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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 May 1.
Published in final edited form as: Res Gerontol Nurs. 2014 Feb 5;7(3):113–125. doi: 10.3928/19404921-20140127-02

Table 2.

Interaction Behaviors (n=29)

Positive Nurse Behaviors (n=14): behaviors that communicate interpersonal support and encouragement
Sharing Offers the patient an item to support their wellbeing (other than prescribed medications or treatments)
Praising Verbal comments indicating approval, recognition or praise
Visual Contact Looks the patient in the eyes for as long as the nurse is at the bedside
Proximity with Speech Stands at least arm’s length from the patient and provides spoken information
Physical Contact Touches, pats or hugs the patient.
Social Politeness Uses terms including “please”, “thank you”, and greets the patient by name.
Preparatory Information Information given before a procedure.
Expanded Preparatory Information Information given before a procedure, includes expanded explanation
Preparatory Information (Brief Delay) Information given before a procedure but the procedure start is >10 seconds after the information is given
Expanded Preparatory Information (Brief Delay) Information given before a procedure that includes expanded explanation but the start of the procedure is > 10 seconds after the information is given.
Smiling Lifting lip scorners while looking the patient in the eyes
Modeling Body changes or movements accompanied by the corresponding descriptive verbalization, reproduced by the patient
Laughing Lifting the lips corners or congruently opening the mouth while emitting the characteristic voiced laughter sound
Augmenting Augments patient’s auditory comprehension by writing, gesturing, showing object,
Negative Nurse Behaviors (n=3): behaviors by the nurse that inhibit the interpersonal relationship
Disapproving Verbalizations implicating disagreement, negation, disgust or criticism
Yelling Loud verbalizations containing comments, threats, criticism or disapproval
Ignoring the Patient After a request by the patient, the nurse does not answer or perform the requested action within five seconds in a congruent manner
Positive Patient Behaviors (n=9): behaviors that communicate interpersonal engagement, responsiveness and interdependence in the care recipient role
Acceptance Head, eyes or hand movement expressing agreement, acceptance or satisfaction.
Following Instructions Engaging in a behavior in response to an request or instruction by the nurse
Visual Contact Looks the nurse in the eye when the nurse asks a questions/addresses patient
Physical Contact Touches, pats or hugs the nurse.
Request Verbal, digital or manual indications to express a need or request
Smiling Lifting lips corners while looking the patient in the eyes
Maintaining Attention Keeps eye contact while nurse provides an explanation, information, instruction
Laughing Lifting the lips corners or congruently opening the mouth.
Praising Clearly distinguishable gesture or message expressing gratefulness or approval
Negative Patient Behaviors (n=3): behaviors that are expressions of disapproval or withdrawal from the interpersonal care relationship
Disagreement Actions expressing opposition to nurse’s actions
Disgust Gestures or facial expressions indicating disgust, annoyance, or frustration.
Ignoring the nurse After a request, the patient does not answer or respond within 5 seconds in a congruent manner