2019 ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam Related

Review 2019 ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam related questions and content

A client on a psychiatric unit is telling the nurse about anger toward the airline after losing an only child in a plane crash. In which situation is the nurse demonstrating active listening?

  • A. Agreeing with the client.
  • B. Repeating everything that the client says to clarify.
  • C. Assuming a relaxed posture and leaning toward the client.
  • D. Expressing sorrow and sadness regarding the client's loss.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because assuming a relaxed posture and leaning toward the client demonstrates active listening by showing empathy and interest in what the client is saying. This nonverbal behavior encourages the client to continue expressing their feelings.

A: Agreeing with the client can shut down communication and invalidate the client's emotions.
B: Repeating everything the client says may come across as robotic and not conducive to building rapport.
D: Expressing sorrow and sadness, while empathetic, may shift the focus from the client to the nurse's emotions.

In summary, actively listening involves nonverbal cues that show understanding and support without interjecting personal opinions or emotions.