COKO Patient Communication Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A kinesiology client becomes emotionally distressed mid-session after discussing a past injury. What is the most appropriate immediate response?
- Continue the session to maintain momentum
- Acknowledge the emotion and pause to offer support (Correct answer)
- Refer the client immediately to a psychologist
- Document the reaction and proceed without comment
Correct answer: Acknowledge the emotion and pause to offer support
Acknowledging the client's emotional response validates their experience and establishes trust before deciding whether to continue.
Question 2: When documenting a patient's subjective complaints in a SOAP note, which communication principle is most important?
- Paraphrase with your clinical interpretation
- Record the patient's own words verbatim or closely quoted (Correct answer)
- Summarize briefly using professional terminology only
- Omit minor complaints to keep records concise
Correct answer: Record the patient's own words verbatim or closely quoted
Recording the patient's own words preserves accuracy and reflects true subjective experience in the legal record.
Question 3: A kinesiologist is explaining a home exercise program to an elderly patient with low health literacy. Which strategy is MOST effective?
- Provide a detailed written handout using medical terminology
- Use the teach-back method to confirm understanding (Correct answer)
- Speak more slowly and repeat the same instructions
- Simplify the program to a single exercise
Correct answer: Use the teach-back method to confirm understanding
The teach-back method asks patients to explain instructions in their own words, confirming comprehension rather than just delivery.
Question 4: During a fitness assessment, a client refuses to answer questions about their medical history. How should the kinesiologist respond?
- Proceed with the assessment since consent was already signed
- Explain the purpose of the questions and respect the client's right to decline (Correct answer)
- Refuse to provide services until full disclosure is given
- Contact the referring physician to obtain the information
Correct answer: Explain the purpose of the questions and respect the client's right to decline
Explaining clinical rationale respects client autonomy while ensuring informed decision-making about participation.
Question 5: Which of the following BEST describes therapeutic communication in kinesiology practice?
- Using clinical jargon to demonstrate expertise
- Directing conversation to stay strictly on physical goals
- Purposeful, client-centered interaction that supports health outcomes (Correct answer)
- Maintaining professional distance to avoid boundary issues
Correct answer: Purposeful, client-centered interaction that supports health outcomes
Therapeutic communication is intentional and client-focused, designed to support trust, adherence, and well-being.
Question 6: A client says they understand your instructions but their body language suggests confusion. What should you do?
- Accept their verbal confirmation and move on
- Reassess understanding using a different explanation or demonstration (Correct answer)
- Note the discrepancy in the chart and continue
- Ask a colleague to re-explain the instructions
Correct answer: Reassess understanding using a different explanation or demonstration
Non-verbal cues often signal true comprehension levels; reassessing with different methods ensures genuine understanding.
Question 7: When communicating with a patient who uses American Sign Language (ASL), what is the kinesiologist's primary obligation?
- Learn basic ASL signs relevant to kinesiology
- Arrange for a qualified interpreter to be present (Correct answer)
- Use written notes as the sole communication method
- Have a family member translate during sessions
Correct answer: Arrange for a qualified interpreter to be present
A qualified interpreter ensures accurate communication and protects the client's right to equitable healthcare access.
COKO Patient Communication Skills 2
A kinesiology client becomes emotionally distressed mid-session after discussing a past injury.
What is the most appropriate immediate response?