Question

A nursing assistant wants to communicate to a patient that he is listening attentively. What types of nonverbal communication can he use to communicate attention?

Answer 1

A nursing assistant can convey attentiveness through nonverbal communication by maintaining eye contact, adopting an open body posture, using appropriate facial expressions, nodding and using other head gestures, avoiding distractions, and employing gentle touch if appropriate. These actions help establish rapport and indicate that the assistant is listening actively.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nursing assistant can use various forms of nonverbal communication to demonstrate attentiveness to a patient. Some key techniques include:

• Maintaining eye contact to show engagement.
• Adopting an open and inviting body posture.
• Using appropriate facial expressions to mirror the patient's emotions.
• Nodding and other head gestures to indicate understanding.
• Refraining from distracting behaviors such as fidgeting or looking at the clock.
• Touching the patient gently, if appropriate, to convey empathy.

Applying these nonverbal cues thoughtfully can build rapport and make the patient feel heard and cared for. Additionally, active listening skills such as paraphrasing and asking clarifying questions can reinforce that the nursing assistant is fully present in the conversation.