Asking about pronouns is a respectful, practical approach during health history interviews.

The pronoun question that builds trust in health histories

When a nurse starts a health history, the goal isn’t just to collect data; it’s to establish a sense of safety, respect, and partnership. For transgender clients, those first moments can set the tone for the entire encounter. A small, concrete question—one that acknowledges identity and sets boundaries—can make all the difference. The question is simple: What pronouns do you use?

Why this question matters

Language shapes experience. If a caregiver gets pronouns wrong, it can feel like a subtle erasure of who the person is. You don’t have to know everything about someone’s gender journey to show care. You just need to invite them to tell you how they want to be addressed. This isn’t a test of personal beliefs or a check on someone’s life history. It’s about respect and accuracy in documentation, which matters for medication safety, patient comfort, and honest communication.

Let me explain with a quick contrast. Suppose a patient introduces themselves with a name that doesn’t match the sex they were assigned at birth. If the nurse asks about pronouns in a thoughtful, unembarrassed way, the patient feels seen. If the nurse skirts around the topic or makes assumptions, the patient may withdraw, skip details, or delay care. The difference can feel subtle in the moment but reverberates through trust and the quality of care.

What the right question achieves

• Affirmation: It signals that the patient’s identity is respected, not ignored.

• Clarity: It prevents misgendering during the interview and in the chart.

• Safety: It helps avoid uncomfortable missteps that could cause distress or fear of judgment.

• Efficiency: It reduces the need to backtrack. When pronouns are used from the outset, the conversation stays focused on health history rather than on identity itself.

• Rapport: It builds a foundation for honest reporting, which is essential for accurate assessments and effective care planning.

What not to ask (and why)

During the health history, certain questions can feel intrusive or irrelevant to the patient’s current medical needs. Here are a few examples and why they miss the mark:

• A. “How does your family feel about your gender identity?”

This question centers family opinions rather than the patient’s current care. It can put the patient in a defensive position and may stray far from health concerns that need attention today.

• C. “When did you transition?”

This asks for a timeline of a highly personal journey. While history can be relevant in some contexts, it isn’t essential to delivering competent care in most health history interviews and can feel invasive or sensationalizing.

• D. “Are you planning to ever have surgery to change your biological sex?”

This presupposes medical decisions about sex characteristics and can push sensitive topics into the spotlight when they aren’t necessary for immediate care. It risks pathologizing gender diversity rather than fostering a supportive, patient-centered interaction.

The “What pronouns do you use?” approach keeps the focus where it belongs—on current health needs and respectful communication. It’s a straightforward, inclusive doorway into a productive conversation about symptoms, risks, medications, and care preferences.

A practical way to incorporate the pronoun question

• Introduce the moment: When you begin the intake, you might say, “To make sure I address you correctly, what pronouns do you use?” This normalizes the question and reduces anxiety.

• Use the patient’s lead: If they share pronouns, reflect them consistently. If they don’t want to specify pronouns, honor their preference for naming and gender terms they’re comfortable with.

• Document thoughtfully: In the chart, note the pronouns clearly and update as needed. If the patient uses different names for different situations, you can record preferred name and pronouns, along with any professional notes about consent to use that name in communications.

• Normalize in the team: Share pronoun preferences with the care team in a discreet, respectful way. This isn’t about singling a person out; it’s about ensuring consistent, respectful interactions across every touchpoint of care.

• Be mindful of context: Some settings require privacy and sensitivity. If you’re in a loud, busy area, you might ask when you can step into a quieter room or continue the chat after a brief pause.

The human side: a few quick tips

• Keep it light, not clinical. A warm tone helps the patient feel safe enough to share what matters for their health.

• Mirror and validate. If they use particular terms for gender identity, reflect that language back in your questions and explanations.

• Don’t assume. Pronouns aren’t always aligned with appearance, medical history, or gender identity. Ask and listen.

• Be ready for corrections. If you misstep, acknowledge it simply: “I’m sorry for the mistake. I’ll use your pronouns from now on.” Then move forward with the conversation.

• Respect privacy and consent. Some patients may prefer to share pronouns early, while others might want to discuss other health concerns first. Let them guide the pace.

Bringing pronouns into an ATI-like health assessment mindset (without turning it into a quiz)

Let's connect this to the broader aims of health assessment work you’ll encounter in clinical content areas. A solid health interview blends technical accuracy with compassionate communication. The way you ask about identity should never feel like performance; it should feel like care in action.

• Rapport as an anchor: Establishing rapport starts with asking respectfully and listening attentively. Pronoun questions are one small tool to build a foundation of trust.

• Information relevance: The primary goal is to gather information that directly affects care, such as medications, allergies, past medical history, and current symptoms. Identity questions should be framed to support accurate care delivery, not to pry for its own sake.

• Documentation integrity: Clear pronoun use in the chart reduces confusion during rounds and handoffs. It also helps avoid mistakes in treatment administration, especially in fast-paced settings where miscommunication can happen quickly.

• Cultural humility: Recognize that gender diversity is one of many aspects of a patient’s identity. Approach every patient with curiosity, openness, and a willingness to adjust as new information becomes relevant.

A few real-world touches

• In busy clinics, you might distinguish between a quick pronoun check at intake and a more detailed conversation later if the patient wants to share more about their health story. The first step is often simply to acknowledge and respect.

• If a patient’s language needs vary, bring in interpretation services or patient navigators. The goal is clarity, not leaving anyone to navigate a language barrier alone.

• When you’re documenting, remember that electronic health records are not just data boxes. They guide future care. Pronoun accuracy is part of a respectful, patient-centered care plan.

Resources and practical pointers you can keep handy

• Stay aligned with guidelines from reputable health organizations that emphasize inclusive communication and patient safety.

• If you’re curious about transgender health more broadly, consider reputable, patient-centric guides that cover terminology, consent, and privacy, and that stress the importance of using preferred names and pronouns in all care settings.

• In your clinical rotations or on-site training, bring up pronoun usage as a routine part of the intake process. Normalize the practice by treating it as a standard step, not a special accommodation.

• Remember to talk with your team about how to handle situations where a patient’s pronouns are unclear. A quick, respectful approach can save a lot of back-and-forth and discomfort later.

A closing thought: why one question can shape an entire encounter

If you’re studying the core ideas behind health assessment in ATI-aligned content, you’ll notice a throughline: great care hinges on listening, clarity, and respect. Asking, “What pronouns do you use?” is more than etiquette. It’s a tangible signal that every other question on the intake form will be answered in a context that honors the patient as a whole person. It’s about creating a space where patients feel safe to share what matters for their health—without fear of misgendering or discomfort.

The bottom line is simple. The right pronoun question is a bridge between medical information and human dignity. It keeps care grounded in the patient’s realities and empowers them to participate actively in their own health journey. In every clinical setting, from a quiet clinic room to a bustling hospital floor, a brief moment of respectful acknowledgment can set a positive tone that lasts long after the encounter ends.

If you’re helping students or new nurses navigate these conversations, share this approach as a practical, compassionate first step. It’s a tiny move with big impact—the kind of moment that aligns with the best instincts of nursing: to listen, to respect, and to treat every person with the care they deserve.