Nontherapeutic Communication Table 9.3 Flashcards

1
Q

Giving premature advice

A

Assumes the nurse knows best and the patient can’t think for oneself. Inhibits problem solving and fosters dependency.

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2
Q

Example of Giving Premature Advice

A

“Get out of this situation immediately.”

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3
Q

More helpful Response for Giving Premature Advice

A

Encouraging problem-solving:

“What are the pros and cons of your situation?”
“What were some of the actions you thought you
might take?”
“What are some of the ways you have thought of to
meet your goals?”

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4
Q

Minimizing feelings

A

Indicates that the nurse is unable to understand or empathize with the patient. Here the patient’s feelings or experiences are being belittled, which can cause the patient to feel small or insignificant.

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5
Q

Examples of Minimizing feelings

A

Patient: “I wish I were dead.”
Nurse: “Everyone gets down in the
dumps.”

“I know what you mean.”
“You should feel happy you’re getting better.”
“Things get worse before they get
better.”

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6
Q

More helpful Response for Minimizing feelings

A

Empathizing and exploring:
“You must be feeling very upset. Are you thinking of hurting yourself?”

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7
Q

Falsely reassuring

A

Underrates a person’s feelings and belittles a person’s concerns.

May cause the patient to stop sharing feelings if not taken seriously.

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8
Q

Examples of Falsely reassuring

A

“I wouldn’t worry about that.” “Everything will be all right.”
“You will do just fine, you’ll see.”

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9
Q

More helpful response to False reassuring

A

Clarifying the patient’s message:

“What specifically are you worried about?”
“What do you think could go wrong?” “What are you concerned might happen?”

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10
Q

Making value judgments

A

Prevents problem-solving. Can make the patient feel guilty, angry, misunderstood, not supported, or anxious to leave.

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11
Q

Examples of Making value judgments

A

“How come you still smoke when your wife has lung cancer?”

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12
Q

More helpful response for Making value judgments

A

Making observations:

“I notice you are still smoking even though your wife has lung cancer. Is this a problem?”

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13
Q

Asking “why” questions

A

Implies criticism; often has the effect of making the patient feel defensive.

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14
Q

Examples of Asking “why” questions

A

“Why did you stop taking your medication?”

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15
Q

More helpful response for Asking “why” questions

A

Asking open-ended questions; giving a broad opening:

“Tell me some of the reasons that led up to your not taking your medications.”

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16
Q

Asking excessive questions

A

Results in the patient not knowing which question to answer and possibly being confused about what is being asked.

17
Q

Examples of Asking excessive questions

A

Nurse: “How’s your appetite? Are you losing weight? Are you eating enough?”

Patient: “No.”

18
Q

More helpful response for Asking excessive questions

A

Clarifying:
“Tell me about your eating habits since you’ve been depressed.”

19
Q

Giving approval, agreeing

A

Implies the patient is doing the right thing—and that not doing it is wrong.

May lead the patient to focus on pleasing the nurse or clinician; denies the patient the opportunity to change her mind.

20
Q

Examples of Giving approval, agreeing

A

“I’m proud of you for applying for that job.”
“I agree with your decision.”

21
Q

More helpful response for Giving approval, agreeing

A

Making observations:
“I noticed that you applied for that job.”
“What factors will lead up to your changing your mind?”

Asking open-ended questions; giving a broad opening:
“What led to that decision?”

22
Q

Disapproving, disagreeing

A

Can make a person defensive.

23
Q

Examples of Disapproving, disagreeing

A

“You really should have shown up for the medication group.”
“I disagree with that.”

24
Q

More helpful response for Disapproving, disagreeing

A

Exploring:
“What was going through your mind when you decided not to come to your medication group?”

“That’s one point of view. How did you arrive at that
conclusion?”

25
Q

Changing the subject

A

May invalidate the patient’s feelings and needs.
Can leave the patient feeling alienated and isolated and increase feelings of hopelessness.

26
Q

Examples of Changing the subject

A

Patient: “I’d like to die.”
Nurse: “Did you go to Alcoholics Anonymous like we discussed?”

27
Q

More helpful response for Changing the subject

A

Validating and exploring:
Patient: “I’d like to die.”
Nurse: “This sounds serious. Have you thought of harming yourself?”