Questions and Answers
What are the two types of communication discussed?
What does nonverbal communication often indicate?
It is often unconscious and more accurate.
Which component of the communication process includes sending and receiving messages?
The __________ communicates acceptance and respect during communication?
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What is one way to encourage a client to elaborate on their thoughts?
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Which communication technique involves stating what you observe in a client?
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Silence during a conversation can be a sign of disinterest.
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What does 'presenting reality' aim to do in therapeutic communication?
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Restating clients' words is a therapeutic communication technique.
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Which response by the nurse is therapeutic in response to a patient expressing anger about their family’s hope?
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Study Notes
Types of Communication
- Verbal Communication: Involves spoken or written words; understanding is crucial for effective interaction.
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Nonverbal Communication: Often subconscious and can convey true feelings more accurately.
- Vocal Cues (Paralanguage): Includes tone, volume, and speech rate.
- Body Movements: Encompasses posture, gestures, and facial expressions.
- Attire: Should reflect appropriateness for age/season and be clean or visible in state.
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Space: Distinct zones of interaction:
- Intimate (0-18 inches)
- Personal (18-40 inches)
- Social (4-12 feet)
- Public (≥12 feet)
- Touch: Requires careful interpretation as meanings can vary widely.
Communication Process
- Sender: Can be congruent or incongruent in messaging.
- Receiver: May miss cues, misperceive messages, or be distracted.
- Message: Must be conveyed clearly to avoid confusion.
- Feedback: Essential for validating understanding and correcting misunderstandings.
- Context: Contextual factors including physical setting, psychological state, and past experiences influence communication.
Communication Techniques: Listening & Broad Opening
- Listening: An active process that demonstrates acceptance and fosters solutions.
- Broad Opening: Encourages clients to expand on topics; uses prompts like "What would you like to discuss today?"
Communication Techniques: Offering General Leads
- Offering General Leads: Promotes continuation of thoughts; examples include prompts like "Go on" or "And then?"
- Placing Events in Time/Sequence: Helps establish context; asking "What happened before?" provides clarity.
- Making Observations: Directly noting observable behavior, e.g., "You seem worried," facilitates discussion.
Communication Techniques: Encouraging Description of Perceptions
- Encouraging Description: Invites clients to express their perceptions; asks open-ended questions like "What is happening now?"
- Encouraging Comparison: Assists clients in recognizing patterns or connections between experiences.
Communication Techniques: Accepting, Giving Recognition, Offering Self
- Accepting: Shows openness through nods or affirmations like "yes."
- Giving Recognition: Acknowledges behaviors or accomplishments without judgment.
- Offering Self: Demonstrates willingness to be present and understand, e.g., "I will stay here with you for a while."
Communication Techniques: Restating & Reflection
- Restating: Repeats the patient's main idea to demonstrate active listening.
- Reflection: Redirects feelings and ideas back to the client to clarify emotions or concerns.
Communication Techniques: Clarification & Focusing
- Clarification: Aims to clarify thoughts and link feelings to behaviors; asks for specific examples.
- Focusing: Concentrates on a specific point to prevent generalizations; asks targeted questions related to the issue.
Communication Techniques: Exploring & Silence
- Exploring: Invites deeper elaboration on a subject for better understanding.
- Silence: Facilitates thought organization and reflection, offering space for clients who may need time to process.
Communication Techniques: Presenting Reality & Summarizing
- Presenting Reality: Clarifies misconceptions about what is real, e.g., acknowledging actual events or surroundings.
- Summarizing: Reinforces understanding by condensing and clarifying the client’s message.
Therapeutic Response Example
- A patient with terminal cancer expresses anger towards their family’s hope for a cure.
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Therapeutic Response: "You're feeling angry that your family continues to hope for you to be cured?"
- This restating technique helps convey understanding and validates the patient's emotions.
- Options that divert focus from the primary issue (like assessing family discussions or premature conclusions about depression) are less effective.
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Description
Test your knowledge of therapeutic communication skills with these flashcards. Each card covers important concepts, definitions, and types of communication, both verbal and nonverbal. Perfect for anyone looking to improve their communication techniques in therapeutic settings.
