Clinical interview practice questions Flashcards
The main purpose of an interview is which of the following:
A. To evaluate the mental status and physical exam
B. To establish a rapport with the patient and reassuring him/her that
confidentiality will be maintained.
C. To provide teaching and guidance to the patient concerning the present illness
D. To gather all basic information pertinent to the patient’s illness
D. To gather all basic information pertinent to the patient’s illness
Communication is the key to a successful interview. Which of the following
statements is not true during the interviewing process?
A. The physician should avoid using slang words and slang phrases during the
interview.
B. The physician should seek the help of a trained medical interpreter if the
patient speaks another language.
C. Listening skills are important during the interviewing process.
D. Touch can communicate warmth and caring.
A. The physician should avoid using slang words and slang phrases during the
interview
You are conducting an interview with the patient. She states that she is excited
about the pregnancy but has a few questions. During the interview she slips her
wedding band on and off, bites her bottom lip and continually moves her left leg.
With your knowledge of communication, which statement is most accurate?
A. The patient may be excited about her pregnancy.
B. The patient may be exhibiting congruent verbal and nonverbal behavior
C. The patient may be disappointed but does verbalize her feelings.
D. It is difficult to correctly interpret the patient’s nonverbal communication
C. The patient may be disappointed but does verbalize her feelings.
In an interview, it will be necessary to take notes to aid your memory later. Which of the follolwing statements is true regarding note-taking?
A. Taking notes allows you to break eye contact with the patient, which may
increase their level of comfort>
B. Taking notes allows the patient to continue at their own pace as you record
what the patient is saying
C. Taking notes allows you to shift your attention away from the patient, which
may decrease your level of comfort.
D. Taking notes may impede your observations of the patient’s nonverbal
behavior.
D. Taking notes may impede your observations of the patient’s nonverbal
behavior.
The following statement is most likely to be found at which phase of the
interview? “ Mr. B., you have been very helpful. I would like to make a few
notes.”
A. During the body of the interview
B. Opening/Introducing the interview
C. Closing the interview
D. During the follow-up phase of the interview
C. Closing the interview
Mrs. H has just entered the emergency room after being battered by her husband.
The physician will need to get some information from her in order to begin
treatment. What is the best choice for an opening of the interview?
A. Mrs. H., my name is medical student X. You were hit, weren’t you? Please
feel free to tell me the truth about your physical abuse.
B. Mrs. H., my name is medical student X. It sure is warm outside today! What
brings you to see me today?
C. Mrs. H., my name is medical student X. You look like you are in pain; can I
get you anything ?
D. Mrs. H., my name is medical student X. I’ll need to ask you a few questions
about what happened.
D. Mrs. H., my name is medical student X. I’ll need to ask you a few questions
about what happened.
For the following statement, identify which verbal skill is used: “You mentioned
shortness of breath, tell me more about that.”
A. Direct question
B. Open-ended question
C. Reflection
D. Facilitation
B. Open-ended question
In using verbal responses to direct the patient’s attention to something which
he/she may not be aware of is an example of:
A. Support
B. Interpretation
C. Confrontation
D. Reflection
C. Confrontation
During the interviewing process, Mr. C. becomes very angry. He states that,
“It’s the doctors fault that I developed hypertention and diabetes.” The
physician recognized the defense mechanism used by Mr. C is called:
A. Regression
B. Projection
C. Denial
D. Depression
B. Projection
J.M., a 60 year old male, tells you he is here today becaused he has been having
“ black stools for the last two days and it smells so bad.” This patient has a
history of ulcerative colotis. How would you document his reason for seeking
care?
A. J.M., a 60 year old male, states he has ulcerative colitis and wants it
checked.
B. J.M., a 60 year old male, here for “black stools” presented with his wife
and son.
C. J.M., a 60 year old male is here for “ulcerative colitis” follow-up.
D. J.M., a 60 year old male presented with the complaint of black stools that
smell extremely offensive to him.
B. J.M., a 60 year old male, here for “black stools” presented with his wife
and son.
When taking a family history, important diseases or problems to ask the patient
about would include which of the following?
A. Fractured bones
B. Head truma
C. Vehicle accidents
D. Mental illness
D. Mental illness
Mr. P. considers himself a “type A” personality type. He has a need to be in
control and abreast of all decisions made in his company. This information
should be included in which area?
A. Past medical history
B. Family history
C. Psychosocial history
D. Review of systems
C. Psychosocial history
The part of the history that summarizes, in terms of body systems, all the many
symptoms that may have been overlooked in the history of present illness or in
the past medical history is:
A. The psychosocial history B. The chief complaint C. The history of present illness D. The review of systems E. The past history
D. The review of systems
The specific and distinct knowledge, beliefs, skills, and customs acquired be
members of a society that must be considered during the interviewing process is
known as:
A. Ethnicity
B. Mores
C. Stereotypes
D. Culture
D. Culture
You have used interpretation regarding a patient’s statement or actions. After
this, it would be best to:
A. Apologize, since this can be demeaning fro the patient
B. Allow the patient time to confirm or correct your inference
C. Continue with your interview as though nothing had happened to avoid breakdown
in the process
D. Immediately restate your conclusion based on the patient’s nonverbral response
B. Allow the patient time to confirm or correct your inference
