Chapter 01: The History and Interviewing Process
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which e i ld be c ide ed a leadi g e i ?
a. Plea e de c ibe a a cia ed m m i h headache ?
b. Y d ge headache f e , d ?
c. Wha ac i i ie affec he e e i f headache ?
d. Wha ime f he da a e headache he m e e e?
e. Wha ie m ab headache?
ANS: B
Thi e i ld limi he i f ma i i he a ie a e . The he ch ice all he
patient more discretion about the extent of an answer.
TOP: Discipline: Behavioral Science MSC: Organ System: General
2. Which action would best promote accurate translations as well as confidentiality when the
ca egi e d e eak he a ie la g age?
a. Ask a person unfamiliar with the patient to translate.
b. Have a friend of the patient translate.
c. Ask simple leading questions that the patient may understand.
d. Use a neighbor as translator.
e. Involve the family with the translation.
ANS: A NURSINGTB.COM
Whe d eak he a ie la g age, famil membe f ie d ma ea
communication barrier and may have issues of confidentiality; a stranger as an interpreter is
less biased.
TOP: Discipline: Behavioral Science MSC: Organ System: General
3. Periods of silence during the interview can serve important purposes, such as:
a. allowing the clinician to catch up on documentation.
b. giving you a clue that you should speed up the interview.
c. providing time for reflection.
d. increasing the length of the visit.
e. promoting a calm environment.
ANS: C
Silence is a useful tool during interviews for the purposes of reflection, summoning of
courage, and displaying compassion. It is usually a clue for you to go slower and not to push
too hard.
TOP: Discipline: Behavioral Science MSC: Organ System: General
4. Which ech i e i m likel e l i he a ie de a di g f e i ?
a. Use phrases that are commonly used by other patients in the area.
b. U e he a ie e m if ible.
, c. Use language that keeps the patient from being expansive in his or her answer.
d. Use proper medical and technical terminology.
e. Use the simplest language possible.
ANS: B
To ensure that your questions have been correctly understood, be clear, and explicit while
i g he a ie idi m a d le el f de a di g.
TOP: Discipline: Behavioral Science MSC: Organ System: General
5. A a ie bec me e le d i g he hi a d a , Id ha e ime f all of this
c e ai .I eg ge back k. Y m a ia e e e ld be :
a. stop using open-ended questions and become more direct.
b. ask another open-ended question and insist on an answer.
c. ask questions about his anger and move closer to him.
d. acknowledge his anger and proceed with the history and examination.
e. ignore his displeasure and become more assertive about getting answers.
ANS: D
This is the only answer that resists the tendency for patient manipulation, pursues the
i f ma i , a d c f he a ie a ge .
TOP: Discipline: Behavioral Science MSC: Organ System: General
6. Whe e i i g a a ie ega di g alc h l i ake, he ell ha he i l a cial
di ke . Which i i ial e ei a ia e?
a. I m glad ha a ea e ible d i ke .
b. Ma e le h a e eall NURalc IhNGlic B.C
a he Ma e cial d i ke .
c. Wha am
S T
a d ha ki d f alc h l d
O d i k i a eek?
d. If l d i k ciall , eed ab al a ha i g a
de ig a ed d i e .
e. D he he e le i h eh ld c me alc h l?
ANS: C
Thi a e cla ifie he a ie em ih a ki g a leadi g e i bei g
judgmental.
TOP: Discipline: Behavioral Science MSC: Organ System: General
7. A 50-year-old man comes to the primary care clinic. He tells you he is worried because he has
had severe chest pains for the past 2 weeks. Which initial history interview question is most
appropriate?
a. Ca de c ibe he ai ?
b. The ai d e adia e a m, d e i ?
c. Ha e bee ea ed f a ie bef e?
d. D e fa he ha e hea di ea e?
e. A e he ai e af e ea ?
ANS: A
Initially, an open-e ded e i i a m e a ia e e e. Ca de c ibe he ai ?
is an open-ended question that offers clues to the chief concern.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which e i ld be c ide ed a leadi g e i ?
a. Plea e de c ibe a a cia ed m m i h headache ?
b. Y d ge headache f e , d ?
c. Wha ac i i ie affec he e e i f headache ?
d. Wha ime f he da a e headache he m e e e?
e. Wha ie m ab headache?
ANS: B
Thi e i ld limi he i f ma i i he a ie a e . The he ch ice all he
patient more discretion about the extent of an answer.
TOP: Discipline: Behavioral Science MSC: Organ System: General
2. Which action would best promote accurate translations as well as confidentiality when the
ca egi e d e eak he a ie la g age?
a. Ask a person unfamiliar with the patient to translate.
b. Have a friend of the patient translate.
c. Ask simple leading questions that the patient may understand.
d. Use a neighbor as translator.
e. Involve the family with the translation.
ANS: A NURSINGTB.COM
Whe d eak he a ie la g age, famil membe f ie d ma ea
communication barrier and may have issues of confidentiality; a stranger as an interpreter is
less biased.
TOP: Discipline: Behavioral Science MSC: Organ System: General
3. Periods of silence during the interview can serve important purposes, such as:
a. allowing the clinician to catch up on documentation.
b. giving you a clue that you should speed up the interview.
c. providing time for reflection.
d. increasing the length of the visit.
e. promoting a calm environment.
ANS: C
Silence is a useful tool during interviews for the purposes of reflection, summoning of
courage, and displaying compassion. It is usually a clue for you to go slower and not to push
too hard.
TOP: Discipline: Behavioral Science MSC: Organ System: General
4. Which ech i e i m likel e l i he a ie de a di g f e i ?
a. Use phrases that are commonly used by other patients in the area.
b. U e he a ie e m if ible.
, c. Use language that keeps the patient from being expansive in his or her answer.
d. Use proper medical and technical terminology.
e. Use the simplest language possible.
ANS: B
To ensure that your questions have been correctly understood, be clear, and explicit while
i g he a ie idi m a d le el f de a di g.
TOP: Discipline: Behavioral Science MSC: Organ System: General
5. A a ie bec me e le d i g he hi a d a , Id ha e ime f all of this
c e ai .I eg ge back k. Y m a ia e e e ld be :
a. stop using open-ended questions and become more direct.
b. ask another open-ended question and insist on an answer.
c. ask questions about his anger and move closer to him.
d. acknowledge his anger and proceed with the history and examination.
e. ignore his displeasure and become more assertive about getting answers.
ANS: D
This is the only answer that resists the tendency for patient manipulation, pursues the
i f ma i , a d c f he a ie a ge .
TOP: Discipline: Behavioral Science MSC: Organ System: General
6. Whe e i i g a a ie ega di g alc h l i ake, he ell ha he i l a cial
di ke . Which i i ial e ei a ia e?
a. I m glad ha a ea e ible d i ke .
b. Ma e le h a e eall NURalc IhNGlic B.C
a he Ma e cial d i ke .
c. Wha am
S T
a d ha ki d f alc h l d
O d i k i a eek?
d. If l d i k ciall , eed ab al a ha i g a
de ig a ed d i e .
e. D he he e le i h eh ld c me alc h l?
ANS: C
Thi a e cla ifie he a ie em ih a ki g a leadi g e i bei g
judgmental.
TOP: Discipline: Behavioral Science MSC: Organ System: General
7. A 50-year-old man comes to the primary care clinic. He tells you he is worried because he has
had severe chest pains for the past 2 weeks. Which initial history interview question is most
appropriate?
a. Ca de c ibe he ai ?
b. The ai d e adia e a m, d e i ?
c. Ha e bee ea ed f a ie bef e?
d. D e fa he ha e hea di ea e?
e. A e he ai e af e ea ?
ANS: A
Initially, an open-e ded e i i a m e a ia e e e. Ca de c ibe he ai ?
is an open-ended question that offers clues to the chief concern.
