Non-therapeutic Communication Flashcards
Non-therapeutic Communication:
Telling the client what to do.
Example:
“I think you should.” ; ‘Why don’t you?”
Advising
Rationale: This implies that client what to do only the nurse knows what is best for the client.
Non-therapeutic Communication:
Indicates accord with the client.
Example:
“That is right.” “I agree.”
Agreeing
Rationale: This indicates the agreeing
Non-therapeutic Communication:
Misjudging the degree of the client’s discomfort
Example:
Client: “I have to live for…I wish I was dead”
Nurse: “Everybody gets down in the dumps” or “I have felt the way myself.”
Belittling Feelings Expressed
Rationale: When the nurse tries to equate in the intense and overwhelming
feelings the client has expressed to “everybody” or to the nurse’s own
feelings, the nurse implies that the discomfort is temporary, mild self-limiting,
or not very important
Non-therapeutic Communication:
Demanding proof from the client.
Example:
”But how can you be the president of the United State?” ; “If you are dead, why is your heart beating”.
Challenging
Rationale: Often the nurse believe that if he or she can challenge the client
to prove unrealistic idea, the client will realize there is no “proof” and then
will recognize reality. Actually challenging causes the client to defend the delusions or misconception.
Non-therapeutic Communication
Attempting to protect someone or something from the verbal attack.
Example:
“The hospital has a fine reputation”; “ I am sure your doctors has your best interest in mind.”
Defending
Rationale: This implies that he or she no right to express impression,
opinion or feeling.
Non-therapeutic Communication:
Opposing the client’s idea.
Example:
”That is wrong” ; ”I definitely disagree with…” ; ”Do not believe on
that…”
Disagreeing
Rationale: This implies the client is “ wrong” ; consequently the client feels
defensive about his or her point of view or ideas.
Non-therapeutic Communication:
Sanctioning the client’s behavior or ideas.
Example:
“That is good.”; “I am glad that.
Giving approval / Agreeing
Rationale: Saying what the client thinks or feels if “good” implies that the
opposite is “bad”; tends to limit the client’s freedom to think, speak, or act
in a certain way; can lead to the client’s acting in a particular way just to
please the nurse.
Non-therapeutic Communication:
Responding to a figurative comment as though it were statement of fact.
Example:
Client: “They are looking in my head with a television camera.”
Nurse: “Try
not to watch television.” or ‘What channel?”
Giving Literal Responses
Rationale: Often the client is at a loss to describe his or her feelings, so such comments are the best he or she can do; usually it is helpful for the nurse to focus on the client’s feelings in response to such statements
Non-therapeutic Communication:
Attributing the source of thoughts, feelings, and behavior to others or to outside influences.
Example:
“What makes you say that?” ; “What made you do that?” ;
“Who told you that you were a prophet?”
Indicating the Existence of an External Source
Rationale: The nurse can ask, “What happened?” Or “What events led you
to draw such a conclusion?”;But to question “What made you think that?”
implies that the client was made or compelled to think in a certain way.
Non-therapeutic Communication:
Asking to make conscious that which is unconscious.
Example:
“What you really mean is…” ; “Unconsciously you are saying …”
Interpreting
Rationale: Client’s thoughts and feelings are his or her own,
not to be interpreted by the nurse or for hidden meaning.
Non-therapeutic Communication:
Changing the subject
Example:
Client: “I would like to die”
Nurse: “ did you have visitors last night?”
Introducing an Unrelated Topic
Rationale: The nurse takes the initiative for the interaction away from the
client
Non-therapeutic Communication:
Offering meaningless cliches or trip comments
Example:
“Now tell me about this problem. You know I have to find out”;”
tell your psychiatric history”.
Making Stereotype Comments
Rationale: Tend to make the client feel used or invaded; clients have the
right not to talk about issues or concerns if they choose.
Non-therapeutic Communication:
Indicates that there is no reason for anxiety or other feelings of discomfort.
Example:
“I would not worry about that”;” everything would be alright”;
you are coming along just fine.”
Reassuring
Rationale: This is completely devalues the client’s feelings.
Non-therapeutic Communication:
Refusing to consider or showing contempt for the client’s idea or behavior.
Example:
“ Let us not discuss…:”;”I do not want to hear about…”
Rejecting
Rationale: Nurse closes it off exploring; in turn, the client will feel personally rejected along with his or her ideas
Non-therapeutic Communication:
Asking the client to provide reasons for thoughts, feelings, behaviors, events
Example:
“Why do you think that?” ; “ why do you feel that way?’’
Requesting Explanation
Rationale: Using “ why” question is intimidating
