| Term | Definition |
| Active Listening | hearing sounds and searching for information relevant to those sounds so the sounds may be understood |
| Affective Communication | sending or receiving information through feeling tone |
| Belittling | mimicking or making fun of a person in some way |
| closed-ended questions | questions that require specific answers from a patient |
| commitment | pledge to do one's best |
| empathy | respectful, detached concern |
| false reassurance | promising the patient something you cannot deliver, such as saying "You'll be just fine." |
| feedback | response to the sender's message as a part of meaningful conversation |
| focused questions | questions that require definitive, precise information from a patient |
| giving advice | telling someone what to do |
| honesty | to not deliberately deceive to present oneself in a better light |
| humor | communication characteristics to help "lighten up" a situation |
| judging | arriving at an opinion based on some evidence. Can be a communication block, particularly if judging is perceived as "thinking less" of the person. |
| knowledge | repeat information exactly as read or told. Does not imply an understanding of the information |
| message | the idea being conveyed or the question being asked |
| nonverbal communication | sending or receiving information by facial expression or body language |
| one-way communication | when the sender controls a situation and offers no opportunity for feedback from the receiver; used to give a command |
| open-ended questions | questions that permit the pt to respond in a way most meaningful to him or her. These type of questions often begin with what, where, and when |
| simple answers | General responses. Can be a communication block and discount the pt as a person |
| patience | willingness to put up with waiting and being okay about doing so |
| probing | pushing for information beyond what is medically necessary to know |
| purpose | reason |
| receiver | person receiving the message, idea, or question |
| respect | consideration, regard |
| self-esteem | special sense that it is okay to receive credit for something you did well |
| sender | person conveying an idea or asking a question |
| sensitivity | awareness of what others are feeling. Tunes in on affective and nonverbal communication. |
| therapeutic communication | between the patient and the nurse. the focus is on the patient |
| trust | rely on, depend on |
| two-way communication | when there is feedback or discussion between the sender and receiver; usual form of conversation |
| verbal communication | sending or receiving communication through the spoken or written word |
