Nontherapeutic Communication Table 9.3 Flashcards
Giving premature advice
Assumes the nurse knows best and the patient can’t think for oneself. Inhibits problem solving and fosters dependency.
Example of Giving Premature Advice
“Get out of this situation immediately.”
More helpful Response for Giving Premature Advice
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?”
Minimizing feelings
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.
Examples of Minimizing feelings
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.”
More helpful Response for Minimizing feelings
Empathizing and exploring:
“You must be feeling very upset. Are you thinking of hurting yourself?”
Falsely reassuring
Underrates a person’s feelings and belittles a person’s concerns.
May cause the patient to stop sharing feelings if not taken seriously.
Examples of Falsely reassuring
“I wouldn’t worry about that.” “Everything will be all right.”
“You will do just fine, you’ll see.”
More helpful response to False reassuring
Clarifying the patient’s message:
“What specifically are you worried about?”
“What do you think could go wrong?” “What are you concerned might happen?”
Making value judgments
Prevents problem-solving. Can make the patient feel guilty, angry, misunderstood, not supported, or anxious to leave.
Examples of Making value judgments
“How come you still smoke when your wife has lung cancer?”
More helpful response for Making value judgments
Making observations:
“I notice you are still smoking even though your wife has lung cancer. Is this a problem?”
Asking “why” questions
Implies criticism; often has the effect of making the patient feel defensive.
Examples of Asking “why” questions
“Why did you stop taking your medication?”
More helpful response for Asking “why” questions
Asking open-ended questions; giving a broad opening:
“Tell me some of the reasons that led up to your not taking your medications.”