Nursing Communication Skills: Techniques, Barriers, and Documentation

what is the importance of effective communication in nursing practice?

it promotes patient safety, therapeutic relationships, and teamwork within the healthcare setting

what are the four types of communication techniques used in nursing care?

verbal, nonverbal, written, and electronic communication

what is therapeutic communication?

a technique that involves using active listening, empathy, and professional communication during interactions w/ patients and healthcare teams

what are the components of the basic communication process?

sender (encoder), message, channel, receiver (decoder), feedback

what is verbal communication?

exchange of info via spoken/written words

what does nonverbal include?

gait. facial expressions, touch, eye contact, silence, body language, appearance, posture, gestures, tone, and sounds

what is electronic communication in healthcare?

the use of technology to communicate and share info, including email, text messaging, and electronic health records

what are some benefits of electronic communication in nursing?

improves communication, enhances patient safety, increases efficiency, allows faster access to info, supports continuity of care, and expands access of healthcare services

what are the levels of communication?

intrapersonal, interpersonal, public/organizational, and small group communication

what factors influence communication in nursing?

developmental level, sociocultural differences, roles and responsibilities, space and territoriality, physical/mental/emotional state, values, and enviroment

what is the intimate zone of communication?

the closest personal space around a person

what does SBAR stand for in hand-off communication?

situation, background, assessment, recommendation

what are the 6 QSEN competencies?

patient-centered care, teamwork & collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, safety, informatics

what are key interviewing techniques in therapeutic communication?

open-ended questions, closed questions, validating, clarifying, reflecting, sequencing, directing and facilitation

what common mistakes should be avoided in patient interviews?

asking only yes/no questions, interrupting the patient, using medical jargon, and rushing the interview

what are the barriers to effective communication in nursing?

failure to perceive the patient as a human being, failure to listen, nontherapeutic comments, changing the subject, giving false assurance, gossip, and rumors

what is impaired verbal communication?

a decreased, delayed, or absent ability to receive, process, transmit, or use spoken language

how can communication difficulties affect a person?

they can significantly affect a person’s ability to learn, work, socialize, and participate in healthcare decisions

what is the role of silence in therapeutic communication?

silence can be used to allow patients to think and process their thoughts during conversations

what is the significance of touch in communication?

touch can convey empathy, support, and reassurance in a therapeutic context

what is the impact of disruptive interpersonal behavior in healthcare?

it can lead to incivility, bullying, and negatively affect communication among healthcare professionals

what should be done in response to disruptive behaviors in communication?

address the behavior directly and seek to maintain a respectful and professional environment