Wanting to know more about the client’s pain experience, the nurse con

Wanting to know more about the client’s pain experience, the nurse continues to explore different questioning techniques. Which of the following is the best example of an open-ended question for this situation?

1. “Is your pain worse at night?”
2. “What brought you to the clinic?”
3. “How has the pain impacted your life?”
4. “You’re feeling down about having pain, aren’t you?”

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Closed questions can be answered with one or two words.
Rationale 2: A neutral question is open-ended and is used in nondirective interviews, which is what would be used if the nurse didn’t understand the reason for the client’s visit.
Rationale 3: An open-ended question would be beneficial to explore more about the client’s experience and should be asked with a “how” or “what.”
Rationale 4: A leading question is usually closed and directs the client’s answer (the nurse stating how the client is feeling, for example).