A nurse is taking an admission history from a client of a different cultural group than the nurse's own. During the interview, the client averts her eyes and refrains from answering questions for long periods of time. The nurse should:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Different cultures have different communication styles and norms, and avoiding eye contact and taking time to answer questions may be completely appropriate in some cultures. The nurse should respect these cultural differences and take cues from the client's behavior to adjust their communication style accordingly. Leaving the room or having another nurse take over the interview may disrupt the client's trust and further hinder effective communication. Waiting for a more communicative time may not be necessary if the nurse understands the client's cultural norms.

A Nurse Is Taking an Admission History from a Client