Question

A client continually waits more than an hour before being seen at the mental health clinic. The client approaches the nurse and states, "When I have to wait for more than an hour to be seen, I feel like my time is not important." The nurse recognizes this as what type of behavior?

1) Aggressive behavior
2) Assertive behavior
3) Passive-aggressive behavior
4) Passive behavior

Answer 1

Assertive behavior is when an individual communicates their needs, wants, and feelings in a direct and respectful manner, without being aggressive or passive.

Step-by-step explanation:

The behavior described by the client is assertive behavior. Assertive behavior is when an individual communicates their needs, wants, and feelings in a direct and respectful manner, without being aggressive or passive. In this case, the client approaches the nurse and expresses their concerns about waiting for over an hour to be seen, indicating that they value their time and expect to be treated with respect.

Answer 2

In this scenario, the client indirectly expresses dissatisfaction, characteristic of passive-aggressive behavior, by stating concerns about the extended waiting time. Recognizing and addressing passive-aggressive behavior is crucial for effective communication in a mental health setting. Thus the correct option is 3) Passive-aggressive behavior.

Step-by-step explanation:

Passive-aggressive behavior is characterized by indirect expression of hostility or resentment. In this scenario, the client is not directly confronting the issue but instead communicates dissatisfaction indirectly by stating, "When I have to wait for more than an hour to be seen, I feel like my time is not important." The client is expressing their frustration in a subtle and non-confrontational manner, typical of passive-aggressive behavior. This behavior involves avoiding direct confrontation while still conveying negative feelings.

Passive-aggressive behavior often arises from an underlying fear of confrontation or a desire to avoid open conflict. In this case, the client may be hesitant to express their dissatisfaction more assertively or directly, choosing instead to communicate indirectly through passive-aggressive statements. Recognizing passive-aggressive behavior is crucial for healthcare professionals to address underlying concerns and improve the therapeutic relationship with the client.

In a mental health clinic, it's essential for the nurse to explore the client's feelings further, encouraging open communication about their concerns and experiences. By addressing the underlying issues contributing to passive-aggressive behavior, the nurse can work towards fostering a more transparent and supportive therapeutic relationship with the client.

Therefore, the correct option is 3) Passive-aggressive behavior