DISCHARGE

COMMUNICATION
Nurse – Patient Communication
COMMUNICATION AT PATIENT’S
DISCHARGE
• When discharging a patient from
the hospital, there are a number
of things that the nurse has to
communicate to the patient and
his or her family or caregivers.
• Can you think of the points that a
nurse has to discuss with the
patient and his/her caregiver?
INSTRUCTION POINTS
Symptom
Appointmen
Medication Self-care Managemen
t
t
Doctor Type
Diet Pain
Purpose
Purpose
Dose Wound Nausea
Date
Frequency
Short of
Time Activity
Condition breath
LANGUAGE EXPRESSIONS
Follow up appointment dates and time
No Appointments and Doctor Purpose Schedule Notes
Tests
1 Appointment
2 Blood test

• (Doctor) You need to see dr. (name)

• (Purpose) To change your wound and to get information of follow up treatment.
• (Day, date, Time) You need to see your doctor (name) on (day, and date) at (time).

For example:
You need to see dr. (name) to (purpose). Your next doctor appointment is on (day, and
date) at (time).
Medication teaching and schedule
• (name of drug) The medicine/drug is the antibiotic.
• (purpose) It is for preventing infection.
• (dose) Take one capsule
• (frequency) Take it three times a day
• (condition) Take it after meal.
Self-care (e.g. diet, wound care, activity)
• (Diet) Please limit consumption of liquid and glucose-contained food.
• (Wound care) You need to change your wound dressing at least once
a day.
• (Activity) Please limit your physical activities. Don’t carry heavy
burden. Watch your steps to avoid falling.
Symptom management (e.g. pain, nausea,
short of breath)
• (pain) If you feel pain in the area where the surgery was, please
consult the doctor. While waiting for the doctor’s appointment, you
can try the deep breathing technique.

• (nausea) When you feel like you want to vomit, relax, take a deep
breath, and drink warm water.

• (short of breath) Raise the position of the head with pillow or other
support. Then, practice the deep breathing technique.
Role Play
• Now, use the language expressions to form a role play.
• Don’t forget the conversation opening and ending strategies.
• Please also pay attention to the type of illness and link it with the
proper instructions. (Diabetes, wound care, stroke)

Preparation time (15 minutes):

1. Deciding the scenario (5 minutes)
2. Scripting the dialog (5 minutes)
3. Practicing the dialog (5 minutes)
Evaluate other group’s performance
Make comments on the following points:
Group: _____________________________________________________
Group members: ______________________________________________
Topic: _______________________________________________________

• Fluency (speech fluency): Excellent, very good, good, need improvement.

• Accuracy of information (appropriate links between all items): Accurate, not accurate
(suggestion?)
• Overall performance (gesture, facial expression, acting): Excellent, very good, good, need
improvement.
• Summary: The group performed a role play about ….

Evaluator: Name: ____________________________ NIM: _________________________

Summary

Appointment (doctor, test)

Medication teaching and schedule

Self care (diet, wound, activity)

Symptom management (pain, nausea, short of breath)