Help with ice breaker, and therapeutic communication

[Slana497]

We are going over therapeutic communication and I did the assignments, did good on the tests(so I can recognize which techniques are being used), but when it comes to being there in front of the patient I have a ridiculously hard time standing there trying to think of questions to ask them without going into the "friend" mode, where I just start blabbing about things, have a lot of automatic responses, etc. So I have two questions for whoever is willing to answer:

1. When you go into the room for the 1st time, do you do anything to break the ice a bit and get the patient to open up to you? I mean, other then provide the standard no-brainer info like hi my name is...I'm your student nurse, how are you? Specific example much appreciated

2. What are so general questions I can ask a patient (applies to all patients) that are therapeutic, and I can just cram in if there are any awkward silences... I always like to be prepared, so I always have a couple prepared....like since our clinical site is a rehab hospital, I ask what exercises are they focusing on in physical therapy, and if there are any that are especially challenging, etc. Anyone have more of those that I can use?

[JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN]

Because I was on an evening shift, I would ask how there day has been. Any improvement in symptoms during the day? Did they have any visitors? The hospitals in my area have patients from a 50 mile radius so I always ask if they live in town or if they have family in town. If a family member brought them in, I ask if that person has visited. Then I begin to ask some of my assessment questions that are a priority for their reason for being in the hospital. I tell them I am going to listen to their breathing, etc. Asking questions then listening, looking or palpating. Some people will want to tell you everything and some will be more reserved.

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

I make it a point to look at the demographics of the patients chart. My last patient was a Marine. So, when I entered the room, I introduced myself and made mention that I understood he was a Marine. I then thanked him for serving our country and then expressed how important I thought his commitment was for our country. He then started talking about his experiences. I find people like to talk about themselves. Find something that is unique about the patient. The other thing is that you have to be genuinely interested in wanting to talk to the patient. They will know if you are going through a reheorificed therapeutic conversation. I think showing respect and interest in the person builds the trust needed to get the patient to open up. I have had some difficult ones, but by the end of my shift, I was carrying on a conversation with them. The other thing is the timing.

[loriangel14, RN]

If it's day shift I ask how they slept, are they having any pain, breakfast is coming soon, are you hungry?remind them if they are going for any procedures or tests, while I'm doing vitals I may comment on anything at the bedside, flowers, family pictures, a book they are reading...I have a lot of elderly patients so I am assessing for mental sharpness, memory, family dynamics and so on.