HESI (Health and Environmental Sciences Institute) Health Assessment Practice Test

When a nurse asks, "You mentioned shortness of breath. Tell me more about that," which verbal skill is being demonstrated?

1. Reflection

2. Facilitation

3. Direct question

4. Open-ended question

The correct answer is: Open-ended question

The verbal skill being demonstrated in this scenario is an open-ended question. Open-ended questions invite the patient to share more information freely and expansively, rather than limiting their response to a simple yes or no. By saying, "You mentioned shortness of breath. Tell me more about that," the nurse encourages the patient to elaborate on their experience, providing insights into their symptoms, feelings, and potentially the context surrounding their shortness of breath. This approach not only helps in gathering more detailed information but also fosters a therapeutic relationship, as the patient feels that their concerns are being taken seriously and that they have the opportunity to speak more about their health. In contrast, reflection would involve mirroring back what the patient has said to encourage deeper exploration, while facilitation would involve using cues to encourage the patient to continue talking without necessarily asking them to elaborate in detail. A direct question typically seeks a specific piece of information, such as "Are you experiencing shortness of breath?" which does not invite the same depth of response as open-ended questions do.