Gimme 5 - When a Patient Asks a Question You Don’t Know the Answer To

Not knowing the answer in front of a patient can feel uncomfortable - especially in your first year of practice. But safe nursing isn’t about having every answer memorized. It’s about knowing how to respond with honesty, professionalism, and clinical judgment.In this 5-minute episode, we walk through a simple four-step framework you can use when a patient asks something you don’t know - plus how to recognize when a question moves from simple clarification to a clinical safety concern.You’ll learn:Why honesty builds trust more than guessingA simple bedside response you can use immediatelyHow to differentiate between informational questions and clinical concernsWhen and how to escalate safely using structured communication tools like SBARBecause you don’t need to know everything — you need to know how to respond safely and confidently.📝The 4-Step Response FrameworkAcknowledge the question (“That’s a great question. I’m glad you asked.”)Be honest (“I don’t have the exact answer right now.”)Commit to action (“I’m going to check your chart and confirm with the team.”)Close the loop (“I’ll come back in about 10 minutes with an update.”)⚖️Safety ReminderNot all questions are equal. Some require clarification and follow-up. Others require assessment and possible escalation.When clinical interpretation or patient deterioration may be involved, structured tools like SBAR help ensure safe, clear communication with the team.References & Further ReadingTherapeutic Communication in Nursing PracticeFoundations for Success in Nursing – Communicating with PatientsCommunication Strategies in Nursing (including non-therapeutic responses and avoiding false reassurance)AHRQ TeamSTEPPS – SBAR Communication ToolAgency for Healthcare Research and Quality