What type of questions should nurses ask to encourage parents to express feelings about their child's illness?

• A. Open-ended questions
• B. Yes/No questions
• C. Leading questions
• D. Closed questions

Answer: (A)

Open-ended questions draw out feelings and thoughts because they invite parents to share in their own words. They require more than a yes or no, giving you insight into their emotional state, concerns, coping strategies, and support needs. For example, asking what worries them most about their child’s illness or how they’re coping today encourages them to express emotions and develop trust with the nurse.

Yes/No questions restrict responses and can miss underlying feelings or needs. Leading questions steer toward a particular answer or judgment, which can bias the information you receive. Closed questions elicit brief, factual replies and don’t reveal emotional responses or coping strategies.

So, open-ended questions are the best choice for encouraging parents to voice their feelings and experiences, enabling better psychosocial support and care planning.