The Psychiatric Interview – Summary Notes and
Study Outline (Carlat 4th Edition)
The Psychiatric Interview – 100 Q&A (Carlat 4th
Edition)
Part 1: The Basics & Beginning the Interview
1. What is the primary goal of the psychiatric interview?
a) To make a definitive diagnosis
b) To begin a therapeutic relationship and collect a diagnostic assessment
c) To write a prescription
d) To conduct a psychological test
2. The "matrix" of the psychiatric interview is composed of which two
primary elements?
a) History and Physical Exam
b) Content and Process
c) Diagnosis and Treatment
d) Cognition and Affect
3. Which of the following is part of the "process" of the interview?
a) The patient's chief complaint
b) The patient's medication list
c) The patient's body language and your emotional reactions
d) The patient's family history
4. According to Carlat, what is the single most important rule of the
psychiatric interview?
a) Ensure patient safety
b) Listen attentively and follow the patient's lead
c) Maintain professional boundaries
d) Complete the interview within 60 minutes
, 5. The initial "open-ended" phase of the interview should begin with what
kind of question?
a) A yes/no question
b) A multiple-choice question
c) A "how" or "what" question
d) A question about past medical history
6. What is the recommended opening question to start the body of the
interview?
a) "What brings you here today?"
b) "Are you feeling depressed?"
c) "What is your diagnosis?"
d) "Can you tell me about your childhood?"
7. Why is it important to avoid "why" questions early in the interview?
a) They are too complex for patients to answer.
b) They can sound accusatory and make patients defensive.
c) They are always irrelevant to the diagnosis.
d) They are considered unethical.
8. The technique of "echoing" involves:
a) Repeating the last word or phrase a patient says to encourage elaboration
b) Yelling to get a patient's attention
c) Agreeing with everything the patient says
d) Using the patient's exact words in your note
Part 2: The Chief Complaint & History of Present Illness (HPI)
9. A well-documented chief complaint should be:
a) A detailed summary of the HPI
b) A direct quote from the patient regarding their main reason for presenting
c) The interviewer's interpretation of the problem
d) The first diagnosis you are considering
, 10.When exploring the History of Present Illness (HPI), which mnemonic is
useful for gathering details?
a) ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
b) SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan)
c) OLD CARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating/Alleviating, Radiation, Timing, Severity)
d) FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time)
11.What does the "C" in the "OLD CARTS" mnemonic stand for?
a) Cause
b) Character
c) Complaint
d) Course
12.When a patient gives a vague answer, the best follow-up technique is to:
a) Move on to the next topic to save time.
b) Ask a series of closed-ended questions.
c) Gently press for specifics using "what" or "how" questions.
d) Assume you know what they mean.
13.The "longitudinal history" of the present illness refers to:
a) A detailed family history
b) The course of the illness from its onset to the present day
c) A review of all body systems
d) The sequence of symptoms in a single day
Part 3: The Past Psychiatric History
14.The past psychiatric history should include all EXCEPT:
a) Previous hospitalizations
b) Previous medication trials and responses
c) Previous psychotherapy
d) The psychiatric history of distant relatives
15.What is a crucial question to ask about past medication trials?
a) "Did you like your doctor?"
b) "What was the dosage, and what were the positive and negative effects?"
Study Outline (Carlat 4th Edition)
The Psychiatric Interview – 100 Q&A (Carlat 4th
Edition)
Part 1: The Basics & Beginning the Interview
1. What is the primary goal of the psychiatric interview?
a) To make a definitive diagnosis
b) To begin a therapeutic relationship and collect a diagnostic assessment
c) To write a prescription
d) To conduct a psychological test
2. The "matrix" of the psychiatric interview is composed of which two
primary elements?
a) History and Physical Exam
b) Content and Process
c) Diagnosis and Treatment
d) Cognition and Affect
3. Which of the following is part of the "process" of the interview?
a) The patient's chief complaint
b) The patient's medication list
c) The patient's body language and your emotional reactions
d) The patient's family history
4. According to Carlat, what is the single most important rule of the
psychiatric interview?
a) Ensure patient safety
b) Listen attentively and follow the patient's lead
c) Maintain professional boundaries
d) Complete the interview within 60 minutes
, 5. The initial "open-ended" phase of the interview should begin with what
kind of question?
a) A yes/no question
b) A multiple-choice question
c) A "how" or "what" question
d) A question about past medical history
6. What is the recommended opening question to start the body of the
interview?
a) "What brings you here today?"
b) "Are you feeling depressed?"
c) "What is your diagnosis?"
d) "Can you tell me about your childhood?"
7. Why is it important to avoid "why" questions early in the interview?
a) They are too complex for patients to answer.
b) They can sound accusatory and make patients defensive.
c) They are always irrelevant to the diagnosis.
d) They are considered unethical.
8. The technique of "echoing" involves:
a) Repeating the last word or phrase a patient says to encourage elaboration
b) Yelling to get a patient's attention
c) Agreeing with everything the patient says
d) Using the patient's exact words in your note
Part 2: The Chief Complaint & History of Present Illness (HPI)
9. A well-documented chief complaint should be:
a) A detailed summary of the HPI
b) A direct quote from the patient regarding their main reason for presenting
c) The interviewer's interpretation of the problem
d) The first diagnosis you are considering
, 10.When exploring the History of Present Illness (HPI), which mnemonic is
useful for gathering details?
a) ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
b) SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan)
c) OLD CARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating/Alleviating, Radiation, Timing, Severity)
d) FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time)
11.What does the "C" in the "OLD CARTS" mnemonic stand for?
a) Cause
b) Character
c) Complaint
d) Course
12.When a patient gives a vague answer, the best follow-up technique is to:
a) Move on to the next topic to save time.
b) Ask a series of closed-ended questions.
c) Gently press for specifics using "what" or "how" questions.
d) Assume you know what they mean.
13.The "longitudinal history" of the present illness refers to:
a) A detailed family history
b) The course of the illness from its onset to the present day
c) A review of all body systems
d) The sequence of symptoms in a single day
Part 3: The Past Psychiatric History
14.The past psychiatric history should include all EXCEPT:
a) Previous hospitalizations
b) Previous medication trials and responses
c) Previous psychotherapy
d) The psychiatric history of distant relatives
15.What is a crucial question to ask about past medication trials?
a) "Did you like your doctor?"
b) "What was the dosage, and what were the positive and negative effects?"
