,Chapter 1: The Patient Interview
Part A: Multiple Choice (Questions 1–30)
Question 1: The primary purpose of the patient interview in respiratory care is to:
A) Review laboratory data with the patient
B) Gather subjective data about the patient's feelings and perceptions
C) Obtain objective findings through physical examination
D) Complete billing documentation
ANS: B
Rationale: The interview collects subjective data about the patient's feelings regarding their condition;
objective data is obtained through physical examination and testing.
Question 2: Which quality is most essential for a respiratory therapist to conduct a successful interview?
A) Using medical terminology to demonstrate expertise
B) Providing leading questions to guide the patient
C) Being an active listener with genuine concern and empathy
D) Offering reassurance to comfort the patient
ANS: C
Rationale: Active listening, genuine concern, and empathy are cornerstone qualities. Leading questions,
reassurance, and medical jargon create barriers.
Question 3: Which items are typically found on a health history form?
A) Age, chief complaint, present health, and family history
B) Health insurance provider, age, and chief complaint
C) Present health, billing information, and family history
D) Chief complaint, insurance provider, and medications
ANS: A
Rationale: Age, chief complaint, present health, and family history are on the history form because each
impacts health; insurance is for billing.
Question 4: Which external factors enhance the interview process?
Minimizing or preventing interruptions
Ensuring privacy during discussions
Having the interviewer be the same sex as the patient
Providing a comfortable physical environment
A) 1, 4
B) 2, 3
C) 1, 2, 4
D) 2, 3, 4
,ANS: C
Rationale: Privacy, preventing interruptions, and comfortable environment enhance interviewing;
interviewer gender is not a requirement.
Question 5: Open-ended questions are best used to:
A) Gather specific information quickly
B) Begin the interview and allow the patient freedom to answer
C) Speed up the interview process
D) Gather objective data
ANS: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions start the interview, introduce new topics, and allow spontaneous
patient accounts.
Question 6: Direct or closed questions are best used to:
A) Allow the patient to fully explain their situation
B) Demonstrate empathy
C) Gather specific information and speed up the interview
D) Begin the interview process
ANS: C
Rationale: Direct questions are best for gathering specific information and speeding up the interview.
Question 7: When using a computer to record interview responses, the therapist should be aware that:
A) The patient will feel more important
B) Attention may shift from the patient to the computer, potentially missing verbal and nonverbal cues
C) Spelling errors will be eliminated
D) Paper documentation is always preferable
ANS: B
Rationale: Computer use can shift focus from the patient, causing missed messages and potentially
making patients feel unimportant.
Question 8: Which interview technique involves repeating part of what the patient just said to clarify or
stimulate further communication?
A) Silence
B) Reflection
C) Leading
D) Reassurance
ANS: B
Rationale: Reflection echoes the patient's words to clarify or stimulate further communication and help
the patient focus.
, Question 9: Silence is most appropriately used after:
A) A direct question
B) An open-ended question
C) Providing reassurance
D) Asking a leading question
ANS: B
Rationale: After open-ended questions, patients may pause; silence allows them to continue and
provide spontaneous accounts.
Question 10: The most important components of a successful interview are:
A) Authority and medical terminology
B) Communication and understanding
C) Providing assurance and advice
D) Leading questions and anticipating responses
ANS: B
Rationale: Communication and understanding are the basis for a good interview.
Question 11: Understanding a patient's culture and religious beliefs is important because:
A) The therapist should engage in sensitive conversations
B) The therapist should change misguided notions
C) These beliefs may impact how the patient thinks and behaves regarding health
D) The therapist should explain discrimination and stereotyping
ANS: C
Rationale: Culture and religion profoundly affect how patients think, behave, and make health decisions.
Question 12: Subjective data obtained during the interview includes:
A) Respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute
B) Oxygen saturation of 92%
C) Patient statement: "I feel like I can't catch my breath"
D) Crackles auscultated in lung bases
ANS: C
Rationale: Subjective data consists of patient-reported experiences, feelings, and perceptions.
Question 13: The history form should be completed:
A) During the interview
B) Before the interview
C) After the physical examination
D) By a family member only
Part A: Multiple Choice (Questions 1–30)
Question 1: The primary purpose of the patient interview in respiratory care is to:
A) Review laboratory data with the patient
B) Gather subjective data about the patient's feelings and perceptions
C) Obtain objective findings through physical examination
D) Complete billing documentation
ANS: B
Rationale: The interview collects subjective data about the patient's feelings regarding their condition;
objective data is obtained through physical examination and testing.
Question 2: Which quality is most essential for a respiratory therapist to conduct a successful interview?
A) Using medical terminology to demonstrate expertise
B) Providing leading questions to guide the patient
C) Being an active listener with genuine concern and empathy
D) Offering reassurance to comfort the patient
ANS: C
Rationale: Active listening, genuine concern, and empathy are cornerstone qualities. Leading questions,
reassurance, and medical jargon create barriers.
Question 3: Which items are typically found on a health history form?
A) Age, chief complaint, present health, and family history
B) Health insurance provider, age, and chief complaint
C) Present health, billing information, and family history
D) Chief complaint, insurance provider, and medications
ANS: A
Rationale: Age, chief complaint, present health, and family history are on the history form because each
impacts health; insurance is for billing.
Question 4: Which external factors enhance the interview process?
Minimizing or preventing interruptions
Ensuring privacy during discussions
Having the interviewer be the same sex as the patient
Providing a comfortable physical environment
A) 1, 4
B) 2, 3
C) 1, 2, 4
D) 2, 3, 4
,ANS: C
Rationale: Privacy, preventing interruptions, and comfortable environment enhance interviewing;
interviewer gender is not a requirement.
Question 5: Open-ended questions are best used to:
A) Gather specific information quickly
B) Begin the interview and allow the patient freedom to answer
C) Speed up the interview process
D) Gather objective data
ANS: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions start the interview, introduce new topics, and allow spontaneous
patient accounts.
Question 6: Direct or closed questions are best used to:
A) Allow the patient to fully explain their situation
B) Demonstrate empathy
C) Gather specific information and speed up the interview
D) Begin the interview process
ANS: C
Rationale: Direct questions are best for gathering specific information and speeding up the interview.
Question 7: When using a computer to record interview responses, the therapist should be aware that:
A) The patient will feel more important
B) Attention may shift from the patient to the computer, potentially missing verbal and nonverbal cues
C) Spelling errors will be eliminated
D) Paper documentation is always preferable
ANS: B
Rationale: Computer use can shift focus from the patient, causing missed messages and potentially
making patients feel unimportant.
Question 8: Which interview technique involves repeating part of what the patient just said to clarify or
stimulate further communication?
A) Silence
B) Reflection
C) Leading
D) Reassurance
ANS: B
Rationale: Reflection echoes the patient's words to clarify or stimulate further communication and help
the patient focus.
, Question 9: Silence is most appropriately used after:
A) A direct question
B) An open-ended question
C) Providing reassurance
D) Asking a leading question
ANS: B
Rationale: After open-ended questions, patients may pause; silence allows them to continue and
provide spontaneous accounts.
Question 10: The most important components of a successful interview are:
A) Authority and medical terminology
B) Communication and understanding
C) Providing assurance and advice
D) Leading questions and anticipating responses
ANS: B
Rationale: Communication and understanding are the basis for a good interview.
Question 11: Understanding a patient's culture and religious beliefs is important because:
A) The therapist should engage in sensitive conversations
B) The therapist should change misguided notions
C) These beliefs may impact how the patient thinks and behaves regarding health
D) The therapist should explain discrimination and stereotyping
ANS: C
Rationale: Culture and religion profoundly affect how patients think, behave, and make health decisions.
Question 12: Subjective data obtained during the interview includes:
A) Respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute
B) Oxygen saturation of 92%
C) Patient statement: "I feel like I can't catch my breath"
D) Crackles auscultated in lung bases
ANS: C
Rationale: Subjective data consists of patient-reported experiences, feelings, and perceptions.
Question 13: The history form should be completed:
A) During the interview
B) Before the interview
C) After the physical examination
D) By a family member only
