Nursing Assessment, Communication, and Therapeutic Relationships

Vocabulary flashcards covering vital signs assessment, types of relationships, therapeutic communication, phases of the nurse-client relationship, and proxemics based on lecture notes.

Auscultation

The act of listening to sounds within the body, typically using a stethoscope.

Diaphragm

The component of a stethoscope used to listen to high-pitched sounds by holding it firmly against the body.

Bell

The component of a stethoscope used to listen to low sounds.

Apical Pulse

A pulse measured over the apex of the heart using a stethoscope for $1\,\text{min}$.

Peripheral Pulse

A pulse located over arteries positioned away from the heart.

Orthostatic Hypotension

A drop in blood pressure that occurs when a patient's BP is checked sequentially in a supine (lying) position, a sitting position, and a standing position.

Oxygen Saturation

A vital sign parameter where a level of $\ge 95\%$ is normal for adults.

FLACC Scale

An objective pain assessment tool used only when necessary.

Social Relationship

A relationship built for friendship, companionship, or completing a shared task.

Intimate Relationship

A relationship involving deep emotional commitment and mutual affection.

Therapeutic Relationship

A relationship focused on the patient's growth, health, and well-being.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another ("feeling with" the patient), which is essential for providing high-quality, compassionate care.

Sympathy

The ability to feel concern for another ("feeling for" the patient).

Positive Regard

An attitude of respect where the nurse appreciates the patient as a unique, worthy individual regardless of background or lifestyle.

Self-Awareness

The process where a nurse understands personal experiences and values to facilitate the therapeutic use of self when caring for others.

Orientation Phase

The phase of the nurse-client relationship that begins when the nurse and patient meet and ends when the patient begins to identify problems to examine.

Termination Phase

The phase of the nurse-client relationship that begins when the patient's problems are resolved and ends when the relationship has ended.

Berlo's Model of Communication

A communication model structured around a stimulus, sender, message, receiver, and feedback.

Therapeutic Communication

Interpersonal interaction between nurse and patient focused on the patient's specific needs to promote effective exchange of required care information.

Concrete Message

A clear, direct, and easy-to-understand message that uses simple and specific words.

Abstract Message

A message using unclear words and figures of speech that can lead to various interpretations, cultural misunderstanding, and anxiety.

Congruent Message

A communication state where verbal and nonverbal messages match, causing speech and actions to agree.

Proxemics

The study of distance zones between people during communication.

Intimate Zone

A proxemic distance zone of $0-28\,\text{inches}$ between individuals.

Personal Zone

A proxemic distance zone of $28-36\,\text{inches}$ between individuals.

Social Zone

A proxemic distance zone of $4-12\,\text{feet}$ between individuals.

Public Zone

A proxemic distance zone of $12-25\,\text{feet}$ between individuals.

Therapeutic Zone

A proxemic distance zone of $3-6\,\text{feet}$ utilized during therapeutic communication.

Clarifying Techniques

Communication methods used to explore options and share observations, including projective questions ("What if…"), presuppositions/miracle questions, paraphrasing, restating, and reflecting of feelings.