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2 Communicating with
patients and their families
Communicate with the patient
Illness and hospitalization are stressful, often deeply frightening
experiences for patients and their families. The nurse is there to
help patients through this experience. Good, clear, supportive
communication is an important part of the help given. When you
first meet a patient, say, "I am here to help you". Also, immediately
tell the patient who you are: "I am Mrs Corpus, your nurse". Then,
every time you enter the patient's room, take the opportunity to
communicate. Your smile, your caring and your readiness to make
contact will ease the patient's time in the hospital. Follow these
basic guidelines for communicating with the patient.
Listen to the patient
Begin a conversation with the patient by using open questions like
these:
“How are you feeling today?”
“Yesterday you were feeling very worried; how are you
today?”
Nursing care of the sick
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Concentrate on the patient and do not let other things distract your
attention. Use your eyes, facial expression and tone of voice to
show interest. Try not to interrupt. Let the patient say what he or
she needs to say.
If the patient's message is not clear, ask questions to get more
information or to clarify what was said. Do not jump to conclusions
about what the patient means or what the patient needs. Listen to
what the patient says and also to how he or she says it and to what
is not said. Watch the expressions on the patient's face, and any
gestures and body movements. Sometimes the patient’s face, or
tone of voice, or way of speaking can say more than words.
Keep what the patient says confidential
If information from the patient needs to be given to another person in
order to help the patient, let the patient know that you are going to tell
that person. For example, if the patient tells you about a symptom
that he or she has not had before, tell the patient that you will let the
doctor know. If th