For this reason, the nurse will attempt to alleviate these symptoms in order to be able to overcome this barrier to effective communication. Emotional State and Level of StressĬommunication can be greatly impaired when the client is adversely affected with stress and other emotional states such as anxiety, fear, distress, and confusion. For example, the nurse may communicate with a nonresponsive client with touch to communicate caring and the presence of the nurse, and they may use pictures to communicate messages to a client who is not able to receive and process verbal communication. The nurse will also assess the client's communication needs in terms of their level of consciousness and, then, plan care accordingly. Level of Consciousnessĭepending on the client's level of consciousness along the continuum some clients are fully able to effectively formulate and send a message, process and respond to the message others may be only able to send a message OR receive a message effectively and still more may not be able to do either. The nurse will assess the client's communication needs in respect to their specific age and developmental status and modify care accordingly to these age related needs. For example, they will interpret the angry face of a parent as one that expresses the dissatisfaction of the parent in terms of their poor behavior. They are also now able to receive and process nonverbal communication cues as well as to send messages with the same cues. Young children, like toddlers and preschool children, typically have a limited vocabulary so they are not able to understand verbal messages unless they are simple and at their level of understanding. They are also not able to process messages from others unless they consist of message cues like cooing, a gentle touch and a facial expression such as a smile. Infants can only communicate and send messages to others with behavioral cues such as crying and smiling. For example, nurses must overcome barriers to communication such as: Level of Development and Age Many factors impact on and adversely affect communication. The sender transmits and conveys the message to others the receiver is the person who gets the message from the sender the message is the information or emotion that is being conveyed or sent to another and the feedback is the response of the receiver to the message. The expressions of the message and the responding to the message can be done orally, in writing and with body language cues like shaking one's head up and down for yes and side to side for no, for example. The sender of the message must be able to formulate and then express the message and the receiver of the message must be able to process the message and then effectively respond back to the message. It is essential that the components of all types of communication are effective in order for the communication to occur and be effective. Communication can occur with the spoken word, with the written word, and with body language and gestures, which are oral communication, written communication and nonverbal communication, respectively. There are several forms of communication. Connectedness and interrelationships between and among human beings occur because communication occurs. Evaluate the effectiveness of communications with the clientĪssessing Verbal and Nonverbal Client Communication NeedsĬommunication is a human, interactive process that sends some meaning, information, message, emotions, and/or beliefs from one human being to another person or to a group of people.

Encourage the client to verbalize feelings (e.g., fear, discomfort).

Use therapeutic communication techniques to provide client support.

Allow time to communicate with the client.

Respect the client's personal values and beliefs.

Assess verbal and nonverbal client communication needs.

In this section of the NCLEX-RN examination, you will be expected to demonstrate your knowledge and skills of therapeutic communication in order to:

Active listening in nursing