Final answer:
A nursing assistant should use simple, non-medical terms when speaking with residents and their families to ensure clear and respectful communication. Preferred language should be used to honor individuals' experiences and promote respect.
Step-by-step explanation:
When speaking with residents and their families, a nursing assistant should use simple, non-medical terms. This approach ensures that communication is clear and that complex medical terms do not confuse or intimidate the family members. Being able to communicate effectively involves enunciating clearly and using respectful language, as well as avoiding specific terms or jargon that may not be understood by those without a medical background.
In any form of healthcare communication, it is important to use preferred language of the individual with the lived experience. This could mean adapting to first-person or identity-first language, depending on what is most respectful and comfortable for the individual. In community settings and within the disability field, the American Psychological Association recommends using language that promotes solidarity and respect to honor individuals as human beings.