Therapeutic Communication Techniques

Question 1

Using Silence

Answer 1

Gives the person time to Collect thoughts and go through a point

Question 2

Accepting

Answer 2

Indicates that what the person said has been understood, non judgemental

Question 3

Giving Recognition

Answer 3

Indicates awareness of change and personal efforts

Question 4

Offering Self

Answer 4

Offers presence, time and interest in the other person

Question 5

Offering General Leads

Answer 5

Allows other person to take direction in the discussion

Question 6

Giving Broad Openings

Answer 6

The lead is taken by the patient, but the nurse is there to keep it focused

Question 7

Placing the events in time and sequence

Answer 7

putting the whole situation into perspective, wanting to know what happened before and after the event

Question 8

Making Observations

Answer 8

Calls attention to the person’s behaviour (trembling, nail biting) encourages patient to notice the behaviour

Question 9

Encouraging description of perception

Answer 9

increases nurses understanding on the patient’s perceptions, talking about feelings and thoughts lessen the need to act them out inappropriately

Question 10

Encouraging Comparison

Answer 10

Brings out the recurring themes in experiences, helps person clarify similarities and differences

Question 11

Restating

Answer 11

Repeats the main idea expressed, gives the patient an idea of what was understood by the nurse, if misunderstood patient can clarify it

Question 12

Reflecting

Answer 12

Directs the questions, feelings back to the patient, encourages patient to think about what they would do and make decisions for themselves

Question 13

Focusing

Answer 13

Concentrates attention on a single point, useful when patient jumps from one topic to the other

Question 14

Exploring

Answer 14

looking at feelings, experiences more closely, delving deeper, wanting more details. If patient says no, the nurse does not pry

Question 15

Giving Information

Answer 15

Letting the patient know things ( what the medication is for) this helps them make decisions for themselves

Question 16

Seeking clarification

Answer 16

Helps patient clarify their own thoughts and maximize understanding between the patient and the nurse

Question 17

Presenting Reality

Answer 17

Indicates to the patient what is real. Useful in a patient that has hallucinations and illusions

Question 18

Voicing Doubt

Answer 18

Undermines the patients beliefs, not reinforcing the exaggerated or false perceptions

Question 19

Seeking Consensual Validation

Answer 19

both nurse and the patient understand each other and what the patient is trying to say, helps patient see more clearly what they are thinking

Question 20

Verbalizing the implied

Answer 20

Puts into concrete terms what the patient implies, making the patients communication more explicit

Question 21

Encouraging Evaluation

Answer 21

Aids patient in considering people and events from perspective of the patients own set of values

Question 22

Attempting to translate into feelings

Answer 22

responds to feelings expressed, decoding, trying to understand what they are trying to express

Question 23

Suggesting Collaboration

Answer 23

working with the patient, not for the patient, change is possible with collaboration

Question 24

Summarizing

Answer 24

bringing together the important parts of the discussion, opportunity to clarify some things so that patient and the nurse leaves interview with same ideas in mind

Question 25

Encouraging formulation of a plan of action

Answer 25

What might you do next time when a situation is presented to you, nurse asks to the patient.