A nurse is conducting a family assessment and is focusing, for the moment, on the family members' communication patterns. Which of the following indicate that there are existing or potential problems with family communication?

Question

1. All members are participating in the discussion equally, some quite vocally.
2. The verbal communication is congruent with the nonverbal messages.
3. A few of the members just sit and listen.
4. Disagreements are not addressed among members, rather ignored by the person who does the most talking.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Even though some members are more vocal, at least all are participating in the discussion..
Rationale 2: Nonverbal communication is important because it gives valuable clues about what people are feeling. Even though some members are more vocal, at least all are participating in the discussion. Verbal communication should be congruent with nonverbal cues.
Rationale 3: Listening is an art, and not all members of a family need to speak in the same setting.
Rationale 4: This option describes an authoritarian setting where other members may be cautious in expressing their feelings because of power struggles, hostility, or anger. Nurses should pay special attention to who does the talking for the family, which members are silent, how disagreements are handled, and how well the members listen to one another and encourage the participation of others.