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,Chapter 01: The Patient Interview
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MULTIPLE CHOICE n
1. The respiratory care practitioner is conducting a patient interview. The main purpose of this
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interview is to:
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a. review data with the patient. n n n n
b. gather subjective data from the patient. n n n n n
c. gather objective data from the patient. n n n n n
d. fill out the history form or checklist. n n n n n n
ANS: B n
The interview is a meeting between the respiratory care practitioner and the patient. It allows the collection
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of subjective data about the patient’s feelings regarding his/her
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condition. Thehistory should be done before the interview.Although data can be reviewed, that is n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
not the primary purpose of the interview.
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2. For there to be a successful interview, the respiratory therapist must:
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a. provide leading questions to guide the patient. n n n n n n
b. reassure the patient. n n
c. be an active listener. n n n
d. use medical terminology to show knowledge of the subject matter. n n n n n n n n n
ANS: C n
The personal qualities that a respiratory therapist must have to conduct a successful interview include being
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an active listener, having a genuine concern for the patient, and having empathy. Leading questions must
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be avoided. Reassurance may provide a false sense of comfort to the patient. Medical jargon can sound
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exclusionary and paternalistic to a patient.
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3. Which of the following would be found on a history form? n n n n n n n n n n
1. Age
2. Chief complaint n
3. Present health n
4. Family history n
5. Health insurance provider n n
a. 1, 4 n
b. 2, 3 n
c. 3, 4, 5 n n
d. 1, 2, 3, 4 n n n
ANS: D n
Age, chief complaint, present health, and family history are typically found on a health history form
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because each can impact the patient’s health. Health insurance provider information, while needed for
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billing purposes, would not be found on the history form.
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, 4. External factors the respiratory care practitioner should make efforts to provide during an
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interview include which of the following?
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1. Minimize or prevent interruptions. n n n
2. Ensure privacy during discussions. n n n
3. Interviewer is the same sex as the patient to prevent bias. n n n n n n n n n n
4. Becomfortable forthe patient and interviewer. n n n n n n
a. 1, 4 n
b. 2, 3 n
c. 1, 2, 4 n n
d. 2, 3, 4 n n
ANS: C n
External factors, such as a good physical setting, enhance the interviewing process. Regardless of the
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interview setting (the patient’s bedside, a crowded emergency room, an office in the hospital or clinic, or the
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patient’s home), efforts should be made to (1) ensure privacy, (2) prevent interruptions, and (3) secure a
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comfortable physical environment (e.g., comfortable room temperature, sufficient lighting, absence of
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noise). An interviewer of either gender, who acts professionally, should be able to interview a patient of
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either gender.
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5. The respiratory therapist is conducting a patient interview. The therapist chooses to use
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open-ended questions. Open-ended questions allow the therapist to do which of the
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following? n
1. Gather information when a patient introduces a new topic. n n n n n n n n
2. Introduce a new subject area. n n n n
3. Begin the interview process. n n n
4. Gather specific information. n n
a. 4
b. 1, 3 n
c. 1, 2, 3 n n
d. 2, 3,4 n n
n ANS: C n
An open-ended question should be used to start the interview, introduce a new section of questions, and
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gather more information from a patient’s topic. Closed or direct questions are used to gather specific
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information.
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6. The direct question interview format is used to:
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1. speed up the interview. n n n
2. let the patient fully explain his/her situation. n n n n n n
3. help the respiratory therapist show empathy. n n n n n
4. gather specific information. n n
a. 1, 4 n
b. 2, 3 n
c. 3, 4 n
d. 1, 2, 3 n n
ANS: A n
Direct or closed questions are best to gather specific information and speed up the interview. Open-
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ended questions are best suited to let the patient fully explain his/her situation and possibly help the
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respiratory therapist show empathy.
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, 7. During the interview the patient states, “Every time I climb the stairs I have to stop to catch my
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breath.” Hearing this, the respiratory therapist replies, “So, it sounds like you get short of
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breath climbing stairs.” This interviewing technique is called:
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a. clarification.
b. modeling.
c. empathy.
d. reflection.
ANS: D n
With reflection, part of the patient’s statement is repeated. This lets the patient know that what he/she
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said was heard. It also encourages the patient to elaborate on the topic.
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Clarification, modeling, and empathy are other communication techniques. n n n n n n n
8. The respiratory therapist may choose to use the patient interview technique of silence in
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which of the following situations?
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a. To prompt the patient to ask a question n n n n n n n
b. After a direct question n n n
c. After an open-ended question n n n
d. To allow the patient to review his/her history n n n n n n n
ANS: C n
After a patient has answered an open-ended question, the respiratory therapist should pause (use silence)
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before asking the next question. This pause allows the patient to add something else before moving on. The
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patient may also choose to ask a question.
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9. To have the most productive interviewing session, which of the following types of responses to
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assist in the interview shouU
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N.espTiratory tOherapist avoid?
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a. Confrontation
b. Reflection
c. Facilitation
d. Distancing
ANS: D n
With confrontation, the respiratory therapist focuses the patient’s attention on an action, feeling, or
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statement made by the patient. This may prompt a further discussion. Reflection helps the patient focus on
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specific areas and continues in his/her own way. Facilitation encourages patients to say more, to continue
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with the story. The respiratory therapist should avoid giving advice, using avoidance language, and using
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distancing language.
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10. When closing the interview, the respiratory therapist should do which of the following?
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1. Recheck the patient’s vital signs. n n n n
2. Thank the patient. n n
3. Ask if the patient has any questions. n n n n n n
4. Close the door behind himself/herself for patient privacy. n n n n n n n
a. 2
b. 2, 3 n
c. 1, 3, 4 n n
d. 1, 2, 4ANS: B
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