Therapeutic and non therapeutic communication

Reflective Journal

Write 100-word Reflective Journal on how this clinical scenario enhanced your understanding

of important communication techniques and what would be incorporated into your individual

communication style to improve the nurse-patient/family relationship.

Case Video Transcript:

· Christinas entrance into Mr. Emerson’s Rooms

Result: Nontherapeutic

Rationale: Lack of eye contact is a nontherapeutic nonverbal communication technique because it indicates the nurse is not interested in what is being said by the client.

· "We will give you another how to sleep, then she can come back and get you up and assist you. Okay?"

Result: Therapeutic

Rationale: Summarizing is a therapeutic communication technique because it restates the main points discussed and provides closure.

· "Mr. Emerson, would you like to tell us what we can do for you today?"

Result: Therapeutic

Rationale: Adaptability supports interprofessional and client communication by allowing the nurse to change the tone of speech to align a message with the behavior and cues of the recipient.

· Christina touches Mr. Emerson’s shoulder

Result: Therapeutic

Rationale: Touch is a therapeutic communication technique because it conveys caring and empathetic feelings by the nurse toward the client.

· "Mr. Emerson has had a stroke and has dysarthria. The stroke paralyzed half of his tongue and mouth so he has difficulty enunciating clearly"

Result: Therapeutic

Rationale: Credibility supports interprofessional and client communication by conveying confidence, providing accurate information, and acknowledging limitations during nurse-provider and nurse-client interactions.

· "Come on, Mr. Emerson, why do you want to sleep the morning away? Its so beautiful outside today"

Result: Non-Therapeutic

Rationale: This statement demonstrates two nontherapeutic communication techniques. Arguing and disagreeing are nontherapeutic communication techniques because they imply that the client is misinformed, lying, or uneducated, subsequently causing the client to become defensive. Asking a “why” question is also a nontherapeutic communication technique because it can be perceived as accusatory, causing the client to become defensive and mistrust the person who asked the question.

· "I’m Christina, the new AP here. I’ll be working with you. I’m here to help you get up this morning and down to the dining area for breakfast."

Result: Therapeutic

Rationale: Developing rapport with a client supports the establishment of a therapeutic relationship by sharing mutual feelings of acceptance, while maintaining open communication and the development of trust and respect.

· "Why are you hiding?"

Result: Non-Therapeutic

Rationale: Asking a “why” question is a nontherapeutic communication technique because it can be perceived as accusatory, causing the client to become defensive and mistrust the person who asked the question.

· Christina opening the curtains

Result: Non-Therapeutic

Rationale: Adopting a tense attitude is a nontherapeutic nonverbal communication technique that can impede the creation of a sense of comfort with the client.

· "Maybe you can teach me how to use the communication board"

Result: Therapeutic

Rationale: Demonstrating empathy supports the establishment of a therapeutic relationship by being able to sense the client’s inner experience and convert the nurse's words and actions into feelings.

· "Now Mr. Emerson, I have so much work to do. This isn’t helping me. You should really get up now"

Result: Non-Therapeutic

Rationale: Focusing on self is a nontherapeutic communication technique because it prevents the client’s goals from being perceived as most important.

· "Good Morning Mr. Emerson. How are you? How was your night? Are you ready to get up for the morning?

Result: Non-Therapeutic

Rationale: Asking closed-ended questions is a nontherapeutic communication technique because it does not allow the client to express what he is thinking or how he is feeling.