Home Health Aide Practice Exam

Which of the following would be the best way for an HHA to show a client that she is listening?

1. Looking at her phone while the client speaks

2. Interrupting the client to give advice

3. Focusing on the client and providing feedback

4. Writing down everything the client says

The correct answer is: Focusing on the client and providing feedback

Focusing on the client and providing feedback is the best way for a Home Health Aide (HHA) to demonstrate active listening. This approach allows the HHA to fully engage with the client, showing that their thoughts and feelings are valued. By maintaining eye contact, nodding, and giving verbal affirmations, the HHA can create a supportive environment that encourages open communication. Additionally, offering appropriate feedback helps clarify any misunderstandings and ensures that the client's concerns are acknowledged and addressed, further deepening the trust and rapport between the HHA and the client. Other options do not effectively convey listening. Looking at a phone suggests distraction and disinterest, while interrupting the client breaks the flow of their thoughts and can be seen as dismissive. Writing everything down might seem helpful, but it can also lead to the client feeling that their verbal communication is merely being documented rather than genuinely engaged with. Hence, focusing on the client and providing appropriate feedback is the most effective and respectful way to show that the HHA is listening.