Questions: General principles for responding to sustain talk include all of the following EXCEPT: Recognize it, normalize it, and validate it. Don't push back. Use the confidence ruler to strengthen confidence to change. Don't reinforce it by directly opposing it, but rather roll and flow with it. Arguments are counterproductive and labeling is unnecessary.

The answer is: Use the confidence ruler to strengthen confidence to change.

This option is a general principle for responding to sustain talk. It involves acknowledging the person's feelings and thoughts without directly challenging them, which helps in maintaining a collaborative atmosphere.

This option is not typically associated with responding to sustain talk. The confidence ruler is a tool used to assess and enhance a person's confidence in their ability to change, rather than directly addressing sustain talk.

This is a recognized principle in dealing with sustain talk. Instead of confronting or opposing the sustain talk, the idea is to go along with it in a way that doesn't reinforce resistance.

This is a valid principle when responding to sustain talk. Engaging in arguments or labeling can increase resistance and is generally avoided in motivational interviewing techniques.