When observing a patient's verbal and nonverbal communication, the nurse notices a discrepancy. What action should the nurse take in this situation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When nonverbal and verbal messages are congruent, the verbal message is reinforced. When they are incongruent, as in this case, the nonverbal message tends to be the true one because it is under less conscious control. The other statements are not true. When nonverbal and verbal messages are incongruent, as in this case, the nonverbal message tends to be the true one because it is under less conscious control. Thus, asking someone who knows the patient well to help interpret this discrepancy; focusing on the patient's verbal message, and trying to ignore the nonverbal behaviors; and trying to integrate the verbal and nonverbal messages and then interpret them as an average are inappropriate.

When Observing a Patient's Verbal and Nonverbal Communication, the Nurse