Ch. 9

The critical exchange of thoughts, ideas, and information essential for quality patient care in healthcare.

Communication

A psychological framework describing a hierarchy where basic human needs must be met before aspiring to higher ones.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

The most basic level of needs including oxygen, food, water, rest, and elimination.

Physiologic needs

The level of human need involving shelter and freedom from harm and danger.

Security and Safety needs

The need for affection, feeling of belongingness, and meaningful relations with others.

Love needs

The need to be well thought of by oneself as well as by others.

Self-esteem

The highest level of human need involving self-fulfillment, learning, creativity, and experiencing one's potential.

Self-actualization

A normal human response to loss characterized by five distinct phases.

Grief

The initial phase of the grieving process often involving disbelief.

Denial

The second phase of the grieving process characterized by frustration or resentment.

Anger

The phase of the grieving process involving attempts to make deals or trade-offs.

Bargaining

The phase of the grieving process involving sadness, withdrawal, or silence.

Depression

The final phase of the grieving process involving coming to terms with the reality of loss.

Acceptance

Internal factors such as personal values and attitudes that can lead to bias in healthcare communication.

Self-awareness

The creation of meaning in which both patient and healthcare practitioners exchange information for active care participation.

Effective communication in healthcare

The category of communication that includes grooming, clothing, gestures, and posture.

Nonverbal communication

The study of body language as a form of nonverbal communication.

Kinesics

The study of personal space in the context of nonverbal communication.

Proxemics

A form of nonverbal communication categorized as either task-oriented or affective.

Touch

Spoken communication used to establish trust between the patient and the sonographer.

Verbal communication

A type of verbal communication aimed at accomplishing a particular objective in patient care.

Therapeutic verbal communication

A critical communication skill involving full attention, receiving information without interruption, and clarifying key points.

Active listening

Spoken communication that blocks or hinders the effective exchange of information.

Nontherapeutic verbal communication

Any factor that negatively affects or interferes with the communication process.

Noise

Type of questions that are often quickly answered with a 'yes' or 'no'.

Closed-ended questions

Type of questions that encourage the patient to provide more detailed information or embellishment.

Open-ended questions

The technique of restating what the patient says to demonstrate that the healthcare provider is listening.

Paraphrasing

The technique used to avoid misinterpretation by asking the patient for more specific information.

Clarifying

A therapeutic technique that allows time for thinking and stimulates further conversation.

Silence

A nontherapeutic technique involving unlikely or unrealistic assurances given to a patient.

Making false promises

A nontherapeutic technique using overused expressions that may minimize a patient's feelings.

Using clichés

A nontherapeutic communication barrier where the healthcare provider overtly opposes the patient's view.

Disagreeing

A nontherapeutic technique that can make a patient feel defensive by forcing them to justify their actions.

Demanding an explanation

A nontherapeutic barrier where the provider shifts the conversation away from the patient's concerns.

Changing the subject

A nontherapeutic technique involving treating the patient in a condescending manner.

Patronizing

A nontherapeutic technique that takes away patient autonomy by telling them what they should do.

Giving advice

Informal terms of endearment like 'honey' or 'sweetie' that should be avoided in professional communication.

Colloquial terms

Technical medical language that can act as a barrier if overused with patients.

Medical jargon

The differences that exist between individuals or groups, including age, gender, religion, and ethnicity.

Diversity

A system of shared beliefs, values, and behavioral characteristics that provide social structure to a group.

Culture

Biological descriptors referring to skin color, body structure, hair texture, and facial appearance.

Race

A descriptor for a group of people who share a common history or origin.

Ethnicity

The process of understanding one's own culture and interacting effectively with people of different cultures.

Cultural competence

Three factors that contribute to low levels of cultural competence in healthcare.

Bias, stereotyping, and prejudice

The mandatory physician's document required before every diagnostic sonographic examination.

Physician’s order

The three major sections of a medical report including history, findings, and overall impression.

Report components

The three fundamental accessories required for a sonographer’s job.

Gel, stretcher, and ultrasound machine

Information collected from the patient that plays a critical role in making a correct diagnosis.

Clinical history

The first step of the sonographic examination involving the review of the requisition.

Assessment of Relevant Documents

Step six of the sonographic examination where the sonographer explains the medical use of ultrasound.

Patient Education

The degree to which an individual can understand health status to make appropriate health decisions.

Health literacy

The final document typically including findings and measurements of normal and abnormal structures.

Sonographer’s report

The ninth step of the sonographic examination involving professional communication with the radiologist.

Interaction with Interpreting Physician

The tenth step of the sonographic examination involving providing instructions before the patient leaves.

Discharging Patient

The use of receptive posture and non-distracted listening to show engagement.

Demonstrating attentiveness

The primary component of communication that makes up the overwhelming majority of information exchange.

Nonverbal cues

The phase of grief that may involve bouncing back and forth between stages or skipping them.

Fluidity of grief

A specific communication requirement involving checking a patient’s identity before starting a procedure.

Patient Confirmation

The essential professional tone required when working collaboratively with interpreting physicians.

Respectful and professional communication

The standard protocol of cleaning the examination room and ensuring supplies are ready before the patient arrives.

Preparing Examination Room