Question 1

Which of the following is NOT one of the Cs of communication?

Accepted Answer

"Current" is not traditionally listed among the key principles (or "Cs") of effective communication, which emphasize clarity, conciseness, completeness, and cohesiveness to ensure the message is well understood.

Question 2

Which of the following is most appropriately related to nonverbal communication as a language?

Accepted Answer

Nonverbal communication is often considered to be a universal language, as we learn nonverbal language before we learn verbal language. Infants begin to communicate nonverbally through facial expressions and gestures before they develop the ability to speak. Therefore, option A is the most appropriately related to nonverbal communication as a language.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes how the medical assistant should be positioned when communicating with a patient?

Accepted Answer

The best position for a medical assistant during communication with a patient is to maintain a close, but comfortable, distance to observe verbal and nonverbal cues. Standing directly over the patient may be intimidating, sitting too far away may come across as disinterested, and sitting on the exam table may be unprofessional.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the interview technique used when asking the patient,"What type of care will you have during your recovery?"

Accepted Answer

The question is an open-ended question as it allows the patient to provide a detailed response rather than a simple "yes" or "no" answer.

Question 5

Which of the following is the highest level of the hierarchy of needs?

Accepted Answer

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the highest level is self-actualization, which refers to the realization of one's full potential and the pursuit of personal growth and fulfillment. Options A, C, and D are all related to the lower levels of the hierarchy, such as esteem and self-esteem needs.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the major reason communication is of the utmost importance in the health care setting?

Accepted Answer

Communication serves as the foundation for all patient care. Without effective communication, healthcare providers may not be able to obtain accurate medical histories, understand patients' concerns or needs, or provide appropriate treatment or education. Good communication fosters trust and understanding between the patient and healthcare team and can lead to better health outcomes. Patient satisfaction and a friendly office environment are important, but they are not the primary reasons why communication is necessary in a healthcare setting.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes what must be considered when formulating the message in the communication cycle?

Accepted Answer

The four modes of communication (verbal, non-verbal, written, and visual) must be considered to effectively formulate a message in the communication cycle, ensuring the message is understood as intended.

Question 8

Which of the following is the type of question that is frequently asked by individuals seeking a new physician and clinic?

Accepted Answer

When seeking a new physician and clinic, it is important to find a doctor who will listen to patients and consider their concerns. This helps to build a good patient-doctor relationship and ensure that patients receive the best possible care. Questions about time management and injection techniques are important but not as critical as finding a doctor who will listen to their patients. Asking whether a doctor will prescribe what a patient wants is not a good question because doctors have a responsibility to prescribe medication based on medical necessity, not patient preference.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the interview technique used when asking the patient,"Are you still taking your medication?"

Accepted Answer

The question "Are you still taking your medication?" is a closed-ended question as it only allows for a simple yes or no answer.

Question 10

The principle barrier to communication at the point of care is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Emotional tension can create a barrier to effective communication between healthcare providers and patients at the point of care. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as anxiety about a medical condition, fear of the unknown, or concerns about personal privacy. It is important for providers to be aware of these potential barriers and work to create an environment that is supportive and welcoming for patients. While old age and speech impairment can also create communication challenges, they are not the primary barrier at the point of care.

Question 11

Facial expression is considered one of the most important and observed nonverbal communicators. Why is this?

Accepted Answer

Each part of the face - eyes, mouth, eyebrows, etc. - can convey a different emotion or message. Thus, facial expressions are highly influential in nonverbal communication.

Question 12

Which of the following takes place after the receiver has decoded the message sent by the sender?

Accepted Answer

Feedback is the response sent by the receiver to the sender to let them know if the message was received and understood correctly. Delivery refers to the physical transmission of the message, summary is a process of condensing the message into key points, and concentration is a skill used by the receiver to focus on the message being sent.

Question 13

Which of the following communication styles is direct and in-your-face?

Accepted Answer

A direct and in-your-face communication style is typically low-context, meaning that most of the message is conveyed through explicit verbal communication rather than relying on context or nonverbal cues. The other options do not necessarily describe a direct or confrontational style, and they are not directly related to the level of directness in communication.

Question 14

Which of the following is the person who decodes the message?

Accepted Answer

The receiver is the person who receives the message and decodes it, interpreting its meaning.

Question 15

Which of the following is the founder of humanistic psychology and the creator of the hierarchy of needs?

Accepted Answer

Abraham Maslow is the founder of humanistic psychology and the creator of the hierarchy of needs. Abraham Martin, Abraham Lincoln, and Abraham Masters are not associated with these fields.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT an example of bias or prejudice in today's society?

Accepted Answer

Choice A is a statement of fact and does not contain any bias or prejudice. Choices B, C, and D contain bias or prejudice towards a particular gender, value system, or financial status, respectively.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the defense mechanism used when a patient does not react by showing emotion after hearing bad news?

Accepted Answer

Denial is a defense mechanism in which a person refuses to acknowledge a reality or truth. In this case, the patient is not showing emotion as a way of denying the bad news.

Question 18

Mrs.Love has just seen the physician and,as you walk her from the examining room,she says,"Dr.Med sure was short with me today." You respond,"Did you get to spend all the time you needed?" Which of the following best describes the communication skill used in your response?

Accepted Answer

The response given by the speaker is an example of feedback. Feedback is a communication skill that involves responding to the message of the speaker in a way that shows that the message has been received and understood. In this situation, the speaker responded to Mrs.Love's statement with a question that demonstrated listening and showed an interest in her experience.

Question 19

Which of the following must be present to achieve effective verbal and nonverbal communication?

Accepted Answer

Congruency refers to the alignment between verbal and nonverbal communication. It is important to have congruent communication to achieve effective communication. Masking refers to hiding one's true emotions or thoughts, clustering refers to grouping similar items together, and projection refers to attributing one's thoughts or emotions onto someone else.

Question 20

When communicating within the health profession,which would not be considered a technique to keep in mind?

Accepted Answer

Encouraging patients to not verbalize their feelings goes against the concept of open communication and may lead to misunderstandings or unresolved issues. All other choices are important techniques to keep in mind when communicating within the health profession.

Quiz 5: Therapeutic Communication Skills