Therapeutic Communication Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the goals, zones, components, and types of therapeutic and assertive communication based on lecture notes.

Intimate Zone

Distance zone ranging from $0$ to $18$ inches.

Personal Zone

Distance zone ranging from $18$ to $36$ inches.

Social Zone

Distance zone ranging from $4$ to $12$ feet.

Public Zone

Distance zone ranging from $12$ to $25$ feet.

Comfortable Therapeutic Distance

The distance most comfortable for therapeutic communication, usually $3$ to $6$ feet apart.

Trust

A component of the therapeutic relationship, as detailed in Box 5.1.

Genuine Interest

A component of the therapeutic relationship involving sincere attention to the client.

Empathy

A component of the therapeutic relationship involving the ability to understand and share the feelings of the client.

Acceptance

A component of the therapeutic relationship focusing on receiving the client without judgment.

Positive Regard

A component of the therapeutic relationship showing unconditional respect for the patient.

Self Awareness

A component of the therapeutic relationship involving the nurse's understanding of their own beliefs and values.

Therapeutic Use of Self

The nurse's use of their own personality and communication skills to help patients improve their health.

Concrete Messages

Communication that is clear and direct rather than abstract.

Exploring, Focusing, Restating, Reflecting

Techniques used in verbal communication to promote discussion of feelings or concerns in more depth.

Feedback

A communication technique achieved by making an observation or presenting reality.

Nontherapeutic Techniques

Communication behaviors to avoid, including advising, belittling, challenging, probing, and reassuring.

Overt Signals

Clear and direct communication cues.

Covert Signals

Hidden signals in communication such as themes, metaphors, proverbs, and clichés.

Impassive Facial Expression

A non-verbal signal where the face shows no emotion.

Open Body Position

A non-verbal behavior that indicates receptiveness and facilitates communication.

Diminishing Behaviors

Actions that harm the therapeutic relationship, such as inappropriate boundaries, sympathy leading to client dependency, and nonacceptance or avoidance.

Assertive Communication

Expression of positive and negative feelings or ideas in an open, honest, and direct way using calm, specific factual statements and 'I' statements.

Aggressive Response

A communication style involving yelling, accusations, or inflammatory comments, such as stomping out after saying nothing for days.

Passive–aggressive Response

A communication style using sarcasm or indirect expressions of hostility, such as saying 'So nice of her to join us!' in a sarcastic manner.

Passive Response

A communication style where one doesn't say anything to the person involved but complains to others later.