Nunes short test 2

What is communication?

Communication is a two-way process.

What is the foundation of successful personal and professional relationships?

Communication.

When is communication successful?

When the sender and receiver understand the message the same way.

What does nonverbal communication consist of?

Eye contact, facial expressions, body language, gestures, posture, tone of voice, and touch.

What may contradict a patient’s verbal message?

Nonverbal cues.

What should you develop to convey interest, compassion, knowledge, and information?

Communication skills and the ability to listen.

What are effective verbal communication guidelines?

Prepare your thoughts before you speak, analyze the intent of each message, adapt to your physical settings.

What should you consider when communicating?

Tone of voice, rate of speech, and body language.

What should you do to ensure patient understanding?

Follow up communications and ask the right questions.

What is social conversation?

Polite or friendly exchanges of factual or social information (chitchat).

What is supportive communication?

More goal oriented; helps relieve patient anxiety, anger, or frustration.

What are effective communication guidelines?

Listening, observing, responding appropriately, maintaining silence, clarifying, repeating, gathering information, summarizing, accepting, touching.

What are common communication barriers?

Talking too fast, using slang or medical vocabulary, “talking down,” hostile tones, labeling patients, lack of common language.

What causes cutting off communication?

Feeling embarrassed, threatened, or distrustful.

What are negative communication traits?

Judgmental responses, arguing, solving, interrupting, changing the subject, distractions, false assurances, untruthfulness, evasion, avoidance, false reassurance.

What can affect communication?

Physical or emotional states.

How should you communicate with hearing-impaired patients?

Face them directly, use lower tone, reduce noise, get attention, never talk from another room, write things down.

How should you assist visually impaired patients?

Promote independence, determine corrective lenses, have them hold your arm while leading.

How should you approach blind patients?

Say “Hello,” explain actions, use touch and tone of voice, avoid nonverbal responses.

How should you communicate with speech-impaired patients?

Speak slowly, clearly, use simple sentences, repeat or rephrase, use gestures.

How should you communicate with confused patients?

Use simple, direct language, ask one question at a time, allow time, use reality techniques.

How should you communicate with disoriented patients?

Talk face to face, keep environment calm, use supportive communication, correct gently.

How should you communicate with mentally challenged patients?

Speak to mental age, be patient, flexible, supportive, speak slowly, look them in the eye.

What is a communication triad?

Sonographer, patient, and family member or interpreter; not used when confidentiality is required.

What is professional communication?

Interviewing, instructing, reporting findings, participating in meetings, recording information, contacting physicians, scheduling patients.

What should sonographer reports include?

Measurements, echogenicity, location of structures, unusual positions, difficulties.

Are sonographer reports diagnostic?

No, they are not diagnostic reports.

What are the five stages of grief?

Denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance.

What is critical thinking for sonographers?

Solving complex problems using scientific methodology.

What are characteristics of critical thinking?

Goal-directed thinking, judgments based on fact, open-mindedness.

What promotes critical thinking?

Collaborative learning—working together in small groups toward a common goal.

What percentage of sonographers experience pain while scanning?
A: Three-fourths of the workforce.

What is ergonomics?

The creation of a safe working environment.

What causes musculoskeletal injuries?

Cumulative trauma, poor posture, insufficient rest, stress, age, gender.

What are repetitive strain injury causes?

Poor equipment, improper body mechanics, long procedures, force, insufficient breaks, repetition.

What are common injury sites?

Neck, back, hips, shoulders, wrists, hands, fingers, feet.

What postures are associated with injury?

Neck flexion, shoulder abduction, wrist deviation, low back twisting.

What causes lower back pain?

Sitting or standing long periods; prevented by correct posture and exercise.

What causes upper back and neck pain?

Repetitive strain from poor posture.

What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)?

Compression of blood vessels or nerves.

What are TOS symptoms?
A: Pain, numbness, weakness in arm/hand.

What causes shoulder pain?

Arm abduction >30°, repetitive or static force.

What is bursitis?

Inflammation of the bursa; causes pain, tenderness, swelling; treated with rest, ice, NSAIDs.

What is tendonitis?

Aching pain and stiffness in tendon area; worsens after activity.

What is de Quervain disease?

Painful inflammation of thumb-side wrist tendons due to repetitive motion.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Compression of median nerve at wrist causing numbness and burning.

What is epicondylitis?

Strain on forearm muscles; lateral = tennis elbow, medial = golfer’s elbow.

What is osteoarthritis?

Degenerative joint disease caused by repetitive movements; managed with anti-inflammatory meds.

What is plantar fasciitis?

Heel pain from overuse and stress; treated with rest, ice, stretching, orthotics.

What is tarsal tunnel syndrome?

Compression of posterior tibial nerve; causes ankle numbness or burning.

How can sonographers prevent work-related pain?

Frequent rest, exercise, correct posture, ergonomic workplace.

What steps help avoid injury?

Be aware of causes, modify behavior, take breaks, change posture, see a physical therapist.

What should ergonomic equipment provide?

Flexibility, height adjustability, proper support.

What lighting is safe for scanning?

Low ambient light, full-spectrum bulbs on dimmer switch.

What is the 20-20-20 rule?

Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

What is eustress?

Positive stress.

What is distress?

Negative stress causing anxiety or mental suffering.

What are workplace stressors?

Monotony, conflict, role ambiguity, overload, nonparticipation, underutilization, resource inadequacy.

What are psychosocial causes of injury?

Reluctance to rest, fear of job loss, heavy workload.

What are effects of being “stressed out”?

Fatigue, headaches, irritability, memory loss, insomnia, high blood pressure.

How can you cope with workplace stress?

Improve physical and emotional well-being, avoid negative habits, improve communication.

What is burnout?

Chronic work-related stress causing poor motivation and job dissatisfaction.

What are compassion fatigue symptoms?

Emotional detachment, exhaustion, cynicism, anger, frustration, hopelessness.

How can you combat compassion fatigue?

Maintain boundaries, empathize objectively, stay healthy, relax, discuss issues, know limits.