A nurse is teaching a client about the benefits of an electronic health record.
Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

a. Using medical jargon

• Rationale: Medical jargon can be precise and efficient for communication among healthcare professionals. However, it can be confusing and intimidating for patients or non-medical staff, which is not therapeutic.

b. Active listening

• Rationale: Active listening involves fully focusing, understanding, responding and then remembering what is being said. It is a fundamental component of therapeutic communication as it shows respect and understanding for the speaker, builds trust, and helps to facilitate a deeper understanding of a patient’s perspective and needs.

c. Giving advice

• Rationale: While it might seem helpful to give advice, it can often disempower the patient or make them feel like they are not being heard. Therapeutic communication should be patient-centered and empowering.

d. Using closed-ended questions

• Rationale: Closed-ended questions can be useful for gathering specific information quickly. However, they limit the depth of response and can shut down communication, making them less therapeutic.

The correct answer isb. Active listening. This technique is a key component of therapeutic communication as it encourages a deeper understanding and is respectful and patient-centered. It helps in building a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship.

Choice A rationale:

Material safety data sheets (MSDS) primarily contain information related to hazardous chemicals and substances used in healthcare settings. While MSDS can be valuable for safety purposes, they do not provide comprehensive information on specimen collection protocols. Therefore, MSDS is not the most appropriate source for revising the specimen collection protocol.

Choice B rationale:

Client medical records are essential for individual patient care and documentation. However, they do not contain the information needed to revise the protocol for specimen collection on the unit. Medical records are specific to individual patient histories, diagnoses, and treatments, and do not address broader unit-wide protocols.

Choice C rationale:

Facility policy and procedures are the most appropriate source for retrieving information to revise the protocol for specimen collection on the unit. These policies and procedures are specifically designed to guide healthcare providers in delivering safe and effective care within the facility. They encompass standardized protocols for various clinical procedures, including specimen collection, making them the ideal source for the nurse's research.

Choice D rationale:

Evidence-based practice (EBP) involves using the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values to guide healthcare decisions. While EBP is crucial in healthcare, it is not the primary source for revising unit-specific protocols. EBP provides a broader framework for making clinical decisions but may not cover the specific policies and procedures unique to the facility.