Communication (Chapter 4) - Nursing Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering key concepts from the nursing communication lecture notes, including verbal/nonverbal communication, therapeutic relationships, communication techniques, barriers, and special situations.

What are the two main methods used to collect data in nursing communication?

Interview the patient and perform a physical examination.

What is the difference between one-way and two-way communication in the nurse–patient relationship?

One-way: the sender controls and there is limited participation; Two-way: requires both sender and receiver with equal participation.

Define connotative meaning.

The subjective or emotional meaning associated with a word.

Define denotative meaning.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word.

What is jargon and why can it be problematic in nursing?

Specialized language unique to a group; can lead to misinterpretation.

List common components of nonverbal communication.

Voice, eye contact, physical appearance, gestures, posture, facial expressions; plus tone, rate, volume, and touch.

What does an open posture indicate in communication?

Willingness to communicate; speaker faces receiver, may lean forward, arms/legs uncrossed.

What does a closed posture communicate?

A lack of willingness to communicate; arms folded, limited eye contact, turning away.

What is the impact when verbal and nonverbal messages conflict?

The nonverbal message is often not received; clarification is needed.

Define assertive communication.

Confident and comfortable expression of thoughts and feelings while respecting the patient’s rights; interactions are even-sided.

Differentiate aggressive and unassertive (passive) communication.

Aggressive: overpowering, self-interest at others' expense; Unassertive: passive, yields, avoids conflict.

What is considered the most effective form of communication in nursing?

Assertive communication.

What are the key characteristics of a therapeutic relationship?

Caring, sincere, empathetic, trustworthy interaction; patient-focused; trust and professional boundaries.

What is active listening?

Giving full attention to the patient and interpreting both verbal and nonverbal cues.

What is the role of silence in therapeutic communication?

Allows time for thinking and response; requires skill; prolonged silence can be difficult but is vital.

Name nonverbal therapeutic communication techniques listed in Table 4.2.

Active listening, lean forward, don’t interrupt, sit at eye level, maintain silence, touch, conveying acceptance, minimal encouragement.

What is the role of touch in therapeutic communication?

A nonverbal form that can convey warmth, care, and support; use with discretion and ask before touching.

What is closed questioning versus open-ended questioning in verbal techniques?

Closed questioning yields a yes/no or brief answer; open-ended questioning invites elaboration.

What is restating in therapeutic communication?

Repeating back to the patient what the nurse believes is the main point to verify understanding.

What is clarifying in verbal techniques?

Asking for more information or elaboration to understand the message, often followed by restatement.

What is paraphrasing in therapeutic communication?

Restating the patient’s message in the nurse’s own words to verify understanding.

What is focusing in verbal techniques?

Encouraging the patient to concentrate on a specific topic or data point.

What is stating observations in therapeutic communication?

Verbalizing the nurse’s observations to validate the patient’s message and improve accuracy.

What is offering information in verbal techniques?

Providing relevant data and seeking feedback to assess understanding, adjusting for stress.

What are the four interpersonal distance zones?

Intimate (0–18 inches), Personal (18 inches–4 feet), Social (4–12 feet), Public (beyond 12 feet).

What language and interpretation considerations affect communication?

Be cautious of misinterpretation; avoid using family members or children as interpreters; use professional interpretation when needed.

How should posture/positioning affect nurse–patient communication?

Sit at eye level, maintain an open posture, and lean in to show interest; avoid power-posing such as standing at the bedside if it implies control.

What are common barriers to communication?

False reassurance, giving advice, false assumptions, approval/disapproval, automatic responses, defensiveness, arguing, asking for explanations, changing the subject.

What is the role of trust in nurse–patient communication?

Trust is essential for effective interaction and may require adapting communication methods under stress.

What should you consider when communicating with hearing-impaired patients?

Get attention, ensure hearing aids/glasses, face the patient, lip-read, reduce environmental noise, rephrase rather than repeat, use sign language if needed.

What strategies are used with ventilator-dependent patients for communication?

Use communication boards (alphabet, phrases, pictures) or a magic slate/paper and pencil.

How should interactions with unresponsive patients be approached?

Assume that all sounds may be heard; keep talking to the patient and use simple, clear messages.

What are some alternative methods for communicating?

Computer-assisted communication, eye blinks, lip-reading, magnetic boards, paper and pencil/magic slate, picture boards, sign language, word/picture cards.