NCM 103 Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
Chapter 3: Communication Skills
4.1 Define the following terms
Communication - means of exchanging information or feelings between two or more people;
basic component in human relationship
Communication skills - ability to convey information to another effectively and efficiently
Effective communication - key interpersonal skill and learning how we can improve our
communication with many benefits
Helping relationship - nurse-client relationship, interpersonal or therapeutic relationship
Therapeutic communication - face to face process of interacting that focuses on advancing the
physical and emotional well-being of a patient
4.2 Explain the process of communication and its elements
Circular transactional model - indicates that messages can go in two directions
Referent - motivates one person to communicate with another
Sender - person who encodes and delivers the message
Receiver - person who receives and decodes the message
Message - content of the communication
Channels - means of sending and receiving messages
Feedback - message a receiver receives from the sender
Interpersonal variables - factors within that influence communication
Environment - setting for sender-receiver interaction
4.3 Identify the different modes of communication
Verbal communication - uses spoken or written words
- Vocabulary
- Denotative and connotative meaning
- Pacing
- Intonation
- Clarity and brevity
- Timing and relevance
Non-verbal communication - includes the five senses
- Personal appearance
- Posture and gait
- Facial expression
- Eye contact
- Gestures
- Sounds
- Territoriality and personal space
Personal space - distance from another person at which one feels comfortable when talking to
or being next to that other person
- Intimate zone (0.8 in.)
- Personal zone (18 in.-4 ft.)
- Socio-consultative zone (9-12 ft.)
- Public zone (12 ft. and more)
Touch - form of physical contact that expresses feelings and emotions
Chapter 3: Communication Skills
4.1 Define the following terms
Communication - means of exchanging information or feelings between two or more people;
basic component in human relationship
Communication skills - ability to convey information to another effectively and efficiently
Effective communication - key interpersonal skill and learning how we can improve our
communication with many benefits
Helping relationship - nurse-client relationship, interpersonal or therapeutic relationship
Therapeutic communication - face to face process of interacting that focuses on advancing the
physical and emotional well-being of a patient
4.2 Explain the process of communication and its elements
Circular transactional model - indicates that messages can go in two directions
Referent - motivates one person to communicate with another
Sender - person who encodes and delivers the message
Receiver - person who receives and decodes the message
Message - content of the communication
Channels - means of sending and receiving messages
Feedback - message a receiver receives from the sender
Interpersonal variables - factors within that influence communication
Environment - setting for sender-receiver interaction
4.3 Identify the different modes of communication
Verbal communication - uses spoken or written words
- Vocabulary
- Denotative and connotative meaning
- Pacing
- Intonation
- Clarity and brevity
- Timing and relevance
Non-verbal communication - includes the five senses
- Personal appearance
- Posture and gait
- Facial expression
- Eye contact
- Gestures
- Sounds
- Territoriality and personal space
Personal space - distance from another person at which one feels comfortable when talking to
or being next to that other person
- Intimate zone (0.8 in.)
- Personal zone (18 in.-4 ft.)
- Socio-consultative zone (9-12 ft.)
- Public zone (12 ft. and more)
Touch - form of physical contact that expresses feelings and emotions
