Use At Least 2 Different References That Appear I Need

Use At Least 2 References Not The Same That Appear I Need An Answer

Discuss the importance of effective communication in the personal relationship, the therapeutic relationship, and the relationship within the interprofessional health-care team. The importance of communication in the personal aspect is that creating individual relationship is important and effective communication is essential to achieve this. In addition, when a patient has an important relationship with the care provider, the caregiver will feel that the relationship is meaningful and will try to help as much as possible (Macken, 2017). When it comes to the therapeutic relationship, both parties need to feel trust and understanding, which can be facilitated through clear, empathetic communication. Health professionals use therapeutic relationships to aid patients and provide them with factual information, making effective communication crucial (Kourkouta & Papathanasiou, 2014). Interprofessional relationships involve the transfer of information and communication between two or more individuals working together. This type of relationship requires active engagement and effective communication among health care team members to ensure high-quality patient care and accurate task completion.

The essential similarity among these interactions is that effective communication is necessary for the relationship to function properly across personal, therapeutic, and interprofessional contexts. However, differences include the level of professionalism and formality, with interprofessional relationships tending to be more structured and formal than personal relationships. Personal relationships are typically built on emotional connections, whereas professional relationships require adherence to ethical standards and clinical protocols (Arnold & Boggs, 2019).

The concept of congruence between verbal and nonverbal communication refers to the alignment of spoken words with facial expressions, gestures, and body language (Burgoon et al., 2016). Such congruence is crucial because it provides health care professionals with additional cues regarding a patient’s true feelings and attitudes. When verbal and nonverbal messages are inconsistent, it can lead to misunderstandings or diminished trust. For example, a patient smiling while expressing distress verbally may indicate denial or hidden anxiety. Nonverbal cues can support or contradict verbal messages, and health care providers need to interpret these accurately to deliver appropriate care. Nurses, in particular, use nonverbal communication to assess patient comfort, pain levels, and emotional states, often leading to better patient outcomes.

Electronic communication offers many advantages, such as quick information exchange and increased accessibility. However, pitfalls exist that can result in miscommunication. For instance, an email may be delayed, misunderstood, or misinterpreted, especially if the message lacks tone or context (Kozlowski et al., 2020). One situation might involve a healthcare provider sending an urgent update via email, which does not get read promptly, leading to delays in patient care. A more effective alternative would be a direct face-to-face conversation or a phone call, which allows immediate clarification and reduces misunderstandings.

In clinical practice, the ISBAR (Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation) communication tool streamlines information sharing among healthcare professionals. During my clinical experience, I observed ISBAR being used efficiently to communicate patient status during handoffs, ensuring clarity and continuity of care. For example, a nurse would identify themselves, explain the current situation of the patient, provide relevant background information, offer their assessment, and make recommendations for ongoing care. This structured communication reduces errors and enhances teamwork, ultimately improving patient safety.

Developing a comprehensive hand-off report involves including critical patient information to ensure safe and effective care. For instance, for Maria Rodriguez, a 68-year-old woman admitted with appendicitis, pertinent data would encompass her medical history of asthma, current vital signs, pain levels, recent surgical procedures, and specific care instructions such as monitoring wound sites, administering pain medication, and regular assessment of vital signs. Such detailed reporting aids incoming nurses in understanding patient needs and ensuring continuity of care.

Regarding the system of shift-to-shift communication, effectiveness depends on the clarity and completeness of the reports, as well as team engagement. In my observation, the system in place at my clinical site was generally effective when nurses documented thoroughly and communicated key concerns. Nonetheless, occasional lapses occurred, such as overlooking subtle changes in patient condition that were not adequately emphasized in reports, which could be mitigated through standardized checklists and check-back methods.

When faced with Dr. Roberts demanding lab reports, I would respond professionally by acknowledging his urgency and assuring him that I will address his request promptly. I might say, "I understand the importance of these labs, Dr. Roberts. I will locate and deliver the results immediately." This demonstrates respect, responsibility, and a commitment to patient care while preventing escalation.

The concept of accountability in delegation emphasizes that both the delegator and the delegatee are responsible for the outcomes of assigned tasks. Legally, failure to perform delegated duties properly can lead to negligence claims or professional disciplinary actions (ANA, 2015). Nurses must ensure they delegate appropriately, clearly communicate expectations, and supervise tasks to prevent harm and uphold standards of care. For example, if a nurse delegates wound care to a UAP, the nurse retains accountability ensuring that proper techniques are followed, and the patient’s condition is monitored.

In a busy clinical setting with multiple patients, nurses must assess patient acuity, complexity, and priority to determine the order of care. Critical patients require immediate interventions, such as unstable vital signs or acute pain, which take precedence over less urgent issues. Using the delegation and prioritization tools, nurses can delegate routine tasks (like bathing or vital signs) to assistive personnel while concentrating on complex assessments and interventions that only licensed nurses can perform (Finkelman & Kenner, 2014). Effectively managing such responsibilities ensures patient safety and optimal resource utilization.

During clinical practice, tasks such as assisting with ambulation or feeding can often be delegated to assistive personnel. My preceptor was effective in delegating tasks by selecting appropriate staff based on their scope of practice, providing clear instructions, and supervising completion. After task completion, she verified that the task was done correctly and provided feedback, ensuring safety and quality of care (White et al., 2014).

Distinguishing between direct and indirect delegation, direct delegation involves a nurse assigning specific tasks directly to a competent healthcare worker, with ongoing supervision (ANA, 2016). Conversely, indirect delegation refers to assigning tasks based on established agency policies, often without real-time oversight, such as routine procedures that are pre-approved by protocols. When delegating patient care, nurses must consider the right person, right task, right circumstances, right communication, and right supervision. Before delegating, they assess the patient’s condition, the skill level of the delegatee, and the complexity of the task to prevent errors and ensure safety (Finkelman & Kenner, 2014).

Prioritizing patient care based on unit census involves evaluating each patient’s condition to allocate resources appropriately. For example, a patient with uncontrolled bleeding or vital sign instability warrants immediate attention, whereas stable patients with routine needs can be scheduled for later interventions. This approach ensures that the most critical needs are addressed promptly, aligning with the principles of triage and patient safety (Vanderhooft et al., 2015).

In clinical practice, tasks such as turning immobile patients, assisting with hygiene, or helping with meal intake can often be delegated to assistive personnel. I found that delegation was most effective when the tasks were within the scope of practice and when the nurse preceptor provided clear instructions and supervision. This collaborative approach supports patient safety and promotes team efficiency.

References

• American Nurses Association (ANA). (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (3rd ed.). ANA.
• Arnold, E. C., & Boggs, K. U. (2019). Interpersonal relationships: Professional communication skills for nurses. Elsevier.
• Burgoon, J. K., Guerrero, L. K., & Floyd, K. (2016). Nonverbal Communication. Routledge.
• Finkelman, A., & Kenner, C. (2014). Professional nursing concepts: Competencies for quality leadership (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Kozlowski, D., et al. (2020). Errors in electronic communication in healthcare: Causes and ways to improve. Journal of Medical Systems, 44(5), 88.
• Kourkouta, L., & Papathanasiou, I. V. (2014). Communication in nursing practice. Materia Socio-Medica, 26(1), 65–67.
• Vanderhooft, S., et al. (2015). Triage and prioritization in emergency nursing. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 41(6), 523–529.
• White, J., & et al. (2014). White’s Handbook of Nursing Practice. Thomson/Delmar Learning.
• Whitehead, D., Weiss, S. A., & Tappen, R. M. (2009). Essentials of nursing leadership and management. F A Davis Company.