Patient Communication Skills Flashcards

When communicating with an elderly patient who has mild hearing loss, the healthcare worker should:

Answer: Speak directly facing the patient in a moderate, clear tone

Facing the patient while speaking clearly at moderate volume aids lip-reading and comprehension without being demeaning.

A patient expresses anger about a long wait time. The MOST therapeutic initial response is:

Answer: Acknowledge the patient's frustration and apologize for the inconvenience

Acknowledging feelings and apologizing de-escalates the situation before moving to problem-solving or explanation.

Which statement is an example of an open-ended question?

Answer: 'What brings you in today?'

Open-ended questions like 'What brings you in today?' invite a narrative response and encourage the patient to share fully.

When a healthcare worker summarizes at the end of a patient interview, the PRIMARY goal is to:

Answer: Confirm accuracy and give the patient a chance to add information

Summarizing confirms mutual understanding and allows the patient to correct any omissions or errors before the visit ends.

Which approach BEST supports communication with a patient who has aphasia?

Answer: Use simple yes/no questions and picture boards

Yes/no questions and augmentative communication tools like picture boards help patients with aphasia participate meaningfully.

A healthcare worker uses silence during a patient conversation. This can be therapeutic because it:

Answer: Gives the patient time to process thoughts and continue speaking

Purposeful silence provides the patient with space to reflect, formulate thoughts, and feel heard without pressure.

A patient states, 'I'm not sure I want to go through with this surgery.' The BEST initial response is:

Answer: 'Tell me more about your concerns regarding the surgery.'

Inviting the patient to elaborate on their concerns supports informed consent and respects patient autonomy.