In approaching family violence, questions should be asked from general to specific.

• A. Specific to general
• B. Immediate to past
• C. General to specific
• D. Open-ended to closed

Answer: (C)

Starting broad and then narrowing down is most effective when interviewing about family violence. Beginning with general questions about safety, stress, and the overall relationship allows the person to tell their story in a nonthreatening way and helps build trust. As the conversation progresses, you can shift to more specific inquiries about particular incidents, timing, locations, people involved, and any injuries or threats. This progression gives you essential context first and then the concrete details, which helps you accurately assess risk and plan safety steps.

While asking open-ended questions early is useful, the overall sequence that moves from general to specific best supports clear, comprehensive disclosure without overwhelming or retraumatizing the patient.