A.

Therapeutic Communication DIFINITION EXAMPLE

Technique.

1. Using Silence. Absence of verbal communication, Encouraging the person to talk by

which provides time for the client waiting for the answers.
to put thoughts or feelings into
words, to regain composure, or to
continue talking.
2. Providing general leads Allow the other person to take "And then?"
direction in the discussion.
Indicates that the nurse is interested
in what comes next.
3. Being specific & tentative. Making statements that are specific “Rate your pain on a scale of 0-10”.
rather than general, and tentative
rather than absolute.
4. Using open-ended Unfinished sentences that prompt "Tell me more about your pain."
questions. the client to continue. Questions
that cannot be answered with a one-
word answer.
5. Using touch. Most potent form of For example holding a dying
communication. Comfort touch patients hand or placing a
such as holding a hand, is reassuring hand on someone’s
especially important for vulnerable shoulder.
clients who are experiencing severe
illness.
6. Restating/Paraphrasing. Repeating the main idea expressed. Client: "I can’t focus. My mind
keeps wandering."
Nurse: "You’re having difficulty
concentrating?"
7. Seeking clarifications. Seeking to make clear that which is "I'm not sure that I follow. Could
not meaningful or that which is you tell me more?"
vague.
8. Perception checking/ Searching for mutual "Tell me whether my understanding
Checking consensual understanding, for accord in the of it agrees with yours"
validation. meaning of the words.
9. Offering self. Making oneself available. "I would like to spend my time with
you."

10. Giving information. Making available the facts that the "My name is…"
client needs.

11. Acknowledging. Giving recognition, in a non “You walk twice as far today with
judgmental way, of a change in your walker.”
behavior, an effort the client has
made, or a contribution to a
communication. Acknowledgment
may be with or without
understanding, verbal or non
verbal.
 12. Clarifying time/ Sequence. Makes the meaning of client’s Client: "Whenever I talk to my
message clear. doctor, I feel so upset."
Nurse: "Tell me what is making
you upset?"
13. Presenting reality. Offering for consideration that "I see no one else in the room."
which is real.

14. Focusing. Concentrating on a single point. "This point seems worth looking at
more closely."

15. Reflecting. Directing client actions, thoughts, Client: "Do you think I should tell
and feelings back to client. the doctor?"
Nurse: "Do you think you should?"
16. Summarizing/ Planning Bring together important points of "So in summary..."
discussion to enhance "Have I got it straight?"
understanding.

B. Barriers to Communication DIFINITION EXAMPLE

1. Stereotyping. Offering generalized and "Most people don’t have any pain
oversimplified beliefs about groups after this type of surgery."
of people that are based on
experiences too limited to be valid.
These responses categorize clients
and negate their uniqueness as
individuals.
2. Agreeing & disagreeing. These responses deter clients from Client: "What's the problem of that
thinking through their position and doctor he seems to be arrogant."
may cause a client to become
defensive. Nurse: "Dr. Joven is a good doctor
but I think he just have a bad day."

3. Being defensive. Attempting to protect a person or Client: ''My room is very dirty right
health care services from negative now, where is the utility service?
comments. they keep playing mobile legends!.''
Nurse: "I'll have you know we
literally clean the whole building.
You're not the only client you
know."
4. Challenging. Giving a response that makes Client: "I believe my husband
clients prove their statement or doesn’t love me."
point of view. These responses
indicate that the nurse is failing to Nurse: "You can’t say that; why, he
consider the client’s feelings, visits you every day."
making the client feel it necessary
to defend a position.
5. Probing. Asking for information chiefly out Client: "I didn’t ask the doctor
of curiosity rather than with the when he was here."
intent to assist the client. These
responses are considered prying Nurse: "Why didn’t you?"
and violate the client’s privacy.
Asking “why” is often probing and
places the client in a defensive
position.

6. Testing. Asking questions that make the "Do you think I am not busy?"
client admit to something .These (forces the client to admit that the
responses permit the client only nurse is really busy)
limited answers and often meet the
nurse’s need rather than the
client’s.

7. Rejecting. Refusing to discuss certain topics "I can’t talk now. I’m on my way
with the client. These responses for coffee break."
often make clients feel that the
nurse is rejecting not only their
communication but also the client
themselves.
8. Changing topics/subjects. Directing the communication into Client: "I cheated my husband, do
areas of self-interest rather than you think he can still forgive me
considering the client’s concerns is with that?"
often a self-protective response to a
topic that causes anxiety. These Nurse: "I see you like gardening.
responses imply that what the nurse This sunshine is good for my roses.
considers important will be I have a beautiful rose garden."
discussed and that clients should
not discuss certain topics.
9. Unwarranted reassurance. Using clichés or comforting "I’m sure everything will turn out
statements of advice as a means to all right."
reassure the client. These responses
block the fears, feelings, and other
thoughts of the client.
10. Passing judgment. Giving opinions and approving or "That’s not good enough."
disapproving responses, moralizing,
or implying one’s own values.
These responses imply that the
client must think as the nurse
thinks, fostering client dependence.
11. Giving common advice. Telling the client what to do. These Client: "Should I move from my
responses deny the client’s right to home to a nursing home?"
be an equal partner. Note that
giving expert advice rather than Nurse: "If I were you, I’d go o
common advice is therapeutic. nursing home, where you’ll get
your meals cooked for you."