Nurse Leader Rounding: How to Ask Open-Ended Questions
Expert communicators Emily Izzo and Bridgette Maitre share how to ask open-ended questions to encourage conversation and promote meaningful connection.
Emily Izzo and Bridgette Maitre
Oct. 10, 2022 2 min
urse Leader Rounding is a national best practice where inpatient nurse leaders dedicate time to connect daily with patients, caregivers, and teams at the point of care.
At U of U Health, we build connections one patient at a time and it all begins with a simple conversation. Asking open-ended questions—questions that can’t be answered with a simple yes or no—encourages conversation and promotes meaningful connection.
How to ask open-ended questions
Sometimes the best "questions" are not really questions at all. It can be helpful to use statements, such as, "Tell me how you're feeling right now," or "Talk to me about the surgery you had last week."
If you have questions that work for you, great—keep asking them. If not, below are a few examples of general and targeted questions.
| Opening questions | - What are your concerns?
- Tell me how you are feeling right now.
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| Consistency of care questions | - I see your RN and HCA are...have they been responsive to your needs?
- How was your night?
- Is there anything else you need?
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| Safety concerns | - Do you feel safe?
- Do you feel well-cared for?
- Are you getting the care you deserve?
- Is there anything you're worried about?
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| Pain management | - Do you feel like your pain level is ok? Manageable?
- Are you being kept comfortable?
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| Care plan | - Do you understand your plan of care?
- Talk to me about the procedure/test you had.
- Are you waiting for anything?
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| Communication | - Do you feel like you know what is going on?
- Do you have questions?
- What do you hope to get back to doing when you leave here?
|
Questions informed by contributors and Nurse Leader Rounding pilot leaders Shegi Thomas, Sonia Zafra, and Melissa Kanongataa.
The power of follow-up
Asking follow-up questions is another way to build rapport with your patient—it shows that you are listening and not just checking things off a list. When a patient tells you about a concern they have, ask for more information. A simple “Tell me more about that” or “That’s important. Can you tell me more?” not only conveys listening, but it also helps clarify concerns making resolving any problems easier.
Connecting with caregivers
It’s also important to follow-up with your patient’s family members and visitors if they are present. Ask them what questions or concerns they have about their loved one’s care. They might give you crucial information you otherwise wouldn't be able to collect from the patient.
Learning as a team
As you begin rounding, reach out to your team to learn what questions they’re asking. Together as leaders, you have a wealth of experience that can help customize your interaction to best suit the needs of your patients. Lean on your team to learn and grow your rounding practice.
Contributors
Emily Izzo
Project Administrator, Patient Experience and Accelerate, University of Utah Health
Bridgette Maitre
Strategic Communications Project Administrator, University of Utah Health
Related Content
Nurse Leader Rounding for Educators Breanna Brannan and Kim Mahoney | 2 minutes Nurse Leader Rounding fosters meaningful connection, deepens our understanding of our patients' experiences, and helps us improve as a system. Nursing and education champions Breanna Brannan and Kim Mahoney outline what the process looks like for Nursing Professional Development Practitioners (NPDPs) and offer tips for making connections with patients. What is Nurse Leader Rounding? Tracey Nixon and Mari Ransco | 4 minutes When we talk about being patient-centered, systems thinkers, and engaged experts, nurse leader rounding checks every box. It fosters meaningful connection, deepens our understanding of our patients' experiences, and by sharing what we learn, Nurse Leader Rounding can help us improve as a system. Initiative co-sponsors Tracey Nixon and Mari Ransco outline what’s to come for Nurse Leader Rounding at U of U Health. Shared Governance: Harnessing Our Collective Strengths Tracey Nixon | 3 minutes Shared governance is a decision-making model designed to empower the people who care for patients. Chief Nursing Officer Tracey Nixon explains what it is, how it impacts you, and what to expect in the coming months.
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FAQs
Open-ended questions begin with the following words: why, how, what, describe, tell me about..., or what do you think about... 3. Use open-ended questions as follow ups for other questions.
What are examples of open-ended questions in nursing? ›
Examples are: “How can I assist you today?” • “What are you most concerned about today?” • “Please tell me more about your pain.” • “Tell me about what your child has eaten and drank today.” • “What is your child doing right now?” Why Are Open-‐Ended Questions So Important?
What to ask when rounding on a patient? ›
Example questions
| Opening questions | What are your concerns? Tell me how you are feeling right now. |
|---|
| Safety concerns | Do you feel safe? Do you feel well-cared for? Are you getting the care you deserve? Is there anything you're worried about? |
4 more rowsOct 10, 2022
Open-ended questions are questions that cannot be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no', and instead require the respondent to elaborate on their points. Open-ended questions help you see things from a customer's perspective as you get feedback in their own words instead of stock answers.
What is the best way to analyze responses to open-ended questions? ›
How to analyze open-ended questions in 4 steps:
- Collect your data: use online survey tools.
- Structure your data: pre-process responses.
- Analyze your data: machine learning takes the pain out of data analysis.
- Visualize your results: data visualization tools help get the most from your data.
Here are some guidelines to help you design effective open-ended questions that elicit meaningful responses.
- Be Clear And Concise. ...
- Start With "How," "Why," Or "What." ...
- Be Neutral And Unbiased. ...
- Avoid Double-barreled Questions. ...
- Provide Context Or Examples. ...
- Encourage Elaboration. ...
- Test Your Questions. ...
- Be Flexible And Adaptive.
Clarifying questions are used to ensure that nurses have understood what patients have said. Examples of clarifying questions include "Can you explain that to me again?" and "Did I understand you correctly when you said...?"
Should a nurse ask open-ended questions? ›
Open-ended questions, which allow patients to discuss their concerns freely, are widely considered an efficient method gathering medical information from patients during a medical interview.
What are the questioning techniques in nursing? ›
Effective questioning techniques
The process of effective questioning includes using well constructed questions, an appropriate mix of questions, phrasing questions accurately, interposing sufficient wait time and using prob- ing questions.
What are the 5 P's of rounding? ›
Hourly rounding incorporates behavioral and environmental components2. The focused hourly assessment includes the completion of the evaluation of the“5P's”: Pain, Potty, Positioning, Possessions and Personal needs.
Many healthcare facilities are using the method of rounding addressing the 4P's (possessions, position, pain, and potty). Despite using the 4 P's rounding, there has been an increase in patient falls and miscommunication among staff and patients.
What are the 5 P's of medical rounding? ›
The 5 Ps of Nursing: Foundational Rounding for Best Practices
- Pain.
- Position.
- Potty or personal hygiene.
- Periphery.
- Pump.
Here are 5 open-ended questions which may add depth to conversations with patients:
- What health concerns do you have? This question shows interest in the patient's health priorities. ...
- What are you most worried could be wrong? ...
- What's life been like for you during the pandemic? ...
- How did you and your partner meet?
10 examples of open-ended questions
- Why did you apply for this position?
- Explain how you manage tight deadlines at work.
- What are your biggest strengths and why?
- Why do you think you're the right candidate for this position?
- Why did you leave your previous position?
- Where do you see yourself in the future?
Some examples of open-ended questions for engaging conversations include: “Can you tell me more about your experience with that?”, “What challenges have you faced in your career?”, “How did you come up with that idea?”, and “What things do you like most about your work?” These questions encourage the other person to ...
What is an open-ended question and why is it better to ask? ›
What are open-ended questions? Open-ended questions are queries that can't be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” By using these types of questions, you invite the respondent to share more information about themselves and their experiences. This helps to open the conversation and often helps people feel more at ease.
