Therapeutic Communication

Question 1

general leads

Answer 1

“Can you tell me how it is for you?”
“Perhaps you would like to talk about….”
“Would it help to discuss your feelings?”
“Where would you like to begin?”
“And then what?”

Question 2

Being specific and tentative

Answer 2

“Rate your pain on a scale of 0-10”. (specific statement
“Are you in pain?” (general statement)
“You seem unconcerned about your diabetes?” (tentative statement)
“You don’t care about your diabetes and you will never will” (absolute statement)

Question 3

open ended questions

Answer 3

“I’d like to hear more about that.”
“Tell me about….”
“How have you been feeling lately?”
“What brought you to the hospital?”
“What is you opinion?”
“You said you were frightened yesterday. How do you feel now?”

Question 4

Using touch

Answer 4

Putting an arm over the client’s shoulder. Placing your hand over the client’s hand.

Question 5

Restating or paraphrasing

Answer 5

Client: “I couldn’t manage to eat any dinner last night-not even the dessert.”
Nurse: “You had difficulty eating yesterday.”
Client: “Yes, I was very upset after my family left.”
Client: “I have trouble talking with the strangers.”
Nurse:”You find it difficult talking to people you do not know?”

Question 6

Seeking Clarification

Answer 6

“I’m puzzled.”
“I’m not sure I understand that”
“Would you please say that again?”
“Would you tell me more?”
“I meant this rather than that.”
“I’m sorry that wasn’t very clear.
Let me try o explain another way.”

Question 7

giving information

Answer 7

“Your surgery is schedule for 1 am tomorrow.”
“You will feel a puling sensation when the tube is removed from your abdomen.”
“I do not know the answer to that, but I will find out from Mrs. King, the nurse in charge.”

Question 8

acknowledging

Answer 8

“You trimmed your beard and mustache and washed your hair.”
“I noticed you keep squinting your eyes. Are you having difficulty seeing?”
“You walk twice as far today with your walker.”

Question 9

reflecting

Answer 9

Client: “What can I do?”
Nurse: “What do you think would be helpful?”
Client: “Do you think I should tell my husband?”
Nurse:”You seem unsure about telling your husband.”

Question 10

summarizing /planning

Answer 10

“During the past hour we have talked about…”
“Tomorrow afternoon we may explore this further.”
“In a few days I’ll review what you have learned about the actions and effects of your insulin.”
“Tomorrow, I will look at your feeling journal.”