Blocks to communication
- Communication Barriers (Nurse)
- Socializing
- Giving unrestricted and sometimes unsought advice
- Offering premature or inappropriate reassurance
- Giving over-ready encouragement
- Defending a situation or opinion
- Using stereotyped comments or clichés
- Limiting expression of emotion by asking directed, closed-ended questions
- Interrupting and finishing the person’s sentence
- Talking more than the interviewee
- Forming prejudged conclusions
- Deliberately changing the focus
- Signs of Information Overload (Patient)
- Long periods of silence
- Wide eyes and fixed facial expression
- Constant fidgeting or attempting to move away
- Nervous habits (e.g., tapping, playing with hair)
- Sudden interruptions (e.g., asking to go to the bathroom)
- Looking around
- Yawning, eyes drooping
- Frequently looking at a watch or clock
- Attempting to change the topic of discussion
Communicating with Children
- Allow children time to feel comfortable
- Avoid sudden or rapid advances, broad smiles, extended eye contact, and other gestures that may be threatening.
- Talk to the parent if the child is initially shy.
- Communicate through transition objects (such as, dolls, puppets, and stuffed animals) before questioning a young child directly.
- Give older children the opportunity to talk without the parents’ present.
- Assume a position that is at eye level with the child
- Speak in a quiet, unhurried, and confident voice.
- Speak clearly, be specific, and use simple words and short sentences.
- State directions and suggestions positively.
- Offer a choice only when one exists.
- Be honest with children.
- Allow children to express their concerns and fears.
- Use a variety of communication techniques.
Communicating with Adolescents
- Build a Foundation
- Spend time together.
- Encourage expression of ideas and feelings.
- Respect their views.
- Tolerate differences.
- Praise good points.
- Respect their privacy.
- Set a good example
- Communicate Effectively
- Give undivided attention.
- Listen, listen, and listen.
- Be courteous, calm, honest, and open-minded.
- Try not to overreact. If you do, take a break.
- Avoid judging or criticizing.
- Avoid the “third degree” of continuous questioning.
- Choose important issues when taking a stand.
- After taking a stand:
- Think through all options.
- Make expectations clear
