Script Analysis: Improving Nurse-Patient Communication in Mental Ward

This assignment presents a script illustrating both ineffective and effective communication strategies between a nurse and a drug-addicted patient in a mental ward setting. The 'worst communication' scenario showcases a nurse's rude and dismissive behavior, leading to patient agitation. Conversely, the 'good communication' scenario demonstrates empathy, active listening, and patient-centered care, resulting in a more positive and therapeutic interaction. The script highlights the importance of a nurse's demeanor, verbal cues, and ability to address patient concerns with compassion and understanding, crucial for fostering trust and cooperation in a healthcare environment. Desklib provides a platform for students to access similar solved assignments and study resources.

Running head: SCRIPT OF COMMUNICATION
Script of Communication
Name of student:
Name of university:
Author Note:

1SCRIPT OF COMMUNICATION
The following is a communication between nurse and drug addict patient who has come for a
check up.
Worst communication
In the morning shift in mental ward…
Nurse: “yeah come in and take a seat.”
The nurse addresses to the patient with an angry look which is not polite (DeVito et al., 2016,
p.224).
Patient: “No I will not sit.”
The patient did not greet the nurse back and stood by the table side with a look of irritation in
the eyes. The patient was murmuring by himself.
Nurse: “Stop murmuring and stay silent for the next twenty minutes till the senior doctor
comes in for your checkup.”
Here, the nurse speaks with rudeness and she stood by the door, waiting for the senior doctor.
This shows the nurse is not willing to attend the drug addict patient (DeVito et al., 2016,
p.240).
Patient: “Tell your doctor to come quickly. I do not have an entire day to waste for your
checkup drama.”
Here, the patient becomes aggressive while waiting in the ward and speaks with his mouth
full of smoke, his eyes are popping out red.
Nurse: “Look, I have other patients to look after.” “You are no famous personality that the
doctor will keep waiting for you. Behave properly and speak softly.”

2SCRIPT OF COMMUNICATION
Here, it shows that the nurse is reluctant to listen to this patient and is trying to move to the
other wards to avoid the patient (DeVito et al., 2016, p.102).
Patient: “First you give me a dose of cocaine or else I will threw all threw all these
documented files into the backyard.”
The patient becomes excited due to drug dependent mental instability. He feigns to throw
away the files through the window.
Nurse: “Do not touch any of the documents on the table. If you do not sit patiently I will give
you a sedative injection.”
The nurse comes running and speaks loudly at the patient, which is not an empathetic manner
to approach any mental patient.
Good communication
Nurse: “Good morning! Please have a seat.”
The nurse stands up and greets the patient cordially. This is a polite gesture (DeVito et al.,
2016, p.213).
Patient: “I will not sit here.”
Nurse: “How have you been feeling these days? Did you take your medicines regularly?”
The nurse expresses care and concern for the patient (DeVito et al., 2016, p.251).
Patient: “I feel a little better, although visions still appear after taking these medicines at
night. I feel restless.”
The patient becomes weakened while describing his problems.

3SCRIPT OF COMMUNICATION
Nurse: “What kind of visions do you get nowadays? Are they related to any of your
childhood incidents? Do you feel any pain in your head when you see those visions?”
The nurse becomes empathetic and tries to understand his situation more deeply. This is the
appropriate concerning approach a patient expects in a state of drug addiction (DeVito et al.,
2016, p.222).
Patient: “I do not remember anything about the visions. They just appear and fade away. I
feel so afraid.”
The patient expresses fear; he seems to ask for help to remove all these visions. He speaks in
a calm and composed manner.
Nurse: “Please do not stress yourself. Take a deep breath. Please have a glass of water. Lie
down on the bed and take rest for a while. Do not exert yourself too much.”
The nurse tries to relieve the patient’s mental state, taking care that he does not become weak
and emotionally down.
The patient lies down on the bed as the nurse said.
Nurse: “I am giving you an injection. You will feel better than before. Please wait here till
senior doctor comes. Stay relaxed and keep your eyes closed.”
The nurse presents a polite and patient gesture (DeVito et al., 2016, p.226). She attended the
patient with care till the arrival of the senior doctor.

4SCRIPT OF COMMUNICATION
References
DeVito, J. A., Clark, D., & Shimoni, R. (2016). Messages: Building interpersonal
communication skills. (5th edition), Toronto, Canada: Pearson.