How to Answer: If a patient were to tell you that they do not agree with a doctor's orders or diagnosis, how would you respond?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Licensed Practical Nurse job interview.
23. If a patient were to tell you that they do not agree with a doctor's orders or diagnosis, how would you respond?
How to Answer
With a potentially controversial situation like this, it is okay to have an opinion. However, it is always best to keep your delivery professional and as neutral as possible. Feeding into a patient's feelings of negativity could cause a bigger problem in the end. Remember, as an LPN; you should always listen to a patient's concerns and then direct your thoughts to the appropriate person in a supervisory position. This type of question gives the interviewer a chance to see how you may handle conflict in the workplace.
Written by Heather Douglass on February 16th, 2020
Entry Level
"If a patient were to tell me that they disagree with a doctor's order or prognosis, I would ask what their concerns are and bring that information to my supervisor's attention. While the issue may be a lack of understanding by my patient, it is always best to have someone in authority be able to address concerns, especially if the physician has to revisit the patients' files."
Written by Darby Faubion on January 22nd, 2019
Answer Example
"Many times patients say that they don't agree with a doctor's orders because they do not understand the order. If a patient were to tell me that they had a concern, I would ask what the concern is to make sure I approached the situation from a place of full understanding. If I can explain an order or procedure to a patient in a way that they can more easily understand it, I will. If I feel like the patient's concern is legitimate, I would speak to my supervisor and address the issue formally."
Written by Heather Douglass on February 16th, 2020
Experienced
"I would respond by asking discovery questions and digging deeper into the patients' concerns. Complete communication is the key to delivering empathetic care. As an experienced LPN, I know there is a critical connection between a patients' understanding and the speed or likelihood of their recovery. When every party is on board with a patient care plan, including the patient and the doctor, we increase the chance that the person will recover."
Written by Rachelle Enns on February 16th, 2020