Question

1. lets explore your personal space. have two group members stand and face each other. how close can the other person get while you still feel comfortable? measure the distance (toe - to - toe) at which you are comfortable, with anything closer entering your “personal space.” does everyone in your group need the same amount of personal space? would your personal space needs change when talking to a teacher? a stranger? a child? an elderly resident you are caring for in a nursing home?
2. when is the use of touch appropriate in a health care setting?
3. when is the use of touch not appropriate in a health care setting?
4. it’s time to practice using tone of voice. consider the sentence – “i’m ready to go home now.” have each person in your group say the same sentence, but with a different meaning by adding one of the following emotions (or make up one of your own):

happy
sad
impatient
angry
questioning (you really don’t want to go home)
resigned (you are ready to give up)
other

1. young people today use the following forms of communication: face - to - face, telephone, computers (e - mail, myspace, blogs, etc.) and text messaging. based on what you have learned about non - verbal communication, would you say that technology has improved communication, negatively impacted communication, or both?
2. if you wrote “ten rules for teens” related to the development of effective communication skills, what rules would you recommend?

Explanation:

1. Personal space varies among individuals and depends on the relationship with the other person. Cultural and personal factors play a role.
2. Appropriate touch in healthcare can include comforting a patient during a procedure, holding a hand for reassurance, or a gentle pat on the back for support.
3. Inappropriate touch in healthcare includes any non - consensual touch, touch that makes the patient uncomfortable, or touch that is sexual in nature.
4. Tone of voice can completely change the meaning of a sentence. For example, a happy tone would be upbeat and enthusiastic when saying "I'm ready to go home now", while a sad tone would be more subdued and with a hint of melancholy.
5. Technology has both improved and negatively impacted communication. It has made it easier to connect with people across long distances (improvement), but can also lead to misunderstandings due to lack of non - verbal cues (negative impact).
6. Rules for teens to develop effective communication skills could include listening actively, maintaining eye contact, being respectful of others' opinions, using appropriate language, and being aware of non - verbal cues.

Answer:

1. Personal space needs vary by individual and relationship.
2. Comforting during procedures, reassuring touches are appropriate.
3. Non - consensual, uncomfortable, or sexual touch is inappropriate.
4. Different tones give different meanings to the sentence.
5. Technology has both improved and negatively impacted communication.
6. Listen actively, maintain eye contact, be respectful, use appropriate language, be aware of non - verbal cues.