Which statement is a step in closed-loop communication?

Which statement is a step in closed-loop communication?

• A. Announcing task completion before finishing current tasks
• B. Confirming task completion before assigning another task
• C. Interrupting to speed up
• D. Ignoring confirmation

Answer: (B)

Closed-loop communication relies on a feedback loop where instructions are not considered complete until they are understood, acted on, and verified. In a resuscitation or teamwork setting, the pattern is: assign a task, the person repeats or confirms what they will do, and the leader confirms that the task is completed before moving on to the next assignment. The statement about confirming task completion before assigning another task embodies this loop—it ensures the previous action is done and understood before new work begins, maintaining accuracy and situational awareness. When you announce completion before actually finishing current tasks, you risk advancing with incomplete work. Interrupting to speed up breaks the orderly back-and-forth needed for confirmation. Ignoring confirmation eliminates the essential check that closes the loop, allowing miscommunication to slip through.

Closed-loop communication relies on a feedback loop where instructions are not considered complete until they are understood, acted on, and verified. In a resuscitation or teamwork setting, the pattern is: assign a task, the person repeats or confirms what they will do, and the leader confirms that the task is completed before moving on to the next assignment. The statement about confirming task completion before assigning another task embodies this loop—it ensures the previous action is done and understood before new work begins, maintaining accuracy and situational awareness.

When you announce completion before actually finishing current tasks, you risk advancing with incomplete work. Interrupting to speed up breaks the orderly back-and-forth needed for confirmation. Ignoring confirmation eliminates the essential check that closes the loop, allowing miscommunication to slip through.