COKO Patient Communication Skills 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A kinesiologist suspects a patient is not adhering to their exercise plan due to motivational barriers. Which communication approach is BEST aligned with evidence-based practice?
- Confront the client directly about non-compliance
- Use motivational interviewing techniques to explore ambivalence (Correct answer)
- Reduce the exercise prescription to remove barriers
- Emphasize the health risks of non-adherence
Correct answer: Use motivational interviewing techniques to explore ambivalence
Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based, client-centered approach that explores and resolves ambivalence to promote behavior change.
Question 2: A patient discloses personal financial struggles that are affecting their ability to attend sessions. Which response BEST demonstrates professional empathy?
- Offer a discount to retain the client
- Acknowledge the difficulty and explore available options or resources (Correct answer)
- Suggest the client return when finances improve
- Redirect the conversation back to clinical goals
Correct answer: Acknowledge the difficulty and explore available options or resources
Acknowledging the client's challenge and collaboratively exploring resources demonstrates empathy and supports continuity of care.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question appropriate for a kinesiology intake interview?
- Do you exercise three times a week?
- Is your pain a 7 out of 10?
- What does a typical day of physical activity look like for you? (Correct answer)
- Have you had surgery in the past five years?
Correct answer: What does a typical day of physical activity look like for you?
Open-ended questions invite expansive responses that reveal the patient's perspective, lifestyle, and goals without limiting their answers.
Question 4: During a group exercise class, a participant shares a personal health concern loudly. How should the kinesiologist respond?
- Answer openly to educate all participants
- Acknowledge briefly and offer a private conversation after class (Correct answer)
- Ignore it to avoid singling the participant out
- Ask the participant to save personal questions for their physician
Correct answer: Acknowledge briefly and offer a private conversation after class
A brief public acknowledgment followed by a private follow-up respects confidentiality while validating the participant's concern.
Question 5: A kinesiologist receives a referral note from a physician but the patient's goals differ from what was referred. What is the BEST course of action?
- Follow the physician's referral exclusively
- Pursue only the client's stated goals
- Discuss the discrepancy openly with the client and contact the referring physician if needed (Correct answer)
- Document both and treat both simultaneously without discussion
Correct answer: Discuss the discrepancy openly with the client and contact the referring physician if needed
Transparent communication between the kinesiologist, client, and referring provider ensures coordinated and patient-centered care.
Question 6: What does 'active listening' require of a kinesiologist during a patient session?
- Taking detailed notes while the patient speaks
- Maintaining eye contact and avoiding interruptions while reflecting content and emotion (Correct answer)
- Responding quickly to show attentiveness
- Summarizing only the physical complaints mentioned
Correct answer: Maintaining eye contact and avoiding interruptions while reflecting content and emotion
Active listening involves full presence, non-verbal engagement, and reflective responses that show the patient they are heard.
Question 7: A client expresses frustration that their progress is slower than expected. Which response BEST demonstrates therapeutic communication?
- Reassure them that results take time
- Validate their frustration, then collaboratively review progress and expectations (Correct answer)
- Increase session intensity to accelerate results
- Remind them that they signed up for a long-term program
Correct answer: Validate their frustration, then collaboratively review progress and expectations
Validating emotions and reviewing progress collaboratively addresses both emotional and clinical aspects of the therapeutic relationship.
COKO Patient Communication Skills 3
A kinesiologist suspects a patient is not adhering to their exercise plan due to motivational barriers.
Which communication approach is BEST aligned with evidence-based practice?