What is communication?

• A. A one-way process where the sender transmits a message with no feedback.
• B. A method of recording information only.
• C. A process that involves only the sender and not the receiver.
• D. A two-way process between the sender and receiver of a message.

Answer: (D)

Communication is a two-way process where the sender and the receiver actively participate in exchanging meaning. The sender encodes a message and transmits it, the receiver decodes and interprets it, and feedback from the receiver lets the sender know whether the message was understood or if clarification is needed. This back-and-forth loop creates shared understanding and helps catch and correct miscommunications, which is crucial in high-stakes settings like surgical teams. That’s why describing communication as a two-way process between sender and receiver best captures how real communication works, including the essential role of feedback. The other options miss this back-and-forth element or reduce communication to one-way transmission or mere record-keeping, which doesn’t account for how understanding is achieved or confirmed.