In supporting a survivor of sexual assault, which nurse statement aligns with open-ended elicitation of the experience?

• A. Do you think you will ever feel safe?
• B. Tell me more about why you feel like the assault just occurred.
• C. You're strong; you'll get through this.
• D. We should discuss legal action.

Answer: (B)

Open-ended elicitation invites the survivor to share their experience in their own words, without steering or judging. The statement that best fits is one that invites reflection and detail about what the survivor is feeling and perceiving, rather than directing or closing the conversation. “Tell me more about why you feel like the assault just occurred” does this by prompting the survivor to describe emotions, thoughts, or sensations in their own terms, which helps the nurse understand the impact of the event and respond appropriately with support and safety planning.

Other approaches either constrain the response or shift the focus away from the survivor’s experience. A question about feeling safe in the future is a follow-on concern and can limit the conversation to a yes/no or hypothetical outcome. A reassuring statement aims to comfort but can mask the survivor’s needs and shut down the opportunity to explore the trauma details. Discussing legal action introduces a potential plan and may pressure the survivor, reducing the chance to share their personal experience.