Patient Communication Skills Flashcards
7 cards from real ABCN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Communication Skills flashcards as text
A neuropsychologist is explaining a dementia diagnosis to a patient with limited health literacy. Which communication strategy is most appropriate?
Answer: Use plain language and the teach-back method to confirm understanding
The teach-back method combined with plain language ensures patients with limited health literacy can understand and retain complex diagnostic information.
During feedback, a patient becomes tearful upon learning their memory scores are significantly below average. The clinician's most therapeutic response is to:
Answer: Pause, acknowledge the emotional response, and allow the patient to process
Pausing to validate emotional reactions demonstrates empathy and creates psychological safety before continuing with clinical information.
A patient asks, 'Does this mean I'm going crazy?' after receiving neuropsychological feedback. The best response normalizes their concern while:
Answer: Acknowledging the fear and providing psychoeducation about brain-behavior relationships
Addressing both the stigmatizing language and the underlying fear through psychoeducation reduces shame and improves therapeutic alliance.
When communicating assessment results to a patient from a collectivist cultural background, the neuropsychologist should:
Answer: Consider whether the patient prefers family involvement in the feedback process
Culturally responsive care includes assessing the patient's preferences for family involvement in medical decision-making.
A patient with traumatic brain injury has anosognosia. Which approach best supports effective communication during feedback?
Answer: Use motivational interviewing techniques to explore the patient's perspective gently
Motivational interviewing allows the clinician to explore discrepancies between the patient's self-perception and observed deficits without triggering defensiveness.
Which element is most critical when delivering a feedback session to a patient with significant anxiety?
Answer: Prioritizing strengths before discussing weaknesses to build a supportive frame
Leading with cognitive strengths establishes a balanced context and reduces the threat response before discussing areas of difficulty.
A neuropsychologist notices a patient repeatedly nods but gives answers suggesting misunderstanding. The most appropriate next step is to:
Answer: Ask the patient to explain the key points in their own words
Asking patients to paraphrase key information (teach-back) reveals comprehension gaps that surface nodding can conceal.