The nurse demonstrates active listening by?

AIIMS Bhatinda NO - 2019

Nursing Foundation

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Bhatinda NO - 2019

Explanation

Active listening involves being attentive to what a patient is saying both verbally and nonverbally.
Assuming a relaxed posture and leaning toward the client are key non-verbal behaviors that convey interest, attentiveness, and a willingness to listen.
This posture communicates respect and helps build trust, encouraging the client to share information more openly.
This technique is part of established models for therapeutic communication, such as the SURETY model (Sit, Uncross arms/legs, Relax, Eye contact, Touch, Your intuition).

Option A: Agreeing with the client is a non-therapeutic communication technique. It can be a barrier that discourages the client from further exploring their thoughts and feelings, as the goal is understanding, not necessarily concurrence.
Option B: Repeating everything the client says verbatim, or 'parroting,' is ineffective and can sound robotic. It does not demonstrate true understanding or active processing of the information.
Option D: Continuous, non-stop smiling and nodding can be misinterpreted as insincere, automatic, or dismissive. It does not reflect genuine engagement with the client's specific message and can be a barrier to honest communication.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Therapeutic Communication and Active Listening Techniques helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Active listening is the foundation of a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship. It is essential for accurate patient assessment, effective health teaching, and collaborative care planning.
Effective listening directly impacts patient safety by preventing misunderstandings regarding symptoms, medication adherence, and treatment plans.
What if? If a patient is expressing anger or distress, continuous smiling (Option D) would be highly inappropriate and could escalate the situation. The correct response is to maintain a neutral, open posture (Option C) and use a calm tone to acknowledge their feelings.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is 'active listening' in a nursing context.
Recall that active listening is a key part of therapeutic communication and involves both verbal and non-verbal skills to show genuine engagement.
Evaluate each option to determine if it represents a therapeutic or non-therapeutic action.
Analyze the non-verbal cues: Agreeing (A) can block communication. Repeating everything (B) is parroting, not listening. Continuous nodding (D) can seem insincere.
Recognize that a relaxed posture and leaning in (C) are well-established non-verbal cues that signal attentiveness and interest, making it the best demonstration of active listening.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QxulvdTdfxbq5UKw01RKPl

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor pp. 85-87, 84-86

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 121-123