The use of "touch" to convey your feelings to a patient is called:

Appeared in: GMCH - 2016

Explanation

Haptic communication is the technical term for communication through the sense of touch.
In a clinical setting, this is often called therapeutic touch and is a key component of non-verbal communication.
It is used to convey empathy, support, and comfort, which helps in building a strong nurse-patient rapport.
Examples include holding a patient's hand, a gentle touch on the arm, or giving a back massage to reduce anxiety.

Option A: Extrasensory perception (ESP) refers to gaining information not through the physical senses but through the mind, such as telepathy. It is a parapsychological concept, not a form of therapeutic communication.
Option C: Gestalt therapy is a specific type of psychotherapy that focuses on the patient's present experience and personal responsibility. While it involves the whole person, it is not a term for communication via touch.
Option D: Neural networking refers to systems of artificial neurons in computer science (artificial intelligence) or the biological networks of neurons in the brain. It does not describe interpersonal communication.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Non-verbal communication in nursing to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Therapeutic touch is a vital nursing skill that can significantly improve patient outcomes by reducing stress, pain, and anxiety.
Nurses must always be mindful of cultural, personal, and psychological boundaries. Always assess a patient's receptiveness to touch and obtain permission, as unwanted touch can be perceived as an invasion of privacy or even be traumatic for some patients.
What if the patient has a history of abuse or comes from a culture where touch between strangers is inappropriate? The nurse must prioritize the patient's comfort and safety, relying on other non-verbal cues like a warm tone of voice, open body language, and attentive listening to convey empathy and build trust.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key concept in the question stem, which is the 'use of touch to convey feelings'.
This is a definition-based recall question. Your task is to find the correct term for this specific action.
Analyze the options provided. 'Haptic' is the adjective related to the sense of touch.
Evaluate the other options to confirm they are incorrect. 'Extrasensory perception' relates to psychic phenomena, 'Gestalt therapy' is a type of psychotherapy, and 'Neural networking' is a term from technology and biology.
Conclude that 'Haptic communication' is the only term that accurately describes communication through touch.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 122-124

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 1 p. 111-113

Practise the full GMCH - 2016

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.