Chapter 6 Therapeutic Communication
Communication
- Exchange of information
- Verbal
• Content: literal words spoken
• Context: environment, circumstances, situation in which communication occurs
- Nonverbal
• Body language, eye contact, facial expression, tone of voice, etc.
• Process: all messages used to give meaning, context to message
• Congruent message: conveyed when content and process agree
• Incongruent message: when the speaker says and what he or she does do not
agree
What is Therapeutic Communication?
Therapeutic Communication
- An interpersonal interaction between the nurse and the patient during which the nurse
focuses on the patient’s specific needs to promote an effective exchange of information
- Interpersonal interactions; focus on patient’s needs
- Need for privacy
- Encompasses goals that facilitate the nursing process
- Needed to effectively meet the standards of client care
- Goals of therapeutic communication
• Establish therapeutic relationship
• Identify patient’s most important concerns; assess patient’s perceptions
• Facilitate patient’s expression of emotions
• Teach patient, family necessary self-care skills
• Recognize patient’s needs; implement interventions to address patient’s needs
• Guide patient toward acceptable solutions
- Respect for boundaries
• Distance zones
o Intimate (0 to 18 inches)
o Personal (18 to 36 inches)
o Social (4 to 12 feet)
o Public (12 to 25 feet)
• ***Therapeutic communication: most comfortable when nurse and patient are 3
to 6 feet apart
- Touch
• Five types:
1. functional/professional – nurse touches pt. to assess skin turgor
2. social–polite – hand shake or “air kisses”
3. friendship–warmth – hug or arm around the shoulder
4. love–intimacy – tight hugs and kisses; lovers or close relatives
5. sexual–arousal – touch is used by lovers
Communication
- Exchange of information
- Verbal
• Content: literal words spoken
• Context: environment, circumstances, situation in which communication occurs
- Nonverbal
• Body language, eye contact, facial expression, tone of voice, etc.
• Process: all messages used to give meaning, context to message
• Congruent message: conveyed when content and process agree
• Incongruent message: when the speaker says and what he or she does do not
agree
What is Therapeutic Communication?
Therapeutic Communication
- An interpersonal interaction between the nurse and the patient during which the nurse
focuses on the patient’s specific needs to promote an effective exchange of information
- Interpersonal interactions; focus on patient’s needs
- Need for privacy
- Encompasses goals that facilitate the nursing process
- Needed to effectively meet the standards of client care
- Goals of therapeutic communication
• Establish therapeutic relationship
• Identify patient’s most important concerns; assess patient’s perceptions
• Facilitate patient’s expression of emotions
• Teach patient, family necessary self-care skills
• Recognize patient’s needs; implement interventions to address patient’s needs
• Guide patient toward acceptable solutions
- Respect for boundaries
• Distance zones
o Intimate (0 to 18 inches)
o Personal (18 to 36 inches)
o Social (4 to 12 feet)
o Public (12 to 25 feet)
• ***Therapeutic communication: most comfortable when nurse and patient are 3
to 6 feet apart
- Touch
• Five types:
1. functional/professional – nurse touches pt. to assess skin turgor
2. social–polite – hand shake or “air kisses”
3. friendship–warmth – hug or arm around the shoulder
4. love–intimacy – tight hugs and kisses; lovers or close relatives
5. sexual–arousal – touch is used by lovers
