Communication and Culture exam

Communication

Sharing a message between a sender and receiver.

Sender

The person who sends the message.

Receiver

The person who receives the message.

One-way communication

Communication that goes in one direction.

Two-way communication

Communication where both people communicate.

Verbal communication

Communication using spoken words, written words, or symbols.

Denotative meaning

The literal meaning of a word.

Connotative meaning

The feelings or ideas connected to a word.

Jargon

Specialized words that may not be understood by everyone.

Nonverbal communication

Communication without words.

Examples of nonverbal communication

Voice, eye contact, appearance, gestures, and posture.

Assertive communication

The best communication style; respects both the patient and the nurse.

Aggressive communication

Forceful or overpowering communication that focuses on one's own needs.

Unassertive communication

Giving in to what others want, which can create additional problems.

Therapeutic relationship

A caring, sincere, empathetic, and trustworthy relationship focused on the patient.

Trust

Essential for an effective nurse-patient relationship.

Restating

Repeating the patient's main idea.

Paraphrasing

Saying the patient's message in different words.

Clarifying

Making sure you understand what the patient means.

Focusing

Directing attention to an important topic.

Reflecting

Sending the patient's thoughts or feelings back to them.

Summarizing

Reviewing the important points of the conversation.

Offering information

Giving the patient needed information.

Open-ended questions

Questions that allow the patient to give more information.

Closed questions

Questions that usually get a short or specific answer.

Silence

Allows the patient time to think or talk.

Conveying acceptance

Showing the patient that they are accepted.

Nontherapeutic communication

Communication that can interfere with a trusting relationship.

Examples of nontherapeutic communication

False reassurance, giving advice, personal opinions, false assumptions, approval/disapproval, defensiveness, arguing, asking for explanations, and changing the subject.

Four personal space zones

Intimate, personal, social, and public.

Special communication situations

Communication with ventilator-dependent, aphasic, or unresponsive patients.

Alternative communication methods

Eye blinks, picture boards, sign language, writing, word/picture cards, computer-assisted communication, lip-reading, and clock-face communication.

Transcultural nursing

Understanding and including cultural differences when providing nursing care.

Health disparities

Preventable negative health outcomes that affect disadvantaged groups more often.

Culture

Learned values, beliefs, customs, and practices shared by a group and passed from generation to generation.

Subculture

A group within a larger culture that has its own characteristics and behaviors.

Cultural competence

Respecting cultural differences and avoiding stereotypes and assumptions.

Unconscious bias

An unintentional bias based on a cultural stereotype.

Cultural bias

Believing your own culture's beliefs and practices are the best.

Race

Shared biological and physical characteristics.

Ethnicity

Shared social and cultural heritage.

Language barrier

When a patient has difficulty communicating because of limited language ability.

Professional translator

Should be used for healthcare communication when there is a language barrier.

Disability

A condition that makes certain activities more difficult.

Ableism

Discrimination or prejudice against people with disabilities.

Cultural assessment

Assessment of language, communication, nonverbal behavior, personal space, time, family structure, and cultural influences.

Biomedical health belief system

Health is viewed as the absence of disease and treatment uses physical and chemical interventions.

Folk health belief system

Illness may be viewed as natural or unnatural and treatment may include rituals or repentance.

Holistic health belief system

Focuses on restoring balance between the physical, social, and metaphysical worlds.

Alternative/complementary health belief system

Uses nonmedical forms of therapy.

Jehovah's Witness

Religious group that does not accept blood transfusions; artificial plasma expanders may be used.

Judaism

Religious practice that may include avoiding pork, rabbit, and shellfish and using separate dishes for meat and dairy.

Mormon/Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Religious practices include no caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol; cleanliness is important.

Roman Catholic

May include anointing of the sick and the use of religious objects.

Complementary therapy

A therapy used WITH conventional treatment.

Alternative therapy

A therapy used INSTEAD OF conventional treatment.

Holistic nursing

Treating the mind, body, and spirit.

CAM

Complementary and alternative medicine.

Herbal therapy

Therapy using herbs or natural plant products; some can be toxic if used incorrectly.

Chiropractic therapy

Therapy that manipulates the musculoskeletal system and may adjust joints.

Acupuncture

Therapy that uses needles to stimulate specific points on the body.

Acupressure

Therapy that uses pressure on specific points of the body.

Therapeutic massage

Manipulation of the body's soft tissues that can be relaxing or energizing.

Massage contraindications

Acute back pain, phlebitis, thrombosis, and infectious skin diseases.

Aromatherapy

Uses essential oils from plants through methods such as inhalation, topical application, bathing, or air dispersal.

Reflexology

Uses pressure on specific areas of the feet, hands, or ears that are believed to correspond to organs and body systems.

Magnetic therapy

Therapy used to treat pain using magnets.

Magnetic therapy contraindications

Pacemakers, defibrillators, cochlear implants, and insulin pumps.

Imagery

Using mental images to create physical or psychological responses.

Relaxation therapy

A therapy associated with decreased heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption.

Focusing in relaxation therapy

Keeping attention on something simple.

Passivity in relaxation therapy

Stopping unnecessary thinking or activity.

Receptivity in relaxation therapy

Accepting unfamiliar or uncertain experiences.

Animal-assisted therapy

Uses trained animals to improve physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Examples of animals used in animal-assisted therapy

Dogs, cats, and horses.

Yoga

Can help with muscle tone, flexibility, relaxation, and stress reduction.

T'ai Chi

Combines martial arts, Daoist concepts, traditional Chinese medicine, and qigong.

Benefits of T'ai Chi

Better balance, stronger legs, improved cardiorespiratory function, better range of motion, and benefits for arthritis.

Biofeedback

Noninvasive method of learning to control body functions.

Uses of biofeedback

Anxiety, stress, IBS, and asthma.

What can biofeedback monitor?

Vital signs and muscle tension.

Nurse's role with CAM

Assess CAM use, remain nonjudgmental, consider cultural and religious beliefs, know the nurse practice act, and stay within the legal scope of practice.