Section II. Communication Skills

person; he has individual needs because he is unique; he has special needs because

he is sick. The Practical Nurse supplies the help that is required to meet the patient's

needs during the stressful periods of hospitalization and recuperation.

Section II. COMMUNICATION SKILLS

1-10. INTRODUCTION

If you were to try to explain the process of human interaction, you might define it

as a huge and very complex communication system. Nevertheless, it is essential that

you develop and maintain an understanding of the methods and skills of communication

in order to meet the needs of the patient. The quality of care you can provide is, in

many ways, dependent on the quality of communication that exists between you and

your patient. Through your direct contact, the patient must perceive your intentions of

support and your positive expectations. You must accurately assess the patient's

physical and emotional symptoms. Communication has only taken place if the message

being sent was accurately received.

1-11. PURPOSES OF COMMUNICATION

a. Major Purpose. To send, receive, interpret, and respond appropriately and

clearly to a message, an interchange of information.

b. Supportive Purposes.

(1)

To correct the information a person has about himself and others.

(2)

To provide the satisfaction or pleasure of expressing oneself.

1-12. ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF THE HUMAN COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

The essential components of communication are:

a. Sender--the originator or source of the idea.

b. Message--the idea.

c. Channel--the means of transmitting (either verbally or nonverbally) the idea.

d. Receiver--someone to receive and interpret the message.

e. Feedback--the response to the message.

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