An adult client responds to questions inappropriately. The nurse shoul

QUESTION

An adult client responds to questions inappropriately. The nurse should do which of the following?

a. Assume that the client is depressed and seek further information.
b. Ask other staff members whether the client is sick.
c. Leave the client alone for now and return to reassess.
d. Observe the client’s nonverbal behavior.

ANSWER:

ANS: D
When nonverbal cues are incongruent with the verbal information, messages are likely to be misinterpreted. When the verbal message is inconsistent with the nonverbal expression of the message, the nonverbal expressions assume prominence and are generally perceived as more trustworthy than the verbal content.