NR 548 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
STUDY GUIDE 2026 SAFE PRESCRIBING
PRACTICES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ How to Change Topics with Style
Answer: -Smooth Transition
• cue off something the patient just said to introduce a new topic
-Referred Transition
• refer to something the patient said earlier in the interview to move
to a new topic
-Introduced Transition
• introduce the next topic or series of topics before actually
launching into it
◉ Techniques for the Reluctant Patient
Answer: -Open-Ended Questions and Commands
• increase the flow of information
-Continuation Techniques, keep the flow coming:
,• Go on.
• Uh huh.
• Continue with what you were saying about...
• Really?
• Wow
-Neutral Ground
• changing the subject to something nonpsychiatric, with the
intention of sidling back into your territory once you've gained the
patient's trust.
-Second Interview
• When all else fails
*must feel comfortable that the patient is not at imminent risk of
suicide or other dangerous behaviors
◉ Techniques for the Overly Talkative Patient
Answer: -Closed-ended and multiple-choice questions
-Redirecting questions to another topic
• The Art of the Gentle Interruption
• redirecting statement
, • empathic interruption, you add an empathic statement to soften
the blow
• educating interruption incorporates a structuring statement in
which you educate the patient about the sorts of questions you have
yet to ask and the time constraints you're both working under
-Structuring statements regarding information required and/or
clinical procedures
-brisk, highly controlling style
◉ therapeutic or nontherapeutic communication & communication
technique it represents: Why are you so anxious?
Answer: Nontherapeutic
communication technique: Asking for Explanations
◉ therapeutic or nontherapeutic communication & communication
technique it represents: Why don't you and John get married?
Answer: Nontherapeutic
communication technique: Asking Personal Questions
◉ therapeutic or nontherapeutic communication & communication
technique it represents: What would you like to talk about today?
Answer: Therapeutic
STUDY GUIDE 2026 SAFE PRESCRIBING
PRACTICES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ How to Change Topics with Style
Answer: -Smooth Transition
• cue off something the patient just said to introduce a new topic
-Referred Transition
• refer to something the patient said earlier in the interview to move
to a new topic
-Introduced Transition
• introduce the next topic or series of topics before actually
launching into it
◉ Techniques for the Reluctant Patient
Answer: -Open-Ended Questions and Commands
• increase the flow of information
-Continuation Techniques, keep the flow coming:
,• Go on.
• Uh huh.
• Continue with what you were saying about...
• Really?
• Wow
-Neutral Ground
• changing the subject to something nonpsychiatric, with the
intention of sidling back into your territory once you've gained the
patient's trust.
-Second Interview
• When all else fails
*must feel comfortable that the patient is not at imminent risk of
suicide or other dangerous behaviors
◉ Techniques for the Overly Talkative Patient
Answer: -Closed-ended and multiple-choice questions
-Redirecting questions to another topic
• The Art of the Gentle Interruption
• redirecting statement
, • empathic interruption, you add an empathic statement to soften
the blow
• educating interruption incorporates a structuring statement in
which you educate the patient about the sorts of questions you have
yet to ask and the time constraints you're both working under
-Structuring statements regarding information required and/or
clinical procedures
-brisk, highly controlling style
◉ therapeutic or nontherapeutic communication & communication
technique it represents: Why are you so anxious?
Answer: Nontherapeutic
communication technique: Asking for Explanations
◉ therapeutic or nontherapeutic communication & communication
technique it represents: Why don't you and John get married?
Answer: Nontherapeutic
communication technique: Asking Personal Questions
◉ therapeutic or nontherapeutic communication & communication
technique it represents: What would you like to talk about today?
Answer: Therapeutic
