Q.1 What is the primary goal of effective communication in healthcare?
To entertain the patient
To ensure patient understanding and compliance
To reduce hospital costs
To document patient history
Explanation - Effective communication in healthcare ensures that patients understand their conditions and treatment plans, which improves compliance and health outcomes.
Correct answer is: To ensure patient understanding and compliance
Q.2 Which communication style is generally most effective when delivering bad news to patients?
Aggressive
Passive
Assertive
Dismissive
Explanation - Assertive communication respects patient emotions, conveys information clearly, and allows for empathy and support during difficult discussions.
Correct answer is: Assertive
Q.3 Active listening in healthcare involves:
Interrupting to clarify
Focusing fully on the speaker and responding thoughtfully
Checking phone while listening
Providing immediate solutions without listening
Explanation - Active listening requires attention, understanding, and thoughtful responses to ensure the patient feels heard and understood.
Correct answer is: Focusing fully on the speaker and responding thoughtfully
Q.4 Which barrier can most negatively affect patient-provider communication?
Clear language
Cultural differences
Eye contact
Active listening
Explanation - Cultural differences can create misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and affect trust between patients and healthcare providers.
Correct answer is: Cultural differences
Q.5 Nonverbal communication in healthcare includes all except:
Facial expressions
Gestures
Written instructions
Body posture
Explanation - Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, gestures, body posture, and tone of voice. Written instructions are verbal/written communication.
Correct answer is: Written instructions
Q.6 Empathy in healthcare communication primarily helps to:
Increase hospital revenue
Strengthen patient trust and rapport
Reduce the need for medication
Speed up consultations
Explanation - Empathy allows healthcare providers to understand patient feelings, fostering trust and a therapeutic relationship.
Correct answer is: Strengthen patient trust and rapport
Q.7 SBAR is a communication tool in healthcare. What does 'B' stand for?
Background
Brief
Barrier
Balance
Explanation - SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) helps standardize communication, particularly in clinical handoffs.
Correct answer is: Background
Q.8 Which of the following is a common outcome of poor communication in healthcare?
Patient satisfaction increases
Medical errors increase
Treatment costs decrease
Staff efficiency increases
Explanation - Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, errors in treatment, and decreased patient safety.
Correct answer is: Medical errors increase
Q.9 Patient-centered communication focuses on:
Provider convenience
Patient needs, preferences, and values
Hospital efficiency
Standard scripts only
Explanation - Patient-centered communication tailors interactions to each patient's concerns, improving outcomes and satisfaction.
Correct answer is: Patient needs, preferences, and values
Q.10 Reflective listening in healthcare means:
Repeating the exact words of the patient
Ignoring patient statements
Paraphrasing to show understanding
Offering solutions immediately
Explanation - Reflective listening demonstrates understanding and empathy by restating the patient’s message in the listener’s own words.
Correct answer is: Paraphrasing to show understanding
Q.11 Which factor can improve communication with patients who have low health literacy?
Using complex medical terms
Speaking slowly and using simple language
Ignoring their questions
Relying on written instructions only
Explanation - Adapting language to the patient’s comprehension level ensures better understanding and adherence to treatment plans.
Correct answer is: Speaking slowly and using simple language
Q.12 The 'teach-back' method in healthcare is used to:
Test the patient’s knowledge formally
Confirm patient understanding by asking them to repeat instructions
Fill out medical forms
Measure staff efficiency
Explanation - Teach-back ensures patients correctly understand their care instructions, reducing errors and improving outcomes.
Correct answer is: Confirm patient understanding by asking them to repeat instructions
Q.13 Which of the following is a verbal barrier in healthcare communication?
Using technical jargon
Nodding and smiling
Maintaining eye contact
Gesturing towards instructions
Explanation - Technical language may confuse patients, making verbal communication ineffective.
Correct answer is: Using technical jargon
Q.14 In multicultural healthcare settings, providers should:
Assume all patients understand the same way
Ask about cultural preferences and adapt communication
Ignore cultural factors
Use only written instructions
Explanation - Culturally sensitive communication respects differences and improves patient understanding and trust.
Correct answer is: Ask about cultural preferences and adapt communication
Q.15 Which technique helps reduce patient anxiety during consultations?
Interrupting frequently
Explaining procedures clearly and calmly
Speaking in a monotone
Ignoring patient questions
Explanation - Clear explanations and a calm tone reduce uncertainty and anxiety, improving the patient’s experience.
Correct answer is: Explaining procedures clearly and calmly
Q.16 Feedback in healthcare communication should be:
Specific and constructive
Vague and general
Negative only
Avoided to save time
Explanation - Constructive feedback helps patients and staff improve understanding, adherence, and performance.
Correct answer is: Specific and constructive
Q.17 Which communication approach is best for patients with hearing impairments?
Shouting instructions
Using visual aids and gestures
Ignoring them
Speaking quickly
Explanation - Visual aids, gestures, and written communication ensure accessibility for patients with hearing impairments.
Correct answer is: Using visual aids and gestures
Q.18 Therapeutic communication primarily aims to:
Build a professional relationship and support patient well-being
Entertain the patient
Reduce staff workload
Promote hospital marketing
Explanation - Therapeutic communication uses empathy, active listening, and respect to support healing and trust.
Correct answer is: Build a professional relationship and support patient well-being
Q.19 Silence can be a useful communication tool because it:
Shows disinterest
Allows the patient time to think and express feelings
Confuses the patient
Indicates authority
Explanation - Strategic silence gives patients space to reflect, facilitating deeper conversation and emotional expression.
Correct answer is: Allows the patient time to think and express feelings
Q.20 Which of the following is an example of closed-ended questioning?
How are you feeling today?
Can you rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10?
Tell me more about your symptoms.
What concerns do you have about your treatment?
Explanation - Closed-ended questions have limited responses and are often used for quantifiable information.
Correct answer is: Can you rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10?
Q.21 Clarifying questions in healthcare help to:
Ensure accurate understanding
Distract the patient
Speed up consultations unnecessarily
Ignore patient concerns
Explanation - Clarifying questions reduce misunderstandings and confirm that both patient and provider are aligned in communication.
Correct answer is: Ensure accurate understanding
Q.22 Paraverbal communication refers to:
Written messages
Tone, pitch, and pace of speech
Body posture
Gestures
Explanation - Paraverbal communication includes the vocal elements of speech that affect how messages are perceived.
Correct answer is: Tone, pitch, and pace of speech
Q.23 Patient autonomy in communication means:
Making all decisions for the patient
Supporting patients to make informed choices
Ignoring patient preferences
Limiting information provided
Explanation - Respecting patient autonomy involves providing information and guidance while allowing patients to decide about their care.
Correct answer is: Supporting patients to make informed choices
Q.24 Which of these is an example of motivational interviewing in healthcare?
Telling a patient exactly what to do
Encouraging the patient to explore ambivalence and make personal decisions
Ignoring patient concerns
Providing only written instructions
Explanation - Motivational interviewing helps patients resolve ambivalence and enhances intrinsic motivation to change behaviors.
Correct answer is: Encouraging the patient to explore ambivalence and make personal decisions
Q.25 Which is an effective strategy for communicating with anxious patients?
Rushing through instructions
Maintaining eye contact and a calm tone
Using medical jargon
Ignoring their questions
Explanation - A calm demeanor and direct eye contact can reduce anxiety and build patient trust during interactions.
Correct answer is: Maintaining eye contact and a calm tone