CCP Health Coaching Techniques & Communication Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with type 2 diabetes consistently misses follow-up appointments. Which motivational interviewing technique is MOST appropriate to explore this behavior?
- Confront the patient about the missed appointments
- Use open-ended questions to explore barriers to attendance (Correct answer)
- Remind the patient of health risks from non-compliance
- Refer the patient to a different provider
Correct answer: Use open-ended questions to explore barriers to attendance
Open-ended questions in motivational interviewing help patients explore their own barriers without triggering defensiveness.
Question 2: Which communication approach is best described by the acronym OARS in health coaching?
- Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries (Correct answer)
- Outcomes, Assessments, Referrals, Strategies
- Objectives, Actions, Reviews, Solutions
- Observations, Agreements, Risks, Supports
Correct answer: Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries
OARS stands for Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summaries — the core skills of motivational interviewing.
Question 3: When a patient says, 'I know I should exercise but I just can't find the time,' the health coach's BEST reflective response is:
- You need to prioritize your health over other activities.
- It sounds like time is a real challenge for you right now. (Correct answer)
- Have you tried waking up earlier to fit in exercise?
- Most patients with chronic illness find ways to exercise.
Correct answer: It sounds like time is a real challenge for you right now.
A simple reflection paraphrases the patient's statement, demonstrating empathy and encouraging further exploration.
Question 4: In the Stages of Change model, a patient who is actively modifying their diet and has been doing so for three weeks is in which stage?
- Contemplation
- Preparation
- Action (Correct answer)
- Maintenance
Correct answer: Action
The Action stage occurs when a person has made observable behavioral changes within the past six months.
Question 5: A health coach notices that a patient's verbal statements do not match their body language. The MOST appropriate response is to:
- Ignore the discrepancy and focus only on what the patient says
- Gently reflect both the verbal and nonverbal messages observed (Correct answer)
- Document the inconsistency and move on
- Directly tell the patient they are not being honest
Correct answer: Gently reflect both the verbal and nonverbal messages observed
Reflecting both verbal and nonverbal cues helps surface ambivalence and promotes deeper patient self-awareness.
Question 6: Which of the following BEST describes the principle of 'rolling with resistance' in motivational interviewing?
- Arguing back when patients express doubt about change
- Avoiding topics that cause patient discomfort
- Acknowledging resistance without confrontation and exploring it collaboratively (Correct answer)
- Redirecting the conversation immediately when resistance appears
Correct answer: Acknowledging resistance without confrontation and exploring it collaboratively
Rolling with resistance means the coach does not oppose the patient's hesitation but uses it as an opportunity for exploration.
Question 7: Health literacy screening is an important first step in patient communication because:
- It determines a patient's insurance eligibility
- It ensures patients can read and understand health-related materials used in coaching (Correct answer)
- It measures the patient's IQ and cognitive ability
- It identifies patients who need referral to a physician immediately
Correct answer: It ensures patients can read and understand health-related materials used in coaching
Assessing health literacy allows the coach to tailor communication and educational materials to the patient's comprehension level.
CCP Health Coaching Techniques & Communication Skills 2
A patient with type 2 diabetes consistently misses follow-up appointments.
Which motivational interviewing technique is MOST appropriate to explore this behavior?