Communication Skills with Patients MCQs

1. Which of the following is MOST important in building patient trust?
(A) Clear and honest communication
(B) Using complex medical jargon
(C) Avoiding patient questions
(D) Rushing consultations

2. Active listening in patient communication means:
(A) Nodding without attention
(B) Paying full attention and responding appropriately
(C) Writing while the patient talks
(D) Interrupting frequently

3. Which of the following demonstrates empathy in communication?
(A) “I understand this must be difficult for you.”
(B) “You should not feel this way.”
(C) “Let’s just focus on treatment only.”
(D) “Ignore your emotions.”

4. Non-verbal communication includes:
(A) Eye contact, posture, gestures
(B) Writing prescriptions
(C) Medical records
(D) Laboratory results

5. Which is the best approach when explaining a diagnosis?
(A) Use simple, clear language the patient understands
(B) Use technical jargon only
(C) Avoid explaining risks
(D) Tell only partial information

6. What does the acronym “SOLER” represent in communication?
(A) Sit squarely, Open posture, Lean in, Eye contact, Relax
(B) Speak openly, Listen eagerly, Engage regularly
(C) Smile often, Learn empathy rapidly
(D) Stay objective, Listen effectively, Respond

7. A patient-centered communication style focuses on:
(A) Doctor’s authority
(B) Patient’s needs and preferences
(C) Hospital rules only
(D) Treatment costs only

8. Which of the following is a barrier to effective communication?
(A) Active listening
(B) Medical jargon
(C) Empathy
(D) Open body language

9. When a patient becomes emotional during consultation, the doctor should:
(A) Listen and show empathy
(B) Interrupt immediately
(C) Change the subject
(D) End the session quickly

10. Which question type encourages patients to share more information?
(A) Open-ended questions
(B) Closed-ended questions
(C) Leading questions
(D) Yes/No questions only

11. Which of the following is an example of open-ended question?
(A) “How are you feeling today?”
(B) “Are you okay?”
(C) “Do you have pain?”
(D) “Is it yes or no?”

12. Eye contact in communication conveys:
(A) Attention and respect
(B) Disinterest
(C) Aggression always
(D) Avoidance

13. Which skill helps clarify patient misunderstandings?
(A) Paraphrasing and summarizing
(B) Ignoring patient concerns
(C) Using silence only
(D) Avoiding explanation

14. In effective communication, silence can be useful to:
(A) Allow patients time to think and respond
(B) Show disinterest
(C) Avoid responsibility
(D) Delay treatment

15. Which of the following is an example of poor communication?
(A) Interrupting the patient frequently
(B) Listening actively
(C) Using simple language
(D) Showing empathy

16. Which is the BEST way to break bad news to a patient?
(A) Use the SPIKES protocol
(B) Deliver quickly without explanation
(C) Let family only decide
(D) Avoid emotional support

17. Professional communication with patients should always be:
(A) Respectful and non-judgmental
(B) Condescending
(C) Avoidant
(D) Argumentative

18. Which technique builds rapport with patients?
(A) Greeting warmly and addressing by name
(B) Avoiding small talk
(C) Speaking in monotone voice
(D) Ignoring personal concerns

19. Which of the following is a sign of ineffective communication?
(A) Patient confusion about treatment plan
(B) Patient understanding
(C) Patient adherence
(D) Patient satisfaction

20. Which strategy helps when dealing with anxious patients?
(A) Provide reassurance and clear explanations
(B) Avoid discussion of fears
(C) Speak quickly and move on
(D) Ignore non-verbal cues

21. Which of the following reflects cultural sensitivity in communication?
(A) Respecting cultural beliefs in treatment discussions
(B) Ignoring cultural values
(C) Imposing personal beliefs
(D) Avoiding diverse patients

22. What is the role of feedback in patient communication?
(A) Ensures message was understood correctly
(B) Replaces diagnosis
(C) Avoids treatment planning
(D) Eliminates patient autonomy

23. Which of the following is an example of empathetic response?
(A) “It sounds like you are worried about the side effects.”
(B) “Don’t worry, it’s nothing.”
(C) “Just take the medicine, no need to talk.”
(D) “Why are you upset?”

24. Which approach helps manage an angry patient?
(A) Stay calm, listen, and validate feelings
(B) Raise your voice
(C) End the consultation immediately
(D) Ignore the concerns

25. Which skill is MOST important in patient education?
(A) Clear explanation at patient’s level of understanding
(B) Use of medical jargon
(C) Avoiding repetition
(D) Speaking quickly

26. Which technique ensures patient understanding of instructions?
(A) Teach-back method
(B) Fast delivery
(C) No questioning allowed
(D) Skipping explanations

27. Non-verbal cues from patients are important because they:
(A) Provide additional insight into feelings
(B) Should be ignored
(C) Replace medical history
(D) Are irrelevant

28. Which communication barrier is common in elderly patients?
(A) Hearing impairment
(B) Overconfidence
(C) Strong vocabulary
(D) High health literacy

29. Which of the following helps when communicating with a child patient?
(A) Use simple language and involve parents
(B) Use medical jargon
(C) Ignore questions
(D) Speak only to parents

30. Which of the following improves communication with patients who have low literacy?
(A) Use visual aids and simple explanations
(B) Provide complex documents
(C) Speak rapidly
(D) Avoid education

31. Which of the following is an essential feature of therapeutic communication?
(A) Active listening, empathy, and clarity
(B) Interrupting the patient
(C) Overloading with data
(D) Ignoring emotions

32. What is the most common complaint patients have about doctors?
(A) Not listening adequately
(B) Too much empathy
(C) Too much time spent
(D) Excessive information

33. Which is MOST important in cross-cultural communication?
(A) Avoiding assumptions and stereotypes
(B) Speaking louder
(C) Using only translators
(D) Ignoring cultural beliefs

34. Which of the following should be avoided in professional communication?
(A) Interrupting
(B) Empathy
(C) Eye contact
(D) Clarity

35. When a patient shares sensitive information, the doctor should:
(A) Listen respectfully and maintain confidentiality
(B) Share with colleagues unnecessarily
(C) Dismiss the concern
(D) Laugh it off

36. Which method is best when language barriers exist?
(A) Use of trained medical interpreter
(B) Asking family without permission
(C) Ignoring details
(D) Guessing meaning

37. Effective communication in shared decision-making requires:
(A) Collaboration between patient and doctor
(B) Doctor-only authority
(C) Patient-only authority
(D) Avoiding discussions

38. Which strategy builds long-term trust?
(A) Consistency and honesty in communication
(B) Changing answers often
(C) Avoiding explanations
(D) Hiding mistakes

39. Which is the best way to end a consultation?
(A) Summarize plan and check patient understanding
(B) Walk out abruptly
(C) Leave without summary
(D) Avoid clarifications

40. Which of the following enhances patient satisfaction?
(A) Respect, empathy, and involvement in decisions
(B) Avoiding patient input
(C) Rushing through appointments
(D) Ignoring patient questions

41. Which of the following is the FIRST step in communication with patients?
(A) Establishing rapport
(B) Giving prescription
(C) Ordering tests
(D) Ending consultation

42. Which of the following is considered therapeutic touch?
(A) A gentle, appropriate touch to comfort the patient
(B) Hugging all patients
(C) Ignoring boundaries
(D) Avoiding touch completely

43. Which of the following shows respect in communication?
(A) Addressing patient by preferred name/title
(B) Using nicknames without consent
(C) Ignoring preferences
(D) Speaking rudely

44. Which skill helps avoid misunderstandings?
(A) Clarification and summarizing
(B) Ignoring details
(C) Speaking quickly
(D) Avoiding questions

45. When delivering complex medical information, doctors should:
(A) Break it down into simple terms
(B) Use Latin medical terms only
(C) Skip explanations
(D) Give written documents only

46. Which of the following improves compliance with treatment?
(A) Clear communication and shared decisions
(B) Lack of explanation
(C) Ignoring concerns
(D) Fast consultations

47. Which of the following is an example of good communication?
(A) “Let’s discuss your concerns and options together.”
(B) “Just do as I say.”
(C) “Don’t ask questions.”
(D) “You wouldn’t understand.”

48. Which is MOST important when communicating with terminally ill patients?
(A) Sensitivity, honesty, and compassion
(B) Avoiding discussions
(C) Providing false hope
(D) Ignoring feelings

49. Which of the following demonstrates active engagement?
(A) Nodding, summarizing, and asking follow-up questions
(B) Looking away constantly
(C) Writing without listening
(D) Avoiding interaction

50. Effective communication with patients ultimately leads to:
(A) Better patient outcomes and satisfaction
(B) Higher conflict rates
(C) Lower adherence
(D) Patient mistrust