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Chapter 03: The Interview
Jarvis: Physical Examination & Health Assessment, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is conducting an interview with a woman who has recently learned that she is
pregnant and who has come to the clinic today to begin prenatal care. The woman states that
she and her husband are excited about the pregnancy but have a few questions. She looks
nervously at her hands during the interview and sighs loudly. Considering the concept of
communication, which statement does the nurse know to be most accurate? The woman is:
a. Excited about her pregnancy but nervous about the labor.
b. Exhibiting verbal and nonverbal behaviors that do not match.
c. Excited about her pregnancy, but her husband is not and this is upsetting to her.
d. Not excited about her pregnancy but believes the nurse will negatively respond to
her if she states this.
ANS: B
Communication is all behaviors, conscious and unconscious, verbal and nonverbal. All
behaviors have meaning. Her behavior does not imply that she is nervous about labor, upset
by her husband, or worried about the nurse’s response.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing (Analysis) REF: p. 28
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
2. Receiving is a part of the communication process. Which receiver is most likely to
misinterpret a message sent by a health care professional?
a. Well-adjusted adolescent who came in for a sports physical
b. Recovering alcoholic who came in for a basic physical examination
c. Man whose wife has just been diagnosed with lung cancer
d. Man with a hearing impairment who uses sign language to communicate and who
has an interpreter with him
ANS: C
The receiver attaches meaning determined by his or her experiences, culture, self-concept, and
current physical and emotional states. The man whose wife has just been diagnosed with lung
cancer may be experiencing emotions that affect his receiving.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing (Analysis) REF: p. 28
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
3. The nurse makes which adjustment in the physical environment to promote the success of an
interview?
a. Reduces noise by turning off televisions and radios
b. Reduces the distance between the interviewer and the patient to 2 feet or less
c. Provides a dim light that makes the room cozy and helps the patient relax
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d. Arranges seating across a desk or table to allow the patient some personal space
ANS: A
The nurse should reduce noise by turning off the television, radio, and other unnecessary
equipment, because multiple stimuli are confusing. The interviewer and patient should be
approximately 4 to 5 feet apart; the room should be well-lit, enabling the interviewer and
patient to see each other clearly. Having a table or desk in between the two people creates the
idea of a barrier; equal-status seating, at eye level, is better.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: p. 29
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
4. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid his or her memory later.
Which statement is true regarding note-taking?
a. Note-taking may impede the nurse’s observation of the patient’s nonverbal
behaviors.
b. Note-taking allows the patient to continue at his or her own pace as the nurse
records what is said.
c. Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention away from the patient, resulting in an
increased comfort level.
d. Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye contact with the patient, which may
increase his or her level of comfort.
ANS: A
The use of history forms and note-taking may be unavoidable. However, the nurse must be
aware that note-taking during the interview has disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often
and shifts the attention away from the patient, which diminishes his or her sense of
importance. Note-taking may also interrupt the patient’s narrative flow, and it impedes the
observation of the patient’s nonverbal behavior.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 30
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
5. The nurse asks, “I would like to ask you some questions about your health and your usual
daily activities so that we can better plan your stay here.” This question is found at the
phase of the interview process.
a. Summary
b. Closing
c. Body
d. Opening or introduction
ANS: D
When gathering a complete history, the nurse should give the reason for the interview during
the opening or introduction phase of the interview, not during or at the end of the interview.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 31
, 3
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
6. A woman has just entered the emergency department after being battered by her husband. The
nurse needs to get some information from her to begin treatment. What is the best choice for
an opening phase of the interview with this patient?
a. “Hello, Nancy, my name is Mrs. C.”
b. “Hello, Mrs. H., my name is Mrs. C. It sure is cold today!”
c. “Mrs. H., my name is Mrs. C. How are you?”
d. “Mrs. H., my name is Mrs. C. I’ll need to ask you a few questions about what
happened.”
ANS: D
Address the person by using his or her surname. The nurse should introduce him or herself
and give the reason for the interview. Friendly small talk is not needed to build rapport.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: p. 31
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
7. During an interview, the nurse states, “You mentioned having shortness of breath. Tell me
more about that.” Which verbal skill is used with this statement?
a.Reflection
b.Facilitation
c.Direct question
d.Open-ended question
ANS: D
The open-ended question asks for narrative information. It states the topic to be discussed but
only in general terms. The nurse should use it to begin the interview, to introduce a new
section of questions, and whenever the person introduces a new topic.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 31
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
8. A patient has finished giving the nurse information about the reason he is seeking care. When
reviewing the data, the nurse finds that some information about past hospitalizations is
missing. At this point, which statement by the nurse would be most appropriate to gather these
data?
a. “Mr. Y., at your age, surely you have been hospitalized before!”
b. “Mr. Y., I just need permission to get your medical records from County Medical.”
c. “Mr. Y., you mentioned that you have been hospitalized on several occasions.
Would you tell me more about that?”
d. “Mr. Y., I just need to get some additional information about your past
hospitalizations. When was the last time you were admitted for chest pain?”
ANS: D
Chapter 03: The Interview
Jarvis: Physical Examination & Health Assessment, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is conducting an interview with a woman who has recently learned that she is
pregnant and who has come to the clinic today to begin prenatal care. The woman states that
she and her husband are excited about the pregnancy but have a few questions. She looks
nervously at her hands during the interview and sighs loudly. Considering the concept of
communication, which statement does the nurse know to be most accurate? The woman is:
a. Excited about her pregnancy but nervous about the labor.
b. Exhibiting verbal and nonverbal behaviors that do not match.
c. Excited about her pregnancy, but her husband is not and this is upsetting to her.
d. Not excited about her pregnancy but believes the nurse will negatively respond to
her if she states this.
ANS: B
Communication is all behaviors, conscious and unconscious, verbal and nonverbal. All
behaviors have meaning. Her behavior does not imply that she is nervous about labor, upset
by her husband, or worried about the nurse’s response.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing (Analysis) REF: p. 28
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
2. Receiving is a part of the communication process. Which receiver is most likely to
misinterpret a message sent by a health care professional?
a. Well-adjusted adolescent who came in for a sports physical
b. Recovering alcoholic who came in for a basic physical examination
c. Man whose wife has just been diagnosed with lung cancer
d. Man with a hearing impairment who uses sign language to communicate and who
has an interpreter with him
ANS: C
The receiver attaches meaning determined by his or her experiences, culture, self-concept, and
current physical and emotional states. The man whose wife has just been diagnosed with lung
cancer may be experiencing emotions that affect his receiving.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing (Analysis) REF: p. 28
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
3. The nurse makes which adjustment in the physical environment to promote the success of an
interview?
a. Reduces noise by turning off televisions and radios
b. Reduces the distance between the interviewer and the patient to 2 feet or less
c. Provides a dim light that makes the room cozy and helps the patient relax
,2
d. Arranges seating across a desk or table to allow the patient some personal space
ANS: A
The nurse should reduce noise by turning off the television, radio, and other unnecessary
equipment, because multiple stimuli are confusing. The interviewer and patient should be
approximately 4 to 5 feet apart; the room should be well-lit, enabling the interviewer and
patient to see each other clearly. Having a table or desk in between the two people creates the
idea of a barrier; equal-status seating, at eye level, is better.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: p. 29
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
4. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid his or her memory later.
Which statement is true regarding note-taking?
a. Note-taking may impede the nurse’s observation of the patient’s nonverbal
behaviors.
b. Note-taking allows the patient to continue at his or her own pace as the nurse
records what is said.
c. Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention away from the patient, resulting in an
increased comfort level.
d. Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye contact with the patient, which may
increase his or her level of comfort.
ANS: A
The use of history forms and note-taking may be unavoidable. However, the nurse must be
aware that note-taking during the interview has disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often
and shifts the attention away from the patient, which diminishes his or her sense of
importance. Note-taking may also interrupt the patient’s narrative flow, and it impedes the
observation of the patient’s nonverbal behavior.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 30
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
5. The nurse asks, “I would like to ask you some questions about your health and your usual
daily activities so that we can better plan your stay here.” This question is found at the
phase of the interview process.
a. Summary
b. Closing
c. Body
d. Opening or introduction
ANS: D
When gathering a complete history, the nurse should give the reason for the interview during
the opening or introduction phase of the interview, not during or at the end of the interview.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 31
, 3
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
6. A woman has just entered the emergency department after being battered by her husband. The
nurse needs to get some information from her to begin treatment. What is the best choice for
an opening phase of the interview with this patient?
a. “Hello, Nancy, my name is Mrs. C.”
b. “Hello, Mrs. H., my name is Mrs. C. It sure is cold today!”
c. “Mrs. H., my name is Mrs. C. How are you?”
d. “Mrs. H., my name is Mrs. C. I’ll need to ask you a few questions about what
happened.”
ANS: D
Address the person by using his or her surname. The nurse should introduce him or herself
and give the reason for the interview. Friendly small talk is not needed to build rapport.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: p. 31
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
7. During an interview, the nurse states, “You mentioned having shortness of breath. Tell me
more about that.” Which verbal skill is used with this statement?
a.Reflection
b.Facilitation
c.Direct question
d.Open-ended question
ANS: D
The open-ended question asks for narrative information. It states the topic to be discussed but
only in general terms. The nurse should use it to begin the interview, to introduce a new
section of questions, and whenever the person introduces a new topic.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 31
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
8. A patient has finished giving the nurse information about the reason he is seeking care. When
reviewing the data, the nurse finds that some information about past hospitalizations is
missing. At this point, which statement by the nurse would be most appropriate to gather these
data?
a. “Mr. Y., at your age, surely you have been hospitalized before!”
b. “Mr. Y., I just need permission to get your medical records from County Medical.”
c. “Mr. Y., you mentioned that you have been hospitalized on several occasions.
Would you tell me more about that?”
d. “Mr. Y., I just need to get some additional information about your past
hospitalizations. When was the last time you were admitted for chest pain?”
ANS: D
