Patient Communication Case Study

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Nursing is known as the ‘caring profession’, one of its main aspects is communication. Nurses spend the majority of their time communicating with patients, relatives of patients, and other healthcare professionals. Communication is a fundamental skill that underpins human interaction, and so it is mandatory that nurses are effective and adaptable in social situations (Kraszewski & McEwen, 2010: Preface).
This case study endeavours to explore professional issues and communication in relation to person-centred care and the importance of a therapeutic patient-nurse relationship. In order to accomplish this, an examination of an encounter between a student nurse and a patient will be conducted.
Throughout this case study the patient will be referred …show more content…

She knew that Sam needed help and urgent assessment. Assessment can be viewed as the single most important intervention in the therapeutic management of aggressive behaviour. Assessment can be quickly followed by a thoroughly developed plan that is mandatory for the correct recognition, prevention and management of aggressive behaviour (NICE, 2006: 22).
The student nurse was aware that communications skills, both verbal and non-verbal, were paramount to Sam’s care. As stated by Stuart (2009, as cited in Balzer-Riley, 2012: 3) “Communication can either facilitate the development of a therapeutic relationship or create barriers”. Inadequate use of communication can be detrimental to the therapeutic relationship. The barriers created can include failure to individualize nursing care and ritualistic nursing care which leads to a task orientated approach (McCabe & Timmins, 2006: 76-90).
To put Sam at ease, the student nurse began by approaching him with a warm smile, knowing that it signified approval, encouragement and acceptance (Balzer-Riley, 2012: 12). She offered Sam a hot beverage then asked if it was okay for her to sit with him. His expression softened as he agreed to the beverage and the following

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