The nurse is collecting data for an admission nursing history. Which question by the nurse is best to open the discussion?

The nurse is collecting data for an admission nursing history. Which question by the nurse is best to open the discussion?

• A. Would you like to talk about why you are here?
• B. What brought you to the hospital?
• C. Would it help to discuss your feelings?
• D. Would you like to talk about your concerns?

Answer: (B)

Opening the admission interview with an open-ended, neutral question sets the stage for the patient to share their story in their own words. “What brought you to the hospital?” invites the patient to describe the presenting problem, its onset, symptoms, and context without assuming a diagnosis or guiding them toward a particular answer. This approach builds rapport, reduces anxiety, and yields rich baseline data that can guide focused follow-up questions. Other options are more directive or emotionally loaded early on: asking to talk about why they are here can feel accusatory or leading; focusing on feelings or concerns may steer the conversation toward emotions or vague topics before obtaining concrete data about the presenting illness.

Opening the admission interview with an open-ended, neutral question sets the stage for the patient to share their story in their own words. “What brought you to the hospital?” invites the patient to describe the presenting problem, its onset, symptoms, and context without assuming a diagnosis or guiding them toward a particular answer. This approach builds rapport, reduces anxiety, and yields rich baseline data that can guide focused follow-up questions.

Other options are more directive or emotionally loaded early on: asking to talk about why they are here can feel accusatory or leading; focusing on feelings or concerns may steer the conversation toward emotions or vague topics before obtaining concrete data about the presenting illness.