MRCPsych Patient Communication Skills 2

Question 1

A patient with schizophrenia becomes agitated during an interview and starts pacing. Which de-escalation technique is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Lower your voice, slow your speech, and offer the patient space

Answer

Lowering voice tone, slowing speech, and providing physical space are evidence-based de-escalation techniques for agitated patients.

Question 2

When breaking bad news using the SPIKES protocol, what does the 'K' step refer to?

Accepted Answer

Knowledge — delivering the bad news itself

Answer

In SPIKES, 'K' stands for Knowledge — giving the patient medical facts and delivering the bad news in clear, plain language.

Question 3

A patient refuses to answer questions and sits silently. The most therapeutic initial response is to:

Accepted Answer

Sit quietly with the patient and tolerate the silence

Answer

Tolerating silence communicates acceptance and gives the patient space to engage at their own pace.

Question 4

Which approach best demonstrates the use of 'normalizing' as a communication technique?

Accepted Answer

Informing a patient that many people experience similar feelings

Answer

Normalizing reduces shame and stigma by conveying that the patient's experience is shared by others, without minimizing it.

Question 5

During a mental state examination, a patient uses many words but conveys little meaning. This is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Circumstantiality

Answer

Circumstantiality is characterized by overinclusiveness and excessive detail that eventually reaches the point, unlike tangentiality which never does.

(MRCPsych) Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Practice Test

(MRCPsych) Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Practice Test

MRCPsych Patient Communication Skills 2