Author Question: While talking with a patient diagnosed with major depression, a nurse notices the patient is unable ... (Read 59 times)

leilurhhh · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

While talking with a patient diagnosed with major depression, a nurse notices the patient is unable to maintain eye contact. The patient's chin lowers to the chest, while the patient looks at the floor.

Which aspect of communication has the nurse assessed?

a. Nonverbal communication
b. A message filter
c. A cultural barrier
d. Social skills

Question 2

Documentation in a patient's chart shows, Throughout a 5-minute interaction, patient fidgeted and tapped left foot, periodically covered face with hands, and looked under chair while stating, I enjoy spending time with you.'

Which analysis is most accurate?

a. The patient is giving positive feedback about the nurse's communication techniques.
b. The nurse is viewing the patient's behavior through a cultural filter.
c. The patient's verbal and nonverbal messages are incongruent.
d. The patient is demonstrating psychotic behaviors.

Fayaz00962 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Eye contact and body movements are considered nonverbal communication. There are insufficient data to determine the level of the patient's social skills or whether a cultural barrier exists.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
When a verbal message is not reinforced with nonverbal behavior, the message is confusing and incongruent. Some clinicians call it a mixed message. It is inaccurate to say that the patient is giving positive feedback about the nurse's communication techniques. The concept of a cultural filter is not relevant to the situation because a cultural filter determines what we will pay attention to and what we will ignore. Data are insufficient to draw the conclusion that the patient is demonstrating psychotic behaviors.