Unit 2A: The Patient Interview

Question 1

Nursing Inerview

Answer 1

• a purposeful, time-limited verbal interaction between the nurse and the patient or his/her
  significant other
• done to collective subjective data about the patient

Question 2

Factors influencing the nursing interview

Answer 2

1. Approach
2. Environment
3. Confidentiality
4. Note taking
5. Time, Length, and Duration
6. Biases and Perceptions

describe each

Question 3

Stages of the Interview process

Answer 3

Stage I: Introductory stage
Stage II: Working stage
Stage III: Termination stage

Question 4

Stage I Introductory Stage

Answer 4

• the nurse & patient establish trust & get to know each other; rapport

Question 5

Stage II: Working stage

Answer 5

bulk of patient data is collected

Question 6

Stage III: Termination stage

Answer 6

information is summarized & validated
* during this stage, give the pt an indication of the amt of time left in the interview, &
allow pt opportunity to give addt’l info & make comments/statements (e.g. “We have about 5 minutes more, Mr. Cruz, is there anything else you would like to add or
mention?”)

Question 7

Factors affecting communication

Answer 7

1. active listening
2. nonverbal cues
3. distance or proxemics
4. personal space

Question 8

Active listening

Answer 8

primary goal: to decode patient messages in order to understand the situation or
problem as the other person sees it
* always pay particular attention & formulate an appropriate response

Question 9

Nonverbal Cues

Answer 9

communicating a message without words
* may include: body position, nervous repetitive movements of the hands or legs, rapid
blinking, lack of eye contact, yawning, fidgeting, excessive smiling or frowning,
repetitive clearing of the throat, etc

Question 10

Distance or proxemics

Answer 10

the amount of space a person considers appropriate for interaction is a significant factor
in the interview process and is determined in part by cultural influences.

Question 11

proxemics; intimate zone

Answer 11

< 18 in from pt

Question 12

proxemics; personal distance

Answer 12

18 in to 4 ft.

Question 13

proxemics; social distance

Answer 13

4 to 12 ft

Question 14

proxemics; public distance

Answer 14

> 12 feet

Question 15

Personal space

Answer 15

the space over which the person claims ownership (e.g. pt’s hospital room & bathroom)

• pt. may be protective over this space & consider unauthorized use of it as an invasion
  of privacy