A client of the Islamic faith refuses to eat a hot dog on his tray because he is afraid that it may contain pork products. Which of the following is the best response by the Practical Nurse (PN)?

Choice A reason: “I can see you are worried.” is a therapeutic response by the PN to the family at this time. This response shows empathy, which is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It also acknowledges and validates the family’s emotions, and invites them to express their concerns or fears. Therefore, this choice is correct.

Choice B reason: “Don’t worry, you have nothing to feel guilty about.” is not a therapeutic response by the PN to the family at this time. This response shows false reassurance, which is a communication technique that involves minimizing or dismissing the other person’s feelings or situation. It also implies that the family should feel guilty, and denies them the opportunity to explore their feelings or thoughts. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice C reason: “Everything possible is being done.” is not a therapeutic response by the PN to the family at this time. This response shows cliché, which is a communication technique that involves using overused or trite expressions that lack meaning or sincerity. It also avoids addressing the family’s emotions or needs, and may sound vague or insincere. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice D reason: “Let me check if you can see your loved one.” is not a therapeutic response by the PN to the family at this time. This response shows changing the subject, which is a communication technique that involves shifting the focus away from the other person’s feelings or situation. It also ignores or postpones the family’s emotional needs, and may make them feel unimportant or dismissed. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice A reason: Counteract shyness in the client is not the major effect of maintaining eye contact for 2 to 6 seconds during communication. Eye contact is a nonverbal cue that involves looking at the other person’s eyes or face while communicating. It can have different meanings and effects depending on the culture, context, and relationship of the communicators. Maintaining eye contact for 2 to 6 seconds can help to establish rapport, show interest, or convey sincerity, but it may not necessarily counteract shyness in the client. In fact, some clients may feel uncomfortable, intimidated, or threatened by too much eye contact, especially if they are shy, anxious, or from a different cultural background. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice B reason: Keep the Practical Nurse’s atention on the conversation is not the major effect of maintaining eye contact for 2 to 6 seconds during communication. Eye contact is a nonverbal cue that involves looking at the other person’s eyes or face while communicating. It can have different meanings and effects depending on the culture, context, and relationship of the communicators. Maintaining eye contact for 2 to 6 seconds can help to keep the

Practical Nurse’s atention on the conversation, but it is not the main purpose or outcome of doing so. The main purpose or outcome of maintaining eye contact is to communicate with the other person effectively and respectfully, not to focus on oneself or one’s own behavior. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice C reason: Assess if the client is involved in the conversation is not the major effect of maintaining eye contact for 2 to 6 seconds during communication. Eye contact is a nonverbal cue that involves looking at the other person’s eyes or face while communicating. It can have different meanings and effects depending on the culture, context, and relationship of the communicators. Maintaining eye contact for 2 to 6 seconds can help to assess if the client is involved in the conversation, but it is not the only or most reliable way of doing so. The Practical Nurse should also pay atention to other verbal and nonverbal cues from the client, such as their tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, or feedback. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice D reason: Indicate continuous focused atention is the major effect of maintaining eye contact for 2 to 6 seconds during communication. Eye contact is a nonverbal cue that involves looking at the other person’s eyes or face while communicating. It can have different meanings and effects depending on the culture, context, and relationship of the communicators. Maintaining eye contact for 2 to 6 seconds can indicate continuous focused atention, which means that the Practical Nurse is listening actively, understanding empathetically, and responding appropriately to the client’s message. It can also show respect, interest, or sincerity to the client, and enhance rapport and trust between them. Therefore, this choice is correct.