Patient Needs
Effective communication builds trust, reduces stress, promotes comfort, and helps residents express their needs.
- Verbal: Spoken words, tone, and clarity.
- Nonverbal: Facial expressions, gestures, posture, and body language.
What Should I Assess?
- Can the resident understand and respond?
- Are there language, hearing, speech, or cognitive barriers?
- Does their body language suggest distress or discomfort?
How Do I Provide Care?
- Active Listening: Give attention without interrupting.
- Empathy: Acknowledge feelings without judgment.
- Eye Contact: Maintain culturally and individually appropriate eye contact.
- Body Language: Use a calm, open posture.
- “I” Statements: Express concerns without blame.
- Clarity: Use simple language and allow time for responses.
Safety & Precautions
- Avoid rushing, arguing, or dismissing concerns.
- Respect communication preferences and cultural differences.
- Do not assume silence means understanding or consent.
What Should I Report?
- New difficulty communicating.
- Sudden changes in behavior or understanding.
- Unexpressed needs, distress, or communication barriers affecting care.
Related
Flashcards
Why use open-ended questions when possible?03-application / patient-care
Answer
They encourage the resident to express concerns in their own words.