NCLEX RN Practice Question

The correct answer is to use therapeutic communication to explore the client's feelings. Non-verbal cues such as withdrawal, avoidance of eye contact, and fidgeting often indicate emotional distress or anxiety. Therapeutic communication techniques, including open-ended questions or statements that encourage expression, help the client verbalize concerns. Touching the client without first assessing emotional status can heighten discomfort. Simply documenting the behavior without intervening misses the opportunity to relieve distress. Asking about pain is important, but the cues in this scenario are more suggestive of psychological stress than physical pain, so therapeutic communication is the priority.