Active Listening: Connecting with Others

A communication technique where the listener gives the speaker her full attention in order to understand, respond, and remember what was said is called?

A. Active listening

B. Listening

C. Reflective listening

D. Nonverbal communication

A. Active Listening

Rationale:Active listening is a communication technique where the listener gives the speaker her full attention in order to understand, respond and remember what was said. Listening is the passive process of hearing someone speak. Active listening is a communication technique where the listener gives the speaker her full attention in order to understand, respond and remember what was said. Reflective listening is a communication technique where the listener repeats back what the speaker says to verify understanding. Nonverbal communication encompasses the non spoken elements of communication, including body language and facial expressions.

How does active listening result in better patient care?

A. Active listening causes patients to be more compliant with their treatments.

B. Active listening demonstrates respect.

C. Health care professionals with good listening skills are able to uncover valuable information that can be used to provide better care.

D. Patients value providers who are good listeners.

C. Health care professionals with good listening skills are able to uncover valuable information that can be used to provide better care.

Rationale:While active listening does demonstrate respect, and can foster a good provider-patient relationship, the benefit of active listening is in the valuable information that can be uncovered. Health care professionals with good listening skills are able to uncover valuable information that can be used to provide better care. While patients do value providers who are good listeners, the benefit of active listening is in the valuable information that can be uncovered.

What type of question promotes more complete answers?

A. Closed-ended

B. Open-ended

C. Reflective

D. Leading

B. Open-ended

Rationale:Open-ended questions prompt the most complete answers; they encourage the patient to explain something fully. Closed-ended questions elicit short answers. This type of question is useful when you need a concise, concrete result. Open-ended questions prompt the most complete answers. Reflective questions confirm or clarify something the speaker has already said. Open-ended questions prompt the most complete answers. Leading questions direct the speaker to answer in a specific way. Open-ended questions prompt the most complete answers.

Which of these people is displaying the most attentive body language?

A. Lia flips through the medical record and takes notes while the Mrs. Rush explains her medical history.

B. John makes eye contact with Mr. Smith frequently as he types at his workstation and nods at one of his comments to show he is paying attention.

C. Elaine puts her papers down and sits down across from Mr. Klein, hands in her lap, and makes eye contact with him while he explains his situation.

D. Thomas listens to Ms. Brown while he works at making her comfortable, occasionally smiling or glancing her way.

C. Elaine puts her papers down and sits down across from Mr. Klein, hands in her lap, and makes eye contact with him while he explains his situation.

Rationale: Elaine is displaying the most attentive body language. She has put away her papers and given Mr. Klein her complete attention. Lia isn’t as attentive as Elaine. Lia is trying to read and listen at the same time and isn’t giving Mrs. Rush her full attention. John isn’t as attentive as Elaine, but he is giving the patient his attention as he takes notes. Thomas is more focused on his task of making Ms. Brown comfortable than he is on listening to her. Elaine the person displaying the most attentive body language.

Keri is listening to Mrs. Ellison. They have found a quiet place for their conversation and Keri leans toward Mrs. Ellison and makes eye contact as they talk. By doing this, Keri is performing which part of active listening?

A. Giving her full attention

B. Encouraging Mrs. Ellison to elaborate on her statement

C. Communicating her understanding

D. Waiting for Mrs. Ellison to stop talking so she can speak

A. Giving her full attention

Rationale: Keri is giving Mrs. Ellison her full attention, as shown by her eye contact and body language. Keri is giving Mrs. Ellison her full attention, as shown by her eye contact and body language. Her next step might be to encourage Mrs. Ellison to elaborate on her statement. Keri is giving Mrs. Ellison her full attention, as shown by her eye contact and body language. When Mrs. Ellison stops speaking, Keri would paraphrase Mrs. Ellison’s words to communicate her understanding. Although Keri will not interrupt Mrs. Ellison while she’s speaking, she is not just waiting for her turn to speak. Instead, Keri is giving Mrs. Ellison her full attention, as shown by her eye contact and body language.