Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What occurs when a nurse interprets a client's message?

1. Encoding

2. Decoding

3. Restating

4. Reflecting

The correct answer is: Decoding

When a nurse interprets a client's message, the process being utilized is known as decoding. This refers to the nurse's ability to understand and make sense of the information provided by the client. Decoding involves the interpretation of verbal and non-verbal cues, ensuring that the nurse comprehends the client's feelings, needs, and concerns accurately. Encoding, on the other hand, pertains to the process of transforming thoughts and feelings into a message that can be communicated to others. This is not the stage taking place when a nurse is interpreting what the client is saying. Restating generally involves repeating back what the client has said in order to clarify or confirm understanding, while reflecting involves conveying back the emotional content or feelings that the client has expressed. Neither restating nor reflecting represents the act of interpreting the message, which is central to decoding. Thus, the focus on understanding and interpretation that characterizes decoding is what makes it the correct answer.