Therapeutic Communication techniques

Question 1

Using silence

Answer 1

Give the pt the chance to collect and organize thoughts, to think through a point, or to consider to introducing a new topic of greater concern.

Question 2

Accepting

Answer 2

Conveys an attitude of reception and regard

-“yes I understand what you said”

Question 3

Giving recognition

Answer 3

Acknowledging and indicating awareness; better than complimenting which reflects nurses judgement.
-“hello mr J I see you made your bed”

Question 4

Offering self

Answer 4

Making self available on an unconditional basis, increasing clients feeling of self worth
-“I’ll stay with you a while, we can eat lunch together”

Question 5

Giving broad openings

Answer 5

Allows the client to take initiative in introducing the topic, emphasizes the clients role in the interaction
-“what would you like to talk about today?”

Question 6

Offering general leads

Answer 6

Offers the client encouragement to continue

-“yes I see, go on” and after that?

Question 7

Placing event in time or sequence

Answer 7

Clarified the relationship of events in time so the nurse and patient can view them in perspective
-“what seemed to lead up to..?
“was this before or after ?”
“When did this happen?”

Question 8

Making observations

Answer 8

Verbalized what is observed or perceived, encourages the patient to recognize specific behaviors and compare perceptions with the nurse.
-“you seem tense”
“I notice you are pacing a lot”
“You seem uncomfortable when…”

Question 9

Encouraging descriptions of perceptions

Answer 9

Asking the client to verbalized what or being perceived- often used when experiencing hallucinations
“Tell me what is happening now”
“Are you hearing voices again?”

Question 10

Encouraging comparison

Answer 10

Ask the patient to compare similarities and differences in ideas. Helps the client recognize life experiences.
“Was this something like?”
“What happened last time this happened?”

Question 11

Restating

Answer 11

Repeating the main idea of what the patient has said. This lets the client know whether or not an expressed statement has been understood and gives him/her the chance to continue.

Question 12

Reflecting

Answer 12

Questions and feelings are referee back to the patient so they may be recognized and accepted.
“What do you think you should do?”

Question 13

Focusing

Answer 13

Taking notice of a single idea or even a single word, works especially well with a patent who is moving rapidly from one thought to another.
Focusing should not be done until anxiety has been subsided
“This point seems worth looking at mlre closely, let’s discuss it together”

Question 14

Exploring

Answer 14

Delving further into a subject, idea, experience or relationship
“Please explain that situation in more detail”

Question 15

Seeking clarification and validation.

Answer 15

Striving to explain that which is vague or incomprehensible and searching for mitral understanding. Clarifying the meaning of what is said.
“I’m not sure I understand can you please explain?”

Question 16

Presenting reality

Answer 16

When the client has a misperception of the environment, the nurse defines reality or indicated his or her perception of the situation for the patient.
“I understand that the voices seem real to you, but I do not hear any voices”

Question 17

Voicing doubt

Answer 17

Expresses uncertainty as to the reality of the clients perceptions-used with patients with delusional thinking
“I understand that you believe that to be true but I see the situation differently”

Question 18

Verbalizing the implied

Answer 18

Putting into words what the client has only implied or said indirectly
“Are you feeling like no one here understands?”

Question 19

Attempting to translate words into feelings

Answer 19

When feelings are expressed indirectly the nurse tries to de-symbolize them

Question 20

Formulating a plan of action

Answer 20

When a client has a plan in mind for dealing with what is considered to be stressful
“What could you do to let your angry out harmlessly?”