RN Exam Practice
Psychosocial IntegrityQuestion 823 of 2368

During motivational interviewing, a client looks at their phone and says the nurse does not understand. Which response by the nurse is best?

  1. Explain why the client is wrong about the behavior
  2. Give the client direct advice on what to do
  3. Acknowledge and validate the client feelings without arguing
  4. End the session until the client is more cooperative
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Correct answer: Acknowledge and validate the client feelings without arguing

Motivational interviewing adjusts to resistance and does not argue. Arguing puts the client on the defensive.

Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), Healthy Lifestyle: Motivational Interviewing. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Psychosocial Integrity"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026