During a clinical interview, what question should a nurse ask to assess abstract thinking?

• A. What brings you joy?
• B. What would you do if you won the lottery?
• C. What does the phrase "a stitch in time saves nine" mean?
• D. Can you remember three words I said earlier?

Answer: (C)

Assessing abstract thinking involves evaluating a person's ability to understand concepts that are not directly tied to concrete experiences. Asking about the meaning of a phrase like "a stitch in time saves nine" challenges the individual to think beyond literal interpretations and requires comprehension of idiomatic expressions and their implications.

This particular question prompts the interviewee to interpret a proverb that conveys a deeper message about the value of timely interventions to prevent larger problems later. Successfully understanding this phrase indicates a higher level of cognitive processing and the ability to engage in abstract thought.

The other options primarily assess different cognitive functions. For instance, asking about what brings joy or what one would do with lottery winnings leans more toward personal preferences and hypothetical situations rather than abstract reasoning. Similarly, recalling three words focuses on memory rather than abstract thinking capabilities. Therefore, asking for the meaning of a proverb is the most effective way to evaluate a person's ability to think abstractly.