Patient Communication Skills Flashcards
7 cards from real KAPS 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 patient states they stopped taking their antihypertensive because it 'made them feel worse than before.' The pharmacist should FIRST:
Answer: Ask the patient to describe what side effects they experienced before addressing management options
Eliciting a specific description of the adverse effects guides the pharmacist in determining whether symptoms are manageable, require dose adjustment, or warrant prescriber contact.
Which element of health literacy is MOST directly assessed by asking a patient to read and follow a prescription label?
Answer: Functional health literacy
Functional health literacy refers to the ability to read, understand, and act on health-related text such as prescription labels and instructions.
A patient says, 'I read online that my antibiotic can cause tendon rupture. Should I be worried?' The pharmacist's BEST response is to:
Answer: Validate the concern, confirm it is an FDA black box warning for fluoroquinolones, and counsel on warning signs
Fluoroquinolone-associated tendinopathy and rupture carry an FDA black box warning; confirming the risk and educating on early symptoms (pain, swelling) is appropriate and legally required counseling.
When counseling a patient about insulin injection technique, which approach BEST ensures patient competency?
Answer: Demonstrate the technique, then watch the patient return-demonstrate using a practice device
A demonstration followed by patient return-demonstration (teach-back with skill verification) is the gold standard for confirming competency in a psychomotor skill.
Which scenario represents a HIPAA-compliant approach to patient counseling in a busy retail pharmacy?
Answer: Using a designated private counseling area or lowering the voice and stepping to a private window
HIPAA requires pharmacists to make reasonable efforts to protect patient health information, including using private counseling areas or reducing voice volume in open spaces.
A patient with type 2 diabetes asks if they can skip their metformin on days they eat very little. The pharmacist should explain that:
Answer: Consistent daily dosing is important for sustained glycemic control, and concerns about hypoglycemia with metformin alone are minimal
Metformin does not cause hypoglycemia as monotherapy and should be taken consistently; skipping doses based on diet is a common misconception that undermines glycemic control.
Which phrase is an example of therapeutic communication a pharmacist might use to encourage a hesitant patient to discuss medication concerns?
Answer: 'It sounds like you have some concerns — I'd like to hear more about what's worrying you.'
Reflecting the patient's hesitation and inviting elaboration with a non-judgmental, open-ended prompt exemplifies therapeutic communication that fosters trust and dialogue.