NR 509 Midterm Study Guide  Basic and Advanced Interviewing Techniques Basic Interviewing Techniques ● Active listening: Active listening means closely attending to what the patient is communicating, connecting to the patient's emotional state, and using verbal and nonverbal skills to encourage the patient to expand on his or her feelings and concerns. ● Empathic responses: Empathy has been described as the capacity to identify with the patient and feel the patient's pain as your ...