Use of Exact Language

Presentation By:Rosemarie RomitoCollege of Our Lady of The Elms

Did you

get my

MEMO?

Objectives

Recognize how to use exact words to improve communications with co-workers and the interdisciplinary team, in the clinical setting.

Demonstrate the use of concrete nouns and vivid, professional speech, when giving shift report.

Describe the use of exact language and how it can benefit the professional nurse when advocating for the patient.

What is Exact Language?

Words that specifically describe what are meant to be said.

Resist the use of flowery speech or words that overstate the facts

Choose vivid, specific words to support your statement

Avoid misuse of words. Utilize a dictionary or thesaurus

 Avoid Clichés 

“Well Doctor…He’s as dead as a doornail”

Avoid Clichés

“Take two aspirin and call me in the morning!”

Use words appropriately

Emotional words have connotations that affect how people respond

Used incorrectly, the statement could be easily misunderstood

Is this statement misleading?

“The patient was tortured with pain all night long. I had to medicate him with Roxanol 0.5mg to get him through it.”

Incorrect use of a verb

Mr. D. died at 11:07pm., CMO. He was strong and tried to fight, but to no prevail. His family was by his side. T.O./Dr.B. accept to transport Mr.D. to funeral home. T.O. R.B./Dr.B/NanY.RN_

Be Specific

Specific, concrete nouns are used to focus on what is important.

How Much?

“The medication cream is in the drawer…you don’t need too much for the wound, so whatever you think is good”

What does funny describe?

“Mary, the patient down the hall, says she is feeling a little funny ”

Exactly, What Are You Saying?

Exact Language= Knowledge

Use professional jargon appropriately when in the clinical setting.

Be clear and concise when reporting patient information to the oncoming nurse.

Utilize these skills when advocating for your patient.

Be prepared. Use concrete nouns when speaking to a physician about a patient.

Pearl of wisdom

“If the source does not reach the receiver

with the intended message, the source

might just as well have talked to himself

or herself”

Kearney-Nunnery, 2012, p.109

Thank You!

References

Hacker, D., & Sommers, N. (2011). A writers reference (7th ed.) (pp. 165-

169). Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martin’s Press.

Kearney-Nunnery, R. (2012). Advancing your career: Concepts of

professional nursing (4th ed.) (pp. 108-125). Philadelphia: Davis.