Which interview technique best encourages a patient to elaborate on their feelings during a mental health ass… - RRB Nsg. Superintendent-2026 (Shift -1st)

RRB Nsg. Superintendent-2026 (Shift -1st)

Mental Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-2026 (Shift -1st)

Explanation

Open-ended questions prompt patients to describe their situation in more than one or two words, giving them control over the conversation.
This technique allows patients to express their thoughts and feelings in their own words, providing rich, subjective data.
It strengthens the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship by demonstrating genuine interest and a desire to understand the patient's unique perspective.
Examples include questions like, "What can you tell me about this nervousness you mentioned?" or "What are your concerns about this?".

Option B: Closed-ended questions limit answers to specific details and do not encourage the patient to volunteer more information than requested.
Option C: Yes/no questions are the most restrictive type of questioning, completely preventing the elaboration of complex feelings by limiting the response to a binary choice.
Option D: Leading questions are non-therapeutic because they suggest a specific answer, which can bias the patient's response and prevent the nurse from getting accurate information.

Visual 1: Flowchart - A flowchart showing how to start an interview with broad, open-ended questions and then use closed-ended questions to clarify specific details.
Visual 2: Comparison Table - A table comparing open-ended, closed-ended, and leading questions with examples and use cases for each, similar to the one in the explanation.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Therapeutic communication techniques for mental health assessment to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Using open-ended questions is a foundational skill in psychiatric-mental health nursing to build trust (rapport) and gather comprehensive subjective data for an accurate assessment.
This technique empowers patients by giving them a sense of control in the interview, which is crucial for establishing a therapeutic alliance.
What if the patient is non-verbal or experiencing acute psychosis? The nurse would need to rely more on observation of non-verbal cues, and if communication is possible, use very simple, concrete, closed-ended questions.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core goal of the question: the technique must 'encourage' the patient to 'elaborate on their feelings'.
Next, analyze each option based on this goal. Ask yourself, 'Does this technique open up conversation or shut it down?'
Eliminate options that restrict the patient's response. Closed-ended and yes/no questions are designed to limit answers.
Eliminate options that are non-therapeutic or biased. Leading questions suggest an answer and are not patient-centered.
Conclude that the only technique designed to encourage detailed, personal sharing is open-ended questioning.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Therapeutic communication techniques for mental health assessment
Stem keywords: interview technique, encourages, elaborate, feelings, mental health assessment
Lead-in keywords: best
Clinical cues: The question's goal is to 'elaborate on feelings', which requires a technique that promotes detailed, subjective responses.

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