Question

During a client's initial interview in a mental health inpatient setting, the nurse identifies that the client is maintaining eye contact and leaning forward. Which of the following assumptions should the nurse make based on the client's nonverbal behaviors?

A) The client is feeling relaxed and carefree
B) The client is anxious and eager to leave
C) The client is disinterested and bored
D) The client is attentive and engaged in the conversation

Answer 1

The nurse should interpret the client's nonverbal behaviors of maintaining eye contact and leaning forward as being attentive and engaged in the conversation.

Step-by-step explanation:

When interpreting a client's nonverbal behaviors during an interview in a mental health setting, it is important to consider various cues such as eye contact and body positioning. In the scenario where the client is maintaining eye contact and leaning forward, the nurse should make the assumption that the client is attentive and engaged in the conversation. This is because direct eye contact generally indicates engagement and alertness, while leaning forward can be seen as a sign of interest and active participation in the interaction.

Answer 2

Based on the client maintaining eye contact and leaning forward, the nurse should assume the client is attentive and engaged in the conversation, as these nonverbal cues typically indicate an interest and active participation in the interaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

During a client's initial interview in a mental health inpatient setting, the nurse identifies that the client is maintaining eye contact and leaning forward. Interpreting nonverbal cues is integral in assessing a patient's engagement and interest level. The act of maintaining eye contact generally suggests that an individual is attentive and involved in the interaction. Similarly, body positioning, such as leaning forward, may indicate interest and active participation. Therefore, the likely assumption to make about the client based on these behaviors is that the client is attentive and engaged in the conversation. This aligns with the understanding that direct eye contact reflects engagement and alertness, while certain body postures convey an individual's attitude and emotional state during an interaction.