General Questions to Engage a Patient in Conversation

[AlexandraP]

Hey guys! I'm a nursing student in my third semester and I'm new to this site. I had a quick question.

My last few clinical rotations, I mostly took care of patients with traumatic brain injuries and patients on mechanical ventilators. I would talk to them about their treatments and stuff like that. My patients were A&O x0 so there was no pressure on me to hold a conversation.

This semester I'm taking care of patients that are completely cognitive and aware of their surroundings. I'm kind of struggling with things to talk to them about. I get nervous when I go into their rooms and I worry that they think I'm stupid.

What are some solid general questions I could ask my patients as I'm doing their assessment (other than 'How are you')? I need some things I could fall back on if I get nervous and can't think of anything that is specific to their status.

[karamarie91]

Just ask them general things like the weather, how did they sleep, how has their day been going...

Some patients aren't really too keen on communication(they could be angry they're there at the hospital in the first place), so just be friendly and mention that always there to help if you.

Imagine if you were them and how you would like to be treated. Whatever you do, don't divulge too much personal information in an attempt to connect with them. It could backfire on you, but in general, showing them you have similarities is a great thing.

[suanna]

My banter is often the same. Keep in mind, the patient is the reason you are there. People can feel swallowed up by the stuff that we foist on them in a hospital. I try to connect to the whole person and get them to talk about who they are in the "real world". Where do you live? Have you always lived there? You can get into a dangerous area if you ask about family- It helps to review the next of kin or contact info to give you a clue. If there is family listed- ask about kids, grandchildren, pets... Mostly I want the patient to know I see them as a person, not a disease, and not the cardiomyopathy in rm 313. If we touch common ground-grandkids for instance I often make small talk about my grandchildren and ask about theirs. sharing small details about yourslf builds trust and halps the patient feel more connected to thier caregivers. It's easier to trust the "nurse with all the grandkids" than one more strange face and name that has showed up to poke and prod. NEVER go to politics or religeon unless it is beyond doubt that you are on safe ground. If my patient mentions they are an elder in the Church of the Holey Pretzel I can agree that a strong faith can see us through a lot of trying times- not much more. I encourage nurses in training to keep the disease talk to a minimum. Sure- how is your pain? Is your nausia better? You seem to be breathing hard- what are you feeling? are necessary- but if the only conversation you have with your patient is illness related, you may as well be a IV pump for all the support you are providing.