The barriers to effective communication include the following. Cultural barriers arising from differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. It is critical to be aware of nonverbal cues because what appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another. Semantic barriers are common among medical professionals as they tend to use jargon, abbreviations, or acronyms which confuse the patient. For example, the nurse may say, "take a purgative HS," instead of advising the patient in simpler terms to take a laxative at bedtime. Gender barriers develop due to differences in how different genders interact and are expected to communicate by society. Gender stereotypes or gender biases in which one gender is favored also obstruct communication. Time constraints become a barrier when nurses do not find enough time to communicate effectively. This can occur where there is an imbalance in the staff-patient ratio or during high-pressure situations such as emergencies.