Communication and Caring

• Communication is any means of exchanging information or feelings between two or more people, with two main purposes: to influence others and to gain information
• The 4 elements of the communication process are Message, Feedback, Sender, and Receiver
• Verbal communication involves the use of spoken or written words, while nonverbal communication includes gestures, facial expressions, and touch
• Therapeutic communication promotes understanding and helps establish a constructive relationship between the nurse and the client
• Non-therapeutic communication techniques include stereotyping, agreeing and disagreeing, being defensive, belittling feelings expressed, disapproving, giving approval, challenging, giving literal responses, indicating the existence of an external source, probing, testing rejecting, making stereotyped comments, interpreting, changing topics and subjects, unwarranted reassurance, passing judgment, requesting an explanation, using denial, giving common advice
• Attentive listening involves actively using all the senses, while physical attending includes the posture of involvement with actions of physical attending (SOLER)
• The nurse-client relationship is based on mutual trust, respect, and acceptance, with goals to help clients manage their problems effectively and develop unused opportunities more fully
• Phases of the nurse-client relationship include Preinteraction Phase, Introductory Phase, Working Phase, and Termination Phase
• Caring encounters in nursing involve knowing the client, nursing presence, empowering the client, compassion, and competence
• Points to reflect on the Seven C's of Communication: Clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, courteous
• Seven ways to communicate with clients: assess body language, make interactions easier, show respect, have patience, monitor mechanics, provide simple written instructions, give the client ample time to respond