The practical/vocational nursing student is assigned the task of helping a new mother and father learn to bathe their newborn. The instructor asks the student how the session went, and the student replies, "The mother seemed to understand everything. She smiled and nodded at everything I told her. The father watched and didn't ask any questions." The instructor comments, "Without validation, you can't be sure." Which statements contributed to the instructor's knowledge on which to base the comment to the student? (Select all that apply.)

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The facts that women nod to show they are listening, men ask fewer questions than women, and women smile to establish rapport serve as a basis for the instructor mentioning the need for validation of patient understanding. None of these actions proves that the new parents understood what the nursing student was teaching. Nonverbal communication is not a good indicator of understanding and may belie what is actually occurring.

The Practical/vocational Nursing Student Is Assigned the Task of Helping