What SOLER stands for
SOLER is a memory aid for nonverbal attending, the set of body behaviors that tell a client the nurse is fully present and listening. Each letter names one behavior: Sit squarely facing the client, Open posture, Lean slightly forward, Eye contact that is culturally appropriate, and Relaxed. The "O" therefore stands for open posture: arms and legs uncrossed, hands resting loosely, and the body turned toward the client rather than closed off. An open posture signals that the nurse is receptive to whatever the client wants to share.
Why nonverbal attending matters
Much of the meaning in any conversation is carried by tone, facial expression, and posture rather than by words. Clients on a psychiatric ward, especially those who are anxious, suspicious, or depressed, are highly sensitive to these cues. Crossed arms, a body angled toward the door, or a tense, rigid stance can be read as rejection, impatience, or judgment, even when the nurse's words are kind. Open posture, together with the other SOLER behaviors, builds the sense of safety and acceptance that a therapeutic relationship depends on. Attending comes before any verbal technique: a client who does not feel listened to will not respond to well-phrased questions.
| Letter | Behavior | Message to the client |
|---|
| S | Sit squarely facing the client | I am here with you |
| O | Open posture (arms and legs uncrossed) | I am receptive to what you say |
| L | Lean slightly forward | I am interested and involved |
| E | Eye contact, culturally appropriate | I am paying attention |
| R | Relaxed | I am comfortable with you and your concerns |
Why the other options do not fit
Each distractor is a real nursing concept, which is what makes it tempting. Observation is a core assessment skill used throughout the interview, but it is not one of the SOLER behaviors. Offering self is a verbal therapeutic technique, such as saying "I'll stay with you for a while," that makes the nurse available without conditions; it belongs to the list of therapeutic communication techniques, not to the nonverbal attending guide. Reality orientation is an approach used for clients who are confused or disoriented, such as those with delirium or a neurocognitive disorder, and it is also unrelated to the letters of SOLER.
Applying SOLER with care
SOLER is a guide, not a rigid script. Watch out! Eye contact and closeness must be adjusted to the client's culture and condition. For a client who is paranoid or easily threatened, direct facing and leaning in may feel intrusive, so the nurse may sit at a slight angle and keep a comfortable distance. Relaxed posture also means the nurse manages personal anxiety so that it is not transmitted to the client. When supervising students, the nurse can ask them to check their own posture during process recordings, because students often fold their arms or turn away without noticing when a conversation becomes uncomfortable.
Exam takeaway
Key point! In SOLER, O = Open posture. When an option names a verbal technique (offering self) or an assessment activity (observing), it is outside the nonverbal attending guide. Remember the five behaviors as one picture: a relaxed nurse sitting squarely, leaning slightly forward, with an open posture and appropriate eye contact.