1. Chapter 9 The Patient-Safe Communication Strategy of Humor

2. Encourage Emotional Release Using Patient-Safe Humor
Reduces stress levels if used effectively
Something (verbal or nonverbal) that is amusing and results in smiling or laughter
Joke, kid, clown, mimic
Laugh at imperfections in ourselves and laugh WITH others about the imperfect nature of situations

3. Physiological Effects of Laughter and Humor
Arousal Phase
Catecholamines (adrenaline) released , increasing blood pressure, respirations, heart rate, and muscle contractions
Stimulates immune system
Laugh till cry—tears contain steroids and toxins produced under stress
Can reduce the perception of pain
Relaxation Phase
Automatic muscular tensions are released
Drop in blood pressure and heart rate below the pre-laughter levels
Feels good to laugh

4. Nontherapeutic Humor Malicious teasing or putdowns
Do not use if patient is very ill or distraught
What is funny to one person can be insulting to another (know background of the person)

5. How patients use humor Emotional situations Embarrassing situations
Unpleasant situations
“Hopeless” situations
Avoidance tactic

6. How nurses use humor
Make contact with patients and establish and maintain nurse-patient relationships
Emotional stability (put a distance between self and pain and suffering)
Patient education

7. Now you’ve blown it…. Patient is offended by your attempt at humor
“I’m sorry; this is a serious situation, and I shouldn’t have been joking. I joke to release my own tensions.”