NCLEX RN Practice Question

The correct answer is to acknowledge and address the non-verbal cues through therapeutic communication. Behaviors such as avoiding eye contact, wringing hands, and sighing deeply may indicate emotional distress, such as anxiety or fear. Using an open-ended question like 'You seem upset. Would you like to talk about how you're feeling?' gives the client an opportunity to express their emotions, helping the nurse better understand the client's needs. Offering printed educational materials or prematurely providing reassurance without first exploring their emotions may invalidate the client's feelings. Similarly, attempting to explore feelings while overly focusing on providing reassurance about the medical team does not directly address the observable signs of distress.