Which of the following actions should a medical assistant take to build rapport with a patient when obtaining and documenting information during an office visit?

While nonverbal communication can be effective, simply directing a patient to the scale without verbal interaction may come across as impersonal. Building rapport requires active engagement and communication rather than solely relying on gestures, which may leave the patient feeling neglected or uncomfortable.

Although understanding the reason for the visit is important, starting the conversation with a direct question about the patient's appointment may feel abrupt. A friendly greeting first allows the patient to feel acknowledged and more at ease before delving into specific inquiries about their health concerns.

Focusing on the computer screen during patient interactions can create a barrier to effective communication. It may give the impression that the medical assistant is more interested in the technology than in the patient, hindering the rapport-building process and making the patient feel less important.