How to deter when asked personal questions by patients?

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Emergency.

Wanted to get some advice on how to handle situations when patients ask personal questions. I work in a psychiatric unit and I am not as comfortable answering questions such as "are you married? Do you have children?" as I would in a different hospital setting. When patients ask I usually just try and change the subject. Then the rapport I was building with them seems to fade a bit. Any any advice would be helpful.

Thank-you ❤️

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"Oh, I appreciate you wanting to talk about me, but I am here for you. Tell me, how are you feeling right now?" (

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Great suggestion jade...... You "knocked it out of the park again"

very good therapeutic, deflection.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

A version of what jadelpn said... I usually say something like: 1) The most important thing right now is you and what you are dealing with so lets back to that!

2. My main focus is you and meeting your needs

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I suppose "unmarried, looking for my soul mate and father to my future children....are you that person?" is probably wrong....:cheeky:

J/K! Jade's spiel is my own :)

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Specializes in L&D.
I suppose "unmarried, looking for my soul mate and father to my future children....are you that person?" is probably wrong....:cheeky:

Nailed it.

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I like Jade's answer, but I also answer a few questions if the person seems to be making chit chat, before deflecting back.

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Are you married? Do you have kids? That's nothing compared to "Do you know Jesus?" There's really no deflecting that one...and you HAVE to give the right answer or it will be a very long assessment. lol.

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Are you married? Do you have kids? That's nothing compared to "Do you know Jesus?" There's really no deflecting that one...and you HAVE to give the right answer or it will be a very long assessment. lol.

I really HAVE answered that question with "sure, he's in Housekeeping, working nights!"

Really. I have.

And then immediately followed that with whatever it is I needed to say before exiting the room!

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Specializes in ER.

If I feel uncomfortable answering personal questions from a particular patient I just say "Oh, I don't answer personal questions from patients, sorry ". Big, warm smile but businesslike and professional demeanor.

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I see no harm in engaging in a little bit of superficial chit chat every once in a while. It can help the patient feel more relaxed and less anxious or worried about what is going to happen to them. If it seems inappropriate or makes me uncomfortable in some way, I'll just change the subject or ask them a question, or say something like what JadeLPN suggested.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
"Do you know Jesus?"

Never met him in person but I hear he's great at parties! Actually the Jesus question is a loaded one in psych - I once took care of a patient who thought he was Jesus (robes and all) and had come back to earth to collect a certain prominent actress who's soul was in danger due to her choice of roles."

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