Patient Communication Skills Flashcards
7 cards from real APC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Communication Skills flashcards as text
A patient reports they stopped taking their antihypertensive because they 'felt fine.' Which communication technique is MOST appropriate to address this?
Answer: Explore the patient's beliefs about their condition using open-ended questions
Exploring illness beliefs with open-ended questions helps understand the patient's perspective and enables targeted, collaborative counseling on adherence.
When providing medication information to a patient with a cognitive impairment, which approach is MOST appropriate?
Answer: Simplify language, use visual aids, and involve a trusted caregiver with the patient's consent
Simplifying language, using visual aids, and including a caregiver (with consent) supports comprehension while preserving the patient's dignity and autonomy.
Which statement BEST reflects ethical use of an interpreter when counseling a patient with limited English proficiency?
Answer: A trained professional interpreter ensures accuracy, confidentiality, and impartiality
Trained professional interpreters provide accurate, confidential, and impartial translation, which is critical for safe medication counseling.
A patient is embarrassed to discuss a sensitive medication (e.g., for erectile dysfunction). How should the pharmacist CREATE a safe environment?
Answer: Use a private counseling area and a non-judgmental, matter-of-fact tone
A private space and a non-judgmental tone reduce stigma and encourage open communication about sensitive health topics.
Which question is an example of a leading question that should be AVOIDED during patient counseling?
Answer: 'You've been taking this correctly, haven't you?'
Leading questions like 'You've been taking this correctly, haven't you?' presuppose an answer and reduce the likelihood of honest disclosure.
A patient discloses they have been self-medicating with herbal supplements alongside their prescribed anticoagulant. The pharmacist's FIRST priority is to:
Answer: Thank the patient for sharing, assess the interaction risk, and provide evidence-based guidance
Thanking the patient for disclosing encourages openness, and assessing the interaction (e.g., St. John's Wort and warfarin) is a patient safety priority.
In an OSCE station, a pharmacist candidate is asked to counsel a patient on insulin injection technique. Which action BEST demonstrates effective communication?
Answer: Demonstrate the technique on a pen device and then ask the patient to show back the steps
Demonstrating technique and then using show-back (teach-back for skills) confirms the patient can safely perform the procedure.