Sit beside the client in silence with occasional open-ended questions.
Clients who are withdrawn may be immobile and mute and may require consistent, repeated approaches. Communication with withdrawn clients requires much patience from the nurse. Interventions include the establishment of interpersonal contact. The nurse facilitates communication with the client by sitting in silence, asking open-ended questions, and pausing to provide opportunities for the client to respond.
Test-Taking Strategy: Eliminate option 2 because the client would not be left alone. Option 4 relies on other clients to care for this client, which is an inappropriate expectation. Asking direct questions of this client is not therapeutic. Option 3 provides for client supervision and communication as appropriate. Review care of the client with catatonic stupor if this question was difficult.