A nurse manager is instructing a newly licensed nurse in ways to improve their active listening skills. Which of the following behaviors should the nurse manager recommend?

A. "Allow the client's family to attend all group therapies with the client." While family involvement can be beneficial, a client’s autonomy and confidentiality must be respected. Some clients may not feel comfortable sharing in the presence of family members.

B. "Listen attentively to a client and summarize their comments." Active listening and summarization demonstrate empathy and understanding, reinforcing the therapeutic relationship. This technique also helps ensure that the nurse accurately understands the client's concerns.

C. "Asking questions easily answered with one-word responses is important with mental health clients." Closed-ended questions limit the client’s ability to express emotions and thoughts, which can hinder the therapeutic process. Open-ended questions encourage meaningful discussion.

D. "Avoid asking clients direct questions regarding suicidal behaviors or thoughts." It is essential to directly ask about suicidal thoughts in a nonjudgmental manner. Avoiding these questions can lead to missed warning signs and inadequate intervention.

A. The client must be calm and cooperative. Restraints should be removed as soon as the client is calm and no longer poses a threat to themselves or others. Continued use without justification can be considered unethical and unlawful.

B. The client must verbalize remorse for their behavior. Remorse is not a requirement for restraint removal. Some clients may lack insight into their actions due to mental illness or cognitive impairment. The focus should be on safety, not forced expressions of regret.

C. The client only verbalizes anger toward the staff. Expressing anger alone is not a justification for continued restraint. As long as the client is not aggressive or violent, they should not remain restrained.

D. The provider who prescribed the restraints must be present to assess the client before the restraints can be removed. Nurses can remove restraints without the provider physically present if the client meets the criteria for release. However, they must document the assessment and notify the provider.