Nursing Review

TABLE 6-8 Suggested Format for Sexual Assessment Interview

Interview Step	Rationale
Open the discussion of sexual matters subtly with an openended question: "People with your illness or stresses often experience other difficulties, sometimes with sexual functioning.”	This gentle opening lets the client know that other people have difficulties, too. It gives the client permission to talk with the nurse about sexual matters without labeling these matters as problems.
Follow up with another open-ended question about the client’s current status: “Has your illness or stresses made any difference in what it’s like for you to be a wife or husband (lover, boyfriend, girlfriend, sexual partner)?	The phrasing of this question enables the client to acknowledge a problem without admitting a shortcoming.
If the client speaks of having a dysfunction, ask about its effect: “How does this affect you?” or “How do you feel about it?”	This indicates that the nurse is willing to explore sexual matters more completely.
Ask about the severity and duration of the dysfunction: “Is it always difficult to control your ejaculation?" “Tell me when you first noticed this.”	These questions are directed at identifying the specific problem.
sk about the effects on the client’s sexual partner: “Has this affected your relationship with your partner?"	This question is directed toward exploring the interactional aspects of the identified problem.
Ask what the client has already done to alleviate the situation: “Have you made any adjustments in your sexual activity?”	This question yields data that will help the nurse to formulate an intervention plan.
Ask the client if and how he or she would like the situation changed: “How would you like to change the situation to make it more satisfying?”	This question conveys the negotiated nature of the therapeutic relationship, in which the client’s own goals play an important part.