Patient Communication Skills Flashcards
7 cards from real TRIVIUM 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
Which element is MOST important when delivering bad news to a patient?
Answer: Choosing a private, quiet setting for the conversation
A private setting protects patient dignity, allows for emotional expression, and reduces distractions during difficult conversations.
A patient nods and says 'yes' to every question but later cannot recall the information. This MOST likely indicates:
Answer: A health literacy or comprehension barrier
Patients with low health literacy may respond affirmatively to avoid embarrassment, making teach-back essential for verification.
When communicating a change in a patient's care plan, the healthcare worker should FIRST:
Answer: Explain the change, the reason for it, and answer questions
Directly explaining changes to the patient with rationale and opportunity for questions upholds informed consent and trust.
A culturally competent healthcare worker recognizes that some cultures view illness as:
Answer: A punishment, spiritual imbalance, or social event requiring community involvement
Cultural beliefs about illness vary widely and can include spiritual, communal, or supernatural explanations that affect care decisions.
Which action VIOLATES professional communication boundaries with a patient?
Answer: Sharing personal contact information for patients to reach you after hours
Sharing personal contact information blurs professional boundaries and can create unhealthy dependency or liability.
An assertive communication style in healthcare is characterized by:
Answer: Expressing needs and concerns clearly while respecting others
Assertive communication balances clear, direct expression of one's own needs with genuine respect for the patient's perspective.
A patient declines a recommended treatment. The healthcare worker's BEST response is to:
Answer: Document refusal and ensure the patient understands the risks
Documenting the refusal and ensuring the patient understands the potential consequences respects autonomy and protects the clinician legally.