KEY POINTS
• Communication is a powerful therapeutic tool and an • Ineffective communication techniques inhibit or block the
essential nursing skill used to influence others and achieve other person’s willingness to openly express ideas, feelings,
positive health outcomes. or concerns.
• Nurses consider many contexts and factors influencing• Nurses who are experiencing compassion fatigue often
communication when making decisions about what, have difficulty relating with patients and co-workers.
when, where, how, why, and with whom to communicate. • A nurse blends social and informational interactions with
• Communication is most effective when the receiver and therapeutic communication techniques so that others
sender accurately perceive the meaning of one another’s explore feelings and manage health issues.
messages. • The language that health care providers choose to use when
• Effective verbal communication requires appropriate into- communicating with patients can significantly impact
nation, clear and concise phrasing, proper pacing of state- whether patients understand basic health information.
ments, and proper timing and relevance of a message. • When using therapeutic humor, consider timing, receptiv-
• Effective nonverbal communication complements ity, and content of the humorous intervention.
and strengthens the message conveyed by verbal• When responding to an angry or aggressive patient, remain
communication. calm and unhurried, approach the patient slowly and in
• Strengthen helping relationships by establishing trust, view, and seek the patient’s approval before coming close.
empathy, autonomy, confidentiality, and professional • Older adults with sensory, motor, or cognitive impair-
competence. ments require adaptation of communication techniques to
• Effective communication techniques are facilitative and make up for their loss of function and special needs.
tend to encourage the other person to openly express
ideas, feelings, or concerns.
Copyright 2019 © by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
• Communication is a powerful therapeutic tool and an • Ineffective communication techniques inhibit or block the
essential nursing skill used to influence others and achieve other person’s willingness to openly express ideas, feelings,
positive health outcomes. or concerns.
• Nurses consider many contexts and factors influencing• Nurses who are experiencing compassion fatigue often
communication when making decisions about what, have difficulty relating with patients and co-workers.
when, where, how, why, and with whom to communicate. • A nurse blends social and informational interactions with
• Communication is most effective when the receiver and therapeutic communication techniques so that others
sender accurately perceive the meaning of one another’s explore feelings and manage health issues.
messages. • The language that health care providers choose to use when
• Effective verbal communication requires appropriate into- communicating with patients can significantly impact
nation, clear and concise phrasing, proper pacing of state- whether patients understand basic health information.
ments, and proper timing and relevance of a message. • When using therapeutic humor, consider timing, receptiv-
• Effective nonverbal communication complements ity, and content of the humorous intervention.
and strengthens the message conveyed by verbal• When responding to an angry or aggressive patient, remain
communication. calm and unhurried, approach the patient slowly and in
• Strengthen helping relationships by establishing trust, view, and seek the patient’s approval before coming close.
empathy, autonomy, confidentiality, and professional • Older adults with sensory, motor, or cognitive impair-
competence. ments require adaptation of communication techniques to
• Effective communication techniques are facilitative and make up for their loss of function and special needs.
tend to encourage the other person to openly express
ideas, feelings, or concerns.
Copyright 2019 © by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
