Interview Techniques/Health History Flashcards
Define Subjective Data.
What the person says about himself/herself. This is the first indication of perceived health.
The nurse controls the external environment before a patient interview by…
Providing privacy
Refusing interruptions
Controlling the physical environment
The nurse will control the physical environment by…
Providing comfortable room temperature
Providing adequate lighting
Limiting noise/distractions such as TV, cell phones
Providing eye level seating with no barriers
Define open-ended questions. Provide an example.
Open-ended questions requires a narrative.
A broad topic statement.
An example would be…“Tell me more about that” or “What brings you to the clinic today?”
Define closed-ended questions. Provide an example.
Closed-ended questions ask for very specific information.
Usually a “yes” “no” or two-word answer.
Used to fill in details or when collecting specific facts.
An example would be…“Do you have a history of heart disease?” or “What type of diabetes do you have?”
This communication technique allows patients time to think and organize thoughts without interruption from the nurse.
Silence
This communication technique focuses attention on phrases by repeating the patients words.
Reflection
Name the therapeutic communication demonstrated below.
Empathy
Recognizes a feeling and puts it into words.
“This is hard for you” is an empathetic response
Name the therapeutic communication demonstrated below.
Facilitation
Phrases such as “go on” and “ummmmm” encourage patients to continue
This communication technique helps clear up confusing phrases by the patient during the interview process.
Clarification
This therapeutic technique is used when actions, feelings, or statements need to be focused on.
Confrontation
Can point out a discrepency or a patient’s affect
Might be uncomfortable for the nurse and patient
Define interpretation.
Not a direct observation but rather a conclusion made by the nurses.
Define explanation
A therapeutic communication technique that shares facts/objective information with your patient.
Define summary
A therapeutic communication technique summarizing what the patient has told the nurse during the interview process.
It allows the patient to correct any misinformation the nurse has collected
Provide an example of nontherapeutic communication for false reassurance
Example: “Don’t worry…I am sure that lump in your breast is not cancer.”
Breaks down communication by trivializing feelings.
Denies any further discussion on the subject
Provide an example of nontherapeutic communication for giving unwanted advice.
Example: “If I were you, I would not do chemotherapy.”
Shifts the decision making process from the patient to the nurse.
Provide an example of nontherapeutic communication for using authority.
Example: “The ocologist knows best.”
Promotes dependency on the health care provider and encourages the feelings of inferiority.
Provide an example of nontherapeutic communication for using avoidance language.
Example: “I am sorry, but your sister has passed.”
Avoids reality
Better to use the words, in this case, “I am sorry, but your sister has died.”
Provide an example of nontherapeutic communication for engaging distancing.
Example: “There is a spot on the left lung.”
Uses impersonal speech between a perceived threat and the patient
Better to say: “There is a spot on your left lung.”
Provide an example of nontherapeutic communication for using professional jargon.
Example: “Your paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is atypical.”
Adjust your vocabulary to the patient to avoid condescension.
Provide an example of nontherapeutic communication for biased questioning.
Example: “You don’t take drugs, do you?”
The implication is that one answer is better than another.
True/False: Talking to much is helpful during the interview process. Explain your answer.
False: This gives the interviewer a false sense of helpfulness.
Talking too much does not meet the patient’s needs.
True/False: Asking a patient “Why?” is an appropriate therapeutic technique. Explain your answer.
False
Implies blame and will put your patient on the defensive, impeding communication
Define positive nonverbal messaging. Provide examples.
These are nonverbal messages that show attentiveness, acceptance, and is productive at moving the relationship forward.
Examples:
Relaxed open posture
Leaning slightly toward person
Appropriate eye contact, smiling, touch
Define negative nonverbal messaging. Provide examples.
These are nonverbal messages that inattentive, nonproductive, and defeating to the relationship.
Examples:
Tense posture/standing during interview
Avoiding eye contact
Distracting gestures: finger pointing, looking at watch
Inappropriate touch
Define objective data.
What the nurse notices or information collected.
Example: Vital signs, general survey, height
Define the components of “symptom summary” using the PQRSTU mneumonic.
P: provocative or palliative…“What causes this sympton?” “What makes it worse/better?”
Q: quality or quantity…“What does the symptom look like, feel like, sound like?”
R: Region or radiation…“Where is this symptom?” “Does this symptom spread anywhere?”
S: Severity…“Rate on a scale of 1-10 of symptom intensity.”
T: Timing…Ask about onset/duration/frequency
U: Understanding…“What do you think this symptom means?”
