tells them as soon as they leave the office. And nearly 50% of what they do remember is recalled incorrectly.

6. What does SOLER mean in relation to communication skills?

• Sit squarely facing the patient, ideally on the same level.
• Open questions.
• Listen actively to the patient.
• Eye contact if acceptable to the patient.
• Reflection, i.e. repeat the wishes expressed by the patient back to them to clarify that the nurse has heard and understood the patient's expressed needs.

7. What should a nurse pay attention to when communicating health information to a person whose first language is not English and/or comes from a culturally or linguistically diverse community? (In addition to any need for an interpreter.)

• Be alert to messages you send via body language and facial expressions. Make sure body language is sensitive to cultural identity.
• Take steps to avoid appearing rushed or distracted.
• Be alert to your patient's body language.
• Explain the reasons behind treatment options.
• Avoid using overly technical terms.
• Provide hands-on training for any new skills presented to patients. Discuss medications in detail.
• Review important points with patients.
• Provide clear written instructions that do not rely on high levels of literacy.

8. What is the difference between motivational interviewing (MI) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)?

MI is a style of client-centred counselling developed to facilitate health-related behaviours by resolving clients' lack of motivation. CBT focuses on the way a person's thoughts influence their behaviour and will aim to teach skills to reframe thinking.