,Des Jardins: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment of Respiratory Disease, 9th
Edition
Chapter 01: The Patient Interview
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The respiratory care practitioner 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
The interview is a meeting between the respiratory care practitioner and the patient. It
allows the collection of subjective data about the patient’s feelings regarding his/her
condition. The history should be done before the interview. Although data can be
reviewed, that isnot the primary purpose of the interview.
2. For there to be a successful interview, the respiratory therapist must:
a. provide leading questions to guide the patient.
b. reassure the patient.
c. be an active listener.
d. use medical terminology to show knowledge of the subject matter.
ANS: C
The personal qualities that a respUiratoSry tNher aTpi s t m uO
s t 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.
3. Which of the following would be found on a history form?
1. Age
2. Chief complaint
3. Present health
4. Family history
5. Health insurance providera. 1,
4
b. 2, 3
c. 3, 4, 5
d. 1, 2, 3, 4
ANS: D
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 forbilling purposes, would not be found on the history form.
, 4. External factors the respiratory care practitioner should make efforts to provide during an
interview include which of the following?
1. Minimize or prevent interruptions.
2. Ensure privacy during discussions.
3. Interviewer is the same sex as the patient to prevent bias.
4. Be comfortable for the patient and interviewer.
a. 1, 4
b. 2, 3
c. 1, 2, 4
d. 2, 3, 4
ANS: C
External factors, such as a good physical setting, enhance the interviewing process. Regardless of the
interview setting (the patient’s bedside, a crowded emergency room, an office in the hospital or clinic,
or the patient’s home), efforts should be made to (1) ensure privacy, (2) prevent interruptions, and (3)
secure a comfortable physical environment (e.g., comfortable room temperature, sufficient lighting,
absence of noise). An interviewer of either gender, who acts professionally, should be able to
interview a patient of either gender.
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 which of the
following?
1. Gather information when a patient introduces a new topic.
2. Introduce a new subject area.
3. Begin the interview process.
4. Gather specific information.
a. 4 NURSINGTB.COM
b. 1, 3
c. 1, 2, 3
d. 2, 3, 4
ANS: C
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.
6. The direct question interview format is used to:
1. speed up the interview.
2. let the patient fully explain his/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
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/her situation and possibly help the
respiratory therapist show empathy.
, 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.
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/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.
9. To have the most productive interviewing session, which of the following types of responses
to assist in the interview s hN
o u URld t I
S heGr N eB.sp T iratory tOherapist avoid?
a. Confrontation
b. Reflection
c. Facilitation
d. Distancing
ANS: D
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. Reflection helps the patient
focus on specific areas and continues in his/her own way. Facilitation encourages patients to say
more, to continue with the story. The respiratory therapist should avoid giving advice, using
avoidance language, and using distancing language.
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/herself for patient privacy.
a. 2
b. 2, 3
c. 1, 3, 4
d. 1, 2, 4 ANS: B
Edition
Chapter 01: The Patient Interview
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The respiratory care practitioner 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
The interview is a meeting between the respiratory care practitioner and the patient. It
allows the collection of subjective data about the patient’s feelings regarding his/her
condition. The history should be done before the interview. Although data can be
reviewed, that isnot the primary purpose of the interview.
2. For there to be a successful interview, the respiratory therapist must:
a. provide leading questions to guide the patient.
b. reassure the patient.
c. be an active listener.
d. use medical terminology to show knowledge of the subject matter.
ANS: C
The personal qualities that a respUiratoSry tNher aTpi s t m uO
s t 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.
3. Which of the following would be found on a history form?
1. Age
2. Chief complaint
3. Present health
4. Family history
5. Health insurance providera. 1,
4
b. 2, 3
c. 3, 4, 5
d. 1, 2, 3, 4
ANS: D
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 forbilling purposes, would not be found on the history form.
, 4. External factors the respiratory care practitioner should make efforts to provide during an
interview include which of the following?
1. Minimize or prevent interruptions.
2. Ensure privacy during discussions.
3. Interviewer is the same sex as the patient to prevent bias.
4. Be comfortable for the patient and interviewer.
a. 1, 4
b. 2, 3
c. 1, 2, 4
d. 2, 3, 4
ANS: C
External factors, such as a good physical setting, enhance the interviewing process. Regardless of the
interview setting (the patient’s bedside, a crowded emergency room, an office in the hospital or clinic,
or the patient’s home), efforts should be made to (1) ensure privacy, (2) prevent interruptions, and (3)
secure a comfortable physical environment (e.g., comfortable room temperature, sufficient lighting,
absence of noise). An interviewer of either gender, who acts professionally, should be able to
interview a patient of either gender.
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 which of the
following?
1. Gather information when a patient introduces a new topic.
2. Introduce a new subject area.
3. Begin the interview process.
4. Gather specific information.
a. 4 NURSINGTB.COM
b. 1, 3
c. 1, 2, 3
d. 2, 3, 4
ANS: C
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.
6. The direct question interview format is used to:
1. speed up the interview.
2. let the patient fully explain his/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
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/her situation and possibly help the
respiratory therapist show empathy.
, 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.
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/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.
9. To have the most productive interviewing session, which of the following types of responses
to assist in the interview s hN
o u URld t I
S heGr N eB.sp T iratory tOherapist avoid?
a. Confrontation
b. Reflection
c. Facilitation
d. Distancing
ANS: D
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. Reflection helps the patient
focus on specific areas and continues in his/her own way. Facilitation encourages patients to say
more, to continue with the story. The respiratory therapist should avoid giving advice, using
avoidance language, and using distancing language.
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/herself for patient privacy.
a. 2
b. 2, 3
c. 1, 3, 4
d. 1, 2, 4 ANS: B
