Communication & Interpersonal Skills Flashcards
7 cards from real ECFMG practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Communication & Interpersonal Skills flashcards as text
A patient with limited health literacy asks you to explain their hypertension diagnosis. Which strategy is most appropriate?
Answer: Use simple language and the teach-back method
Plain language combined with teach-back confirms comprehension and is the gold standard for low-literacy patients.
During a pediatric visit, the parent repeatedly answers questions directed at the 12-year-old patient. What is the best response?
Answer: Redirect questions to the child while acknowledging the parent's role
Engaging the adolescent directly respects their developing autonomy while maintaining the parent as a collaborative partner.
A patient appears tearful when you enter the room. What is the most therapeutic opening statement?
Answer: You seem upset — would you like to tell me what's going on?
Acknowledging observable emotional cues and inviting the patient to share creates psychological safety early in the encounter.
Which element of the Calgary-Cambridge model focuses most directly on understanding the patient's perspective?
Answer: Exploring the patient's ideas, concerns, and expectations
Eliciting the patient's ideas, concerns, and expectations (ICE) is central to the Calgary-Cambridge communication framework.
A patient admits to not taking prescribed medications due to cost. What is the most appropriate response?
Answer: Explore the barrier, express understanding, and discuss affordable alternatives
Acknowledging the financial barrier without judgment and collaboratively problem-solving improves adherence and the therapeutic relationship.
A patient's family demands that a terminal diagnosis be withheld from the patient. What is the most appropriate action?
Answer: Determine the patient's own preference regarding disclosure first
The patient's preference for information disclosure takes precedence over the family's wishes unless the patient lacks decision-making capacity.
Which approach best manages disagreement between two team members during patient handoff?
Answer: Raise the concern respectfully using 'I' statements and focus on patient safety
Assertive yet respectful communication focused on patient safety outcomes is the standard for interprofessional conflict resolution.