Patient Communication, Grief, and SOAP Charting

Vocabulary flashcards covering listening types and processes, communication guidelines, non-verbal cues, psychological support, grief stages, and SOAP charting components from the lecture notes.

Analytical Listening

Listening for specific kinds of information and arranging them into categories.

Directed Listening

Listening to answer specific questions that have been posed.

Attentive Listening

Listening for general information to understand the overall picture.

Exploratory Listening

Listening out of personal interest in the topic being discussed.

Appreciative Listening

Listening for pleasure, such as enjoying music.

Courteous Listening

Listening because one feels socially obligated to do so.

Passive Listening

Overhearing without actively paying attention to the discussion.

Hearing (Listening Process)

The physiological act of sound waves striking the eardrum; first step in listening.

Attention (Listening Process)

Focusing on selected sounds or messages after hearing them.

Understanding (Listening Process)

Interpreting the meaning of the sounds that were heard and attended to.

Remembering (Listening Process)

Storing and recalling the information that has been understood.

Attending (Guideline)

Using gestures and posture to show the speaker you are paying attention.

Paraphrasing (Guideline)

Restating another’s message in your own words to confirm understanding.

Requesting Clarification (Guideline)

Admitting misunderstanding and asking for additional information.

Perception Checking

Actively sensing and verifying the messages and emotions a patient conveys.

Reflecting Feelings

Making non-judgmental statements to help identify a patient’s emotions.

Non-Verbal Communication

Conveying messages without words through body movement, facial expression, eye behavior, and voice tone.

Body Movement

Gestures, posture, and physical actions that communicate messages.

Facial Expressions

Movements of facial muscles that convey emotions or reactions.

Eye Behavior

Use of eye contact, gaze, or avoidance to send non-verbal signals.

Voice Tone

Pitch, volume, and inflection that affect how spoken words are interpreted.

Psychological Support

Providing emotional assistance to help patients cope with stress or illness.

Denial (Grief Stage)

Initial refusal to accept the reality of terminal illness or loss.

Anger (Grief Stage)

Stage in which the patient expresses frustration or resentment about the illness.

Bargaining (Grief Stage)

Attempting to negotiate or make deals (e.g., "If only…") to postpone loss.

Depression (Grief Stage)

Deep sadness stemming from awareness of impending loss.

Acceptance (Grief Stage)

Coming to terms with the reality of the situation and finding peace.

SOAP

A four-part acronym (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) used for structured charting.

Subjective Data

Information reported by the patient about feelings, sensations, or concerns.

Objective Data

Measurable or observable information obtained by the clinician or tests.

Assessment (SOAP)

The clinician’s professional conclusion about the cause and severity of the findings.

Plan (SOAP)

The therapeutic strategy designed to address the problems identified in the assessment.