Communication Enhancers & Blockers

Study Notes

Silence: Allows active listening; nurses respond to both verbal and nonverbal cues.
Minimal Cues and Leads: Nonverbal gestures like smiling or body orientation, and verbal prompts such as "Can you tell me more?" encourage client elaboration.
Restatement: Paraphrases client’s statements to promote further conversation; for instance, summarizing feelings by repeating parts of the client’s narrative.
Clarification: Ensures understanding by asking for explanation or elaboration of vague statements.
Reflection: Mirrors the client's emotions by echoing feelings; differentiates from simple restatement through an emotional connection.
Summarization: Concisely reviews main points discussed, often at session's end, to consolidate understanding.
Focusing: Directs conversation towards key issues or themes to maintain clarity; effective in revisiting critical topics.
Interpretation: Offers new perspectives based on the nurse's understanding; should be used cautiously to avoid directing the client's thoughts.
Indirect Question: Encourages discussion without direct questioning, promoting a relaxed dialogue.
Direct Question: Clearly inquires about specifics; enhances information gathering through structured questioning.

Changing the Subject: Diverts attention, often resulting from the nurse's discomfort; may help in managing anxiety if used thoughtfully.
Social Conversation: Initiates dialogue and builds rapport but can be excessive and avoidance-centric regarding serious topics.
Using Cliches: Indicates discomfort with silence; lacks depth and may invalidate the client's feelings.
Reassuring: Offering false hope hinders authentic understanding; however, appropriate reassurance can be supportive.
Disapproving/Judging: Imposes moral judgments on client choices; detrimental to trust and therapeutic alliance.
Asking Why: Can prompt defensiveness and confusion; better to use open-ended queries to explore motivations.
Bombarding: Presents multiple questions in quick succession, overwhelming the client and stifling open conversation.
Defending: Protects a stance at the expense of recognizing the client's feelings; can invalidate their experiences.
Challenging: Confronts client statements in a dismissive manner; can escalate defensiveness rather than facilitate dialogue.
Moralizing: Goes beyond advising, labeling behaviors negatively; undermines the client’s dignity and autonomy.