BN Ch.44 Therapeutic Communication Skills

Question 1

_________ space is an area around an individual reserved for only close friends or intimates.

Answer 1

Personal

Question 2

__________ communication is that which stops the communication process or threatens the client.

Answer 2

Nontherapeutic

Question 3

Aphasia often results from a __________ disorder or brain injury or a psychiatric disorder.

Answer 3

neurologic

Question 4

Successful therapeutic communication encourages increased client coping skills and __________ toward self-care.

Answer 4

motivation

Question 5

A/An __________ is a goal-directed conversation in which one person seeks information from the other.

Answer 5

interview

Question 6

What effective communication skills should the nurse use when caring for a child?

Answer 6

• When working with small children, the nurse should keep in mind the normal developmental stages of children and communicate at an appropriate level for the child’s age.
• The nurse should remember that children often revert to an earlier stage of development when ill.
• Play is often the most effective means of communicating with a child.
• The nurse should allow the child’s caregiver to hold the child as much as possible

Question 7

An originator or source of the idea

Answer 7

Sender

Question 8

What means “The idea”?

Answer 8

Message

Question 9

A means of transmitting the idea

Answer 9

Medium

Question 10

A person who interprets the message

Answer 10

Receiver

Question 11

Response to the message through feedback

Answer 11

Interaction

Question 12

What are the verbal barriers to communication?

Answer 12

• Certain responses to a given situation can block communication with the client; these blocks are called verbal barriers. Some of the verbal barriers are:
  
  • Offering empty reassurances.
  • Changing the subject.
  • Using trite clichés such as “the doctor knows best”. •
  • Imposing your ideas or values on clients and giving advice according to your values. •
  • Disapproving of or judging the client.
  • Voicing personal experiences, especially those that are health-related.

Question 13

What are the nonverbal forms of communication?

Answer 13

• Touch
• Eye contact
• Facial expressions
• Body movement and posture
• Personal appearance
• Grooming

Question 14

How does a firm touch differ from a light touch?

Answer 14

• A firm touch could discourage a child from doing something dangerous, whereas a light touch can encourage a person to walk down the hall.
• Touch is the most potent nonverbal form of communication;
  
  • however, not all cultures appreciate the use of touch as a nonverbal form of communication.
• In some cases, touch makes people anxious.
• Some clients may feel that touch invades their personal space.
• The nurse must be sensitive to the feelings of all clients and use touch in this manner only if it is nonthreatening to the client.

Question 15

What are the different forms of verbal communication by the nurse?

Answer 15

• Verbal communication by the nurse includes the following:
• Talking with the client and client’s family.
• Writing care plans.
• Documenting information and assessments.
• Giving oral or written change-of-shift reports.

Question 16

What is proxemics?

Answer 16

• Proxemics is the use of space in relationship to communication.
• The concept of proxemics is closely related to the concept of personal space.
• Each person has an area around him or her called personal space;
  
  • this area is reserved for only very close friends or intimates.
• Personal space, a culturally learned behavior, varies greatly across cultures.
  
  • For example, in traditional Western society, personal space extends outward from the body for 18 and 24 inches, although it may vary slightly from person to person.
• However, in the Middle East and Far East, the area of personal space is smaller.

Question 17

List the factors that affect communication.

Answer 17

• The effectiveness of communication is influenced by many factors, including:
  
  • Attention,
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Culture
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Social factors
  • Religion
  • History of illness
  • Body image
  • Physical disabilities of the client.
• The attitude of the healthcare team also affects the client’s communication and attitude toward illness

Question 18

The foundation of relationships is effective communication. The art of therapeutic communication does not come naturally; it must be learned and practiced. The nurse must be able to develop a rapport with the client and communicate genuineness and empathy, even when fears or concerns cannot be fully expressed verbally.

1. A nurse is caring for a client who has aphasia due to a stroke. How can the nurse communicate with this client?

Answer 18

• Aphasia is the inability to communicate verbally;
  
  • it usually results from a neurologic disorder, an injury, or a psychiatric disorder.
• Sometimes, the client cannot write or sign as well, and cannot understand what is said.
• In such cases, the nurse should use nonverbal forms of communication, such as:
  
  • Touch
  • Eye contact
  • Facial expressions
  • Gestures,
• If the client is able to write, then the client could communicate by writing

Question 19

A nurse is caring for an elderly client. The client seems to be very reserved and disinterested in communicating with the nurse.

How can the nurse obtain necessary information from the client that will be helpful in the treatment?

Answer 19

• The nurse should ask the client open-ended questions that encourage the client to provide longer and more thorough answers.
• The effectiveness of the communication depends on the ability of the nurse to gain the confidence of the client.
• The nurse could also use reflection and reminiscing with the elderly client.
• It is important to respect the older adult and to be considerate of personal dignity when communicating with the elderly.