Communication in Nursing - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on communication in nursing.

Therapeutic communication

A process that promotes personal growth and attainment of patients’ health-related goals; central to nurse-patient relationships and patient safety.

Nurse-patient relationship

A caring, therapeutic bond formed through effective communication that supports healing and positive health outcomes.

Interpersonal communication

Communication between people that builds relationships and uses verbal and nonverbal cues.

Intrapersonal communication

Communication that occurs within an individual; self-talk and internal reflection.

Levels of communication

Intrapersonal, interpersonal (one-to-one), small group, public, and electronic levels.

Referent

The cue or motivator that initiates communication.

Sender and receiver

The encoder and decoder of messages; roles may switch during interaction.

Message

Content that is transmitted from sender to receiver.

Channel

Medium used to convey the message (spoken, written, electronic).

Feedback

The receiver’s response that indicates understanding or misunderstanding.

Environment

The physical and social setting in which communication occurs.

Interpersonal variables

Personal factors—perception, values, attitudes, culture—that influence communication.

Denotative meaning

Literal, dictionary meaning of a word.

Connotative meaning

The implied or emotional meaning beyond the literal.

Pacing

Speed or tempo of speech.

Intonation

Rise and fall of voice that conveys meaning or emphasis.

Clarity and brevity

Being clear and concise to prevent misinterpretation.

Timing and relevance

Delivering messages at an appropriate time and context.

Verbal communication

Use of words to convey messages; includes vocabulary and articulation.

Nonverbal communication

Communication through appearance, posture, facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, sounds, and space.

Metacommunication

Communication about communication—tone, context, and cues that influence interpretation.

SOLER

Active listening technique: Sit facing the patient; Open posture; Lean toward; Eye contact; Relax.

Active listening

Fully concentrating on what the patient says, attending to verbal and nonverbal cues and responding appropriately.

Adapting communication to cognitive impairment

Modifying strategies to facilitate communication for patients with cognitive impairment.

Adapting communication to hearing impairment

Using clear speech, managing background noise, and ensuring hearing devices or interpreters are available.

Adapting communication to visual impairment

Using verbal descriptions and other cues to convey information to someone with limited vision.

Adapting communication to language barriers

Using simple language, interpreters, and visual aids to overcome language differences.

Motivational Interviewing

Nonjudgmental, guided conversation designed to elicit patients’ thoughts and commitments to change.

Preinteraction phase

Phase that occurs before meeting the patient.

Orientation phase

Phase when the nurse and patient meet and begin to know each other.

Working phase

Phase in which the nurse and patient collaborate to solve problems and achieve goals.

Termination phase

Phase that ends the relationship.

Therapeutic communication techniques

A set of techniques that encourage expression and acceptance, including active listening, empathy, hope, humor, feelings, touch, silence, information, clarification, focusing, paraphrasing, validation, questioning, summarizing, self-disclosure, and confrontation.

Nontherapeutic communication techniques

Techniques that hinder communication, such as asking personal questions, giving personal opinions, changing the subject, automatic responses, false reassurance, sympathy, explanations, approval/disapproval, defensive, passive or aggressive responses, and arguing.