Des Jardins: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment of Respiratory
Disease, 6th Edition
Chapter 01: The Patient Interview
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The main purpose of a patient interview is to:
a. review data with the patient.
b. gather subjective data from the patient.
c. gather objective data from the respiratory therapist.
d. fill out the history form or checklist.
ANS: B
During the interview, the patient provides his/her opinion (subjective data) on the
situation. The history should be done before the interview. While data can be reviewed, that
is not the primary purpose of the interview.
REF: p. 3
2. For there to be a successful interview, the respiratory therapist must:
1. provide leading questions to guide the patient.
2. be an active listener.
3. reassure the patient.
4. have genuine concern.
, a. 2, 4
b. 1, 3
c. 1, 2, 4
d. 1, 2, 3, 4
ANS: A
The personal qualities that a respiratory therapist must 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.
REF: p. 3
3. The patient’s history states that her chief compliant is shortness of breath. During the
interview, the respiratory therapist should be observant for:
a. how many words the patient speaks with each breath.
b. changes in the pitch of the patient’s voice.
c. the use of a medication inhaler.
d. productivity of the patient’s cough.
ANS: A
A patient who is short of breath (dyspneic) will not be able to speak in full sentences. The
other listed options do not relate to dyspnea.
REF: p. 3
4. The physical setting for the interview should include all of the following EXCEPT:
a. minimize or prevent interruptions.
, b. ensure privacy during discussions.
c. interviewer is the same sex as the patient to prevent bias.
d. be comfortable for the patient and interviewer.
ANS: C
An interviewer of either gender, who acts professionally, should be able to interview a
patient of either gender. The other listed options are important to have a successful
interview.
REF: p. 3
5. The open-ended question format is generally used to:
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. 1, 3
b. 2, 4
c. 1, 2, 3
d. 1, 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.
, REF: p. 4
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, 4
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.
REF: p. 4
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.
Disease, 6th Edition
Chapter 01: The Patient Interview
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The main purpose of a patient interview is to:
a. review data with the patient.
b. gather subjective data from the patient.
c. gather objective data from the respiratory therapist.
d. fill out the history form or checklist.
ANS: B
During the interview, the patient provides his/her opinion (subjective data) on the
situation. The history should be done before the interview. While data can be reviewed, that
is not the primary purpose of the interview.
REF: p. 3
2. For there to be a successful interview, the respiratory therapist must:
1. provide leading questions to guide the patient.
2. be an active listener.
3. reassure the patient.
4. have genuine concern.
, a. 2, 4
b. 1, 3
c. 1, 2, 4
d. 1, 2, 3, 4
ANS: A
The personal qualities that a respiratory therapist must 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.
REF: p. 3
3. The patient’s history states that her chief compliant is shortness of breath. During the
interview, the respiratory therapist should be observant for:
a. how many words the patient speaks with each breath.
b. changes in the pitch of the patient’s voice.
c. the use of a medication inhaler.
d. productivity of the patient’s cough.
ANS: A
A patient who is short of breath (dyspneic) will not be able to speak in full sentences. The
other listed options do not relate to dyspnea.
REF: p. 3
4. The physical setting for the interview should include all of the following EXCEPT:
a. minimize or prevent interruptions.
, b. ensure privacy during discussions.
c. interviewer is the same sex as the patient to prevent bias.
d. be comfortable for the patient and interviewer.
ANS: C
An interviewer of either gender, who acts professionally, should be able to interview a
patient of either gender. The other listed options are important to have a successful
interview.
REF: p. 3
5. The open-ended question format is generally used to:
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. 1, 3
b. 2, 4
c. 1, 2, 3
d. 1, 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.
, REF: p. 4
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, 4
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.
REF: p. 4
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.
