Chapter 01: The Patient Interview

Des Jardins: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment of Respiratory Disease, 7th Edition

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The respiratory therapist is conducting a patient interview. The main purpose of this interview is to:
a. review data with the patient.
b. gather subjective data from the patient.
c. gather objective data from the patient.
d. fill out the history form or checklist.
ANS: B
During the interview, the patient provides his or her opinion (subjective data) on the situation. The history should be done before
the interview. Although data can be reviewed, that is not the primary purpose of the interview.

REF: p. 2

2. For there to be a successful interview, the respiratory therapist must:

a. provide leading questions to guide the patient.
b. be an active listener.
c. reassure the patient.
d. use medical terminology to show knowledge of the subject matter.
ANS: B
The personal qualities that a respiratory therapist must have to conduct a successful interview include being an active listener,
having a genuine concern for the patient, and having empathy. Leading questions must be avoided. Reassurance may provide a
false sense of comfort to the patient. Medical jargon can sound exclusionary and paternalistic to a patient.

REF: p. 2

3. Which of the following would NOT be found on a history form?

a. Age
b. Chief complaint
c. Present health
d. Family history
e. Health insurance provider
ANS: E
Age, chief complaint, present health, and family history are typically found on a health history form because each can impact the
patient’s health. Health insurance provider information, while needed for billing purposes, would not be found on the history form.

REF: pp. 1- 2

4. The physical setting for the interview should provide for all of the following EXCEPT:
a. minimize or prevent interruptions.
b. ensure privacy during discussions.
c. interviewer is the same sex as the patient to prevent bias.
d. be comfortable for the patient and interviewer.
ANS: C
An interviewer of either gender, who acts professionally, should be able to interview a patient of either gender. The other listed
options are important to have a successful interview.

REF: p. 2

5. The respiratory therapist is conducting a patient interview. The therapist chooses to use open-ended questions. Open-ended
questions allow the therapist to do all of the following EXCEPT:
a. gather information when a patient introduces a new topic.
b. introduce a new subject area.
c. begin the interview process.
d. gather specific information.
ANS: D
An open-ended question should be used to start the interview, introduce a new section of questions, and gather more information
from a patient’s topic. Closed or direct questions are used to gather specific information.

REF: p. 3

Copyright © 2016 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 1

 6. The direct question interview format is used to:
1. speed up the interview.
2. let the patient fully explain his or her situation.
3. help the respiratory therapist show empathy.
4. gather specific information.
a. 1, 4
b. 2, 3
c. 3, 4
d. 1, 2, 3, 4
ANS: A
Direct or closed questions are best to gather specific information and speed up the interview. Open-ended questions are best suited
to let the patient fully explain his or her situation and possibly help the respiratory therapist show empathy.

REF: pp. 3-4

7. During the interview the patient states, “Every time I climb the stairs I have to stop to catch my breath.” Hearing this, the
respiratory therapist replies, “So, it sounds like you get short of breath climbing stairs.” This interviewing technique is called:
a. clarification.
b. modeling.
c. empathy.
d. reflection.
ANS: D
With reflection, part of the patient’s statement is repeated. This lets the patient know that what he/she said was heard. It also
encourages the patient to elaborate on the topic. Clarification, modeling, and empathy are other communication techniques.

REF: pp. 3-5

8. The respiratory therapist may choose to use the patient interview technique of silence in which of the following situations?
a. To prompt the patient to ask a question
b. After a direct question
c. After an open-ended question
d. To allow the patient to review his or her history
ANS: C
After a patient has answered an open-ended question, the respiratory therapist should pause (use silence) before asking the next
question. This pause allows the patient to add something else before moving on. The patient may also choose to ask a question.

REF: p. 4

9. To have the most productive interviewing session, the respiratory therapist must avoid all of the following types of verbal messages
EXCEPT:
a. confrontation.
b. giving advice.
c. using avoidance language.
d. distancing.
ANS: A
With confrontation, the respiratory therapist focuses the patient’s attention on an action, feeling, or statement made by the patient.
This may prompt a further discussion. The respiratory therapist should avoid giving advice, using avoidance language, and using
distancing language.

REF: pp. 5-6

10. When closing the interview, the respiratory therapist should do which of the following?
1. Recheck the patient’s vital signs.
2. Thank the patient.
3. Ask if the patient has any questions.
4. Close the door behind himself or herself for patient privacy.
a. 2
b. 2, 3
c. 1, 3, 4
d. 1, 2, 3, 4
ANS: B
To end the interview on a positive note, the respiratory therapist should thank the patient and ask if the patient has any questions. If
there is no need for the vital signs to be checked, they should not be. The door may be left open or closed, depending on the
situation.

REF: p. 7

Copyright © 2016 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 2

 11. The respiratory therapist should be aware of a patient’s culture and religious beliefs for which of the following reasons?
a. To be able to engage in a meaningful conversation
b. To change any misguided notions the patient has that may impact his or her health
c. To explain to the patient how these beliefs will lead to discrimination and
stereotyping
d. To better understand how the patient’s beliefs may impact how the patient thinks
and behaves
ANS: D
Culture and religious beliefs may have a profound effect on how patients think and behave, and this may impact their health or
health-care decisions. The role of the respiratory therapist is not to change the patient’s beliefs, engage in sensitive conversations,
or discuss discrimination. Rather, the respiratory therapist needs to understand how these beliefs may impact the patient’s
health-care decisions.

REF: pp. 2-3

12. Which of the following are the most important components of a successful interview?
a. Communication and understanding
b. Authority and the use of medical terminology
c. Providing assurance and giving advice
d. Asking leading questions and anticipating patient responses to questions
ANS: A
Communication and understanding are the basis for a good patient interview. Authority, the use of medical jargon, providing
assurance, giving advice, asking leading questions, and anticipating are all types of nonproductive communication forms and create
barriers to patient communication.

REF: p. 2

13. The respiratory therapist is conducting a patient interview and recording responses in the patient’s electronic health r ecord. The
respiratory therapist should take which of the following into account regarding the use of the computer to record responses?
a. The therapist’s attention may be shifted from the patient to the computer.
b. The patient will feel more important than if the information is recorded on paper.
c. The therapist will be less likely to make spelling errors if using a spell-check
program.
d. The environment will be more professional and the patient will be more likely to
open up if the interview is conducted with paper.
ANS: A
The therapist’s use of the computer can be threatening and may, in some cases, be a potential hazard to good patient
communication. The patient can be intimidated to the point of “shutting down.” In addition, the therapist who has to shift focus
from the patient to the computer can miss important verbal and nonverbal messages.

REF: p. 2

Copyright © 2016 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 3