Nursing Communication and Defense Mechanisms

Comprehensive flashcards covering therapeutic vs. non-therapeutic communication techniques and psychological defense mechanisms based on nursing fundamentals.

Empathy

A therapeutic communication technique where the nurse listens and imagines themselves in another person's circumstance to improve the interaction.

Sympathy

A non-therapeutic response involving the expression of feelings about another's circumstance, which can cause the person to feel unheard or alone.

Restating

A therapeutic technique where the nurse validates a patient or family statement by posing the previous statement back as a question.

False Assurance

A non-therapeutic technique also known as false reassurance, characterized by telling a patient things will turn out well when they may not, often using cliches.

Accepting

The act of understanding and receiving an item, action, gesture, or emotion; in healthcare, this includes acknowledging information or a patient consenting to a procedure.

Rejecting

A non-therapeutic act of refusing a service, gesture, or deed, or not acknowledging information being relayed by a patient.

Focusing

A therapeutic technique where the nurse centers attention on the patient and their specific concerns rather than just their illness.

Giving Advice

A non-therapeutic technique involving the nurse providing a personal opinion, which may ignore the patient's views.

Clarifying

A therapeutic technique involving targeted questions used to gain a firm grasp of a patient's situation and aid in diagnosis or treatment.

Questioning (Overwhelming)

A non-therapeutic approach where asking too many questions causes a patient to shut down or feel their concerns are not being heard.

Voicing Doubt

A therapeutic technique used to challenge a patient's beliefs when they do not align with reality.

Voicing Approval

A non-therapeutic technique that may keep a patient in a state of delusion or reinforce incorrect assumptions.

Sharing Observations

A therapeutic technique where the nurse mentions things they have noticed (e.g., 'I see you haven’t eaten much') to encourage conversation and show attention to detail.

Changing the Subject

A non-therapeutic technique that can make a patient feel their concerns are ignored, potentially damaging the nurse-patient trust.

Giving Information

A therapeutic act of educating a patient with facts backed by reputable data without adding personal bias or personal experience.

Giving Stereotypical/Generalized Responses

A non-therapeutic approach where responses may have a factual base but are misconstrued by personal experience or cliches like 'you’ll be fine.'

Active Listening

A therapeutic technique involving full concentration on verbal and nonverbal communication, accompanied by cues like nodding.

Summarizing

A therapeutic technique used to condense information from its original length while restating the main ideas and essential points.

Closed-ended Questions

A non-therapeutic questioning style that limits responses to 'yes' or 'no,' which gathers specific data but can block further communication.

Reflecting Feelings

A therapeutic technique where the nurse listens to the patient and reflects back a specific feeling to validate the patient's experience.

Asking WHY?

A non-therapeutic questioning method that can come across to the patient as harsh, judgmental, or accusatory.

Paraphrasing

A therapeutic technique defined as restating complex information into simpler terms for the patient's understanding.

Showing Agreement/Disagreement

Non-therapeutic forms of communication where the nurse tells the patient they are right or wrong, which can block the expression of emotion or problem-solving.

Compensation

A defense mechanism where an individual attempts to overachieve in one area because they do not feel confident in another.

Denial

A defense mechanism involving the refusal to accept or acknowledge a painful reality, thought, or feeling.

Displacement

A defense mechanism where an emotional reaction is transferred from one person or object to another.

Introjection

A defense mechanism where an individual adopts the values and qualities of a person who has influenced them greatly.

Projection

An unconscious defense mechanism where one's own internal emotions are displaced or attributed to another person.

Rationalization

A defense mechanism providing logical or socially acceptable explanations to justify unusual behavior or decisions.

Regression

A defense mechanism where a person exhibits behaviors associated with previous, lower levels of development.

Repression

An involuntary suppression of stressful or anxiety-producing information from the conscious memory.

Sublimation

A defense mechanism where a person substitutes a taboo or inappropriate desire with a more socially acceptable one.

Suppression

The voluntary or conscious removal of a stressful or anxiety-inducing memory from one's awareness.

Verbal Communication

Communication through words used to exchange information; it is therapeutic when caring, respectful, and purposeful.

Nonverbal Communication

The transmission of messages through body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, personal space, and pace of conversation.

Non-therapeutic Communication

Interactions that act as barriers, blocking the patient's ability to communicate feelings, express emotion, or participate in problem-solving.