Question

The nurse who uses appropriate therapeutic listening skills will display which behaviors? Select all that apply.

A: Absorb both the content and the feeling the client is conveying.
B: Presume an understanding of the client needs.
C: Adopt an open professional posture.
D: React quickly to the message.
E: Reassure the client that everything will be fine.

Answer 1

When a nurse uses appropriate therapeutic listening skills, they would display the following behaviors:

A: Absorb both the content and the feeling the client is conveying.
C: Adopt an open professional posture.

These behaviors help the nurse create a supportive and empathetic environment for the client. It's important for the nurse to listen actively and understand the client's needs without presuming or reacting quickly to the message. Instead of reassuring the client that everything will be fine, the nurse focuses on understanding and validating their feelings.

Answer 2

The behaviors displayed by a nurse utilizing therapeutic listening skills include absorbing both content and feelings, adopting an open professional posture, and providing reassurance. Quick reactions and presumptions do not align with therapeutic listening principles.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse who uses appropriate therapeutic listening skills will display several key behaviors. These include:

• Absorbing both the content and the feeling the client is conveying, which involves listening to their emotions and ideas.
• Adopting an open professional posture, demonstrating presence and commitment through body language.
• Reassuring the client appropriately, which needs to be done with a deep understanding of their concerns and emotional state.

However, presuming an understanding of the client's needs or reacting quickly to the message without full comprehension are not considered therapeutic listening skills. Therapeutic listening is about being present, showing empathy, and providing an environment where the client feels truly heard and supported. This requires a careful balance of verbal and nonverbal communication skills, along with patience and attentiveness.

Effective communication is a critical component of therapeutic listening, which encompasses not only what the nurse says but also how they say it, including the use of specific terms or jargon, clear enunciation, and respectful language. An important aspect of therapeutic listening is also knowing when to actively participate by asking clarifying questions and when to simply be a receptive audience to the client's narrative.