Communication & CultureQuestion 37 of 200

Which of the following is an example of active listening?

a.Watching the clock and charting while the resident is still speaking
b.Offering advice as soon as the resident pauses for breath, so that the conversation reaches a solution more quickly
c.Finishing the resident's sentences so the conversation moves along faster
d.Maintaining eye contact, nodding, paraphrasing what was said, and asking open-ended follow-up questions

Explanation

Active listening uses verbal and nonverbal techniques—eye contact, nodding, paraphrasing ('It sounds like...'), and open-ended follow-up ('Tell me more')—to convey understanding and elicit further information. Interrupting (b), distraction (a), and finishing sentences (c) shut down communication and signal disregard. Active listening builds trust and helps surface clinically important information the resident might otherwise withhold.

Law Reference: Therapeutic communication; active listening

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