Question

The nurse is confused during the health interview of a 45 year old woman who keeps her arms crossed. The nurse's best course of action would be to:

A) start the interview over because the nurse has probably offended the patient.
B) ask the patient if anything is making her uncomfortable.
C) be firm with the patient and let her know that this will be easier if she just relaxes.
D) ignore the non-verbal communication and continue with the interview.

Answer 1

The nurse should ask the patient if anything is making her uncomfortable to address the non-verbal cue of crossed arms, thereby establishing a better rapport and facilitating communication.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best course of action for a nurse who is confused by a 45-year-old woman who keeps her arms crossed during a health interview is to ask the patient if anything is making her uncomfortable. Body language is an important aspect of communication, and crossed arms may indicate discomfort, defensiveness, or uncertainty. By addressing potential discomfort directly and with empathy, the nurse can establish a better rapport with the patient, potentially leading to a more open and effective interview. It's important to acknowledge non-verbal communication as it can provide clues about a patient's emotional state and readiness to communicate.