Patient Communication Skills Flashcards
7 cards from real LPCC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Communication Skills flashcards as text
Which of the following BEST illustrates a confrontation in counseling?
Answer: Pointing out a discrepancy between what a client says and what they do, in a caring way
Therapeutic confrontation highlights discrepancies between stated values and behavior in a supportive, non-threatening manner to promote self-awareness.
A deaf client uses American Sign Language as their primary language. The counselor who is not fluent in ASL should FIRST:
Answer: Arrange for a qualified interpreter and discuss confidentiality implications with the client
Using a qualified interpreter and addressing confidentiality upholds both ADA accommodations and ethical standards for informed consent.
In motivational interviewing, 'change talk' refers to:
Answer: Client statements that favor moving toward change
Change talk — client-generated statements expressing desire, ability, reasons, or commitment to change — is the target of MI counselor behavior.
A client reports feeling 'fine' but has been crying throughout the session. The counselor's BEST response demonstrates:
Answer: Reflective listening that gently names the observed emotional experience
Reflecting the observable emotional experience gently invites the client to acknowledge feelings they may be minimizing without accusation.
Which communication behavior is MOST associated with strong therapeutic alliance?
Answer: Consistent nonverbal attentiveness, warmth, and collaborative goal-setting
Research consistently links therapeutic alliance to the counselor's relational warmth, attunement, and shared goal clarity rather than technique expertise alone.
A client asks the counselor to keep a secret before revealing information. The counselor should BEST respond by:
Answer: Explaining that confidentiality has limits before hearing the information
Agreeing to secrecy before disclosure risks promising confidentiality that may legally or ethically be impossible to maintain.
Paraphrasing differs from parroting because paraphrasing:
Answer: Restates the client's message in the counselor's own words to check understanding
Paraphrasing demonstrates active processing by the counselor, while parroting merely echoes words without showing comprehension.