The nurse uses the whispered voice test to assess a patient’s hearing. The nurse is assessing which cranial nerve?

Choice A reason: Asking about other drug allergies is relevant but secondary to understanding the penicillin allergy’s nature. Without clarifying the reaction’s severity (e.g., anaphylaxis vs. rash), the nurse cannot fully assess the risk, making this a less immediate response.

Choice B reason: Asking about the frequency of penicillin use does not address the nature or severity of the allergic reaction. This information is irrelevant to managing the allergy and ensuring patient safety, making it an inappropriate initial response.

Choice C reason: Asking the patient to describe their reaction to penicillin clarifies the type and severity of the allergy (e.g., rash, anaphylaxis). This informs safe medication administration and prevents adverse reactions, making it the most critical and appropriate response.

Choice D reason: Documenting the allergy is necessary but premature without understanding the reaction’s specifics. Assuming the allergy without verification could lead to incomplete charting or mismanagement, making this a less priority response compared to gathering details.

Choice A reason: Facilitation involves encouraging elaboration, like nodding or saying “go on,” to keep the patient talking. The question “What brings you to the clinic today?” seeks a broad response, not just continuation, making this incorrect.

Choice B reason: Direct questions seek specific answers, like “Do you have pain?” The stated question allows a broad, narrative response, not a targeted one, making it an open-ended technique rather than a direct one.

Choice C reason: An open-ended question, like “What brings you to the clinic today?” invites the patient to provide a detailed, narrative response, allowing exploration of their concerns without limiting answers, making this the correct communication technique.

Choice D reason: Reflection restates the patient’s words to clarify or validate, like “You feel tired?” The question posed seeks new information, not a restatement, making it an open-ended technique, not reflection.