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133 real interview questions for medical, PA, dental and other health programs, with sample answer outlines for 48 of them. Filter, open an answer, then practice it out loud.
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Patient safety · Intermediate · With sample answers3
Clear filters- Practice this question nowEthicsIntermediateMMI station MD, DO, PA, Nursing, Residency
Before a shift, you notice your senior resident smells of alcohol. What do you do?
Professionalism · Patient safety
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Sample answer outline
- State the priority: patient safety. If the resident may be impaired, they should not see patients until that is resolved.
- Don't assume. Speak to them privately and calmly, say what you noticed, and ask how they are.
- If the concern stands, tell the attending or supervisor before the shift starts. You don't need proof to raise a safety concern.
- Show care for the colleague: impairment can signal illness or crisis. Point to physician health and support programs.
- Acknowledge your position as a trainee and follow the hospital's reporting policy.
What makes it work
- It balances safety, fairness and compassion instead of picking one.
- Escalation is proportionate and quick, because patients are at stake.
Avoid
- Saying nothing because they are senior.
- Confronting them in front of the team.
- Practice this question nowEthicsIntermediateMMI station MD, DO, PA, Nursing, Residency
During rotations, you see one of your closest friends cover up a medical error they made with a patient. What do you do?
Integrity · Patient safety · Professionalism
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Sample answer outline
- First check on the patient: are they at risk right now? If so, alert the team immediately.
- Speak to your friend promptly and privately. Encourage them to disclose and offer to go with them.
- If they won't, take it to your supervisor yourself. Patient safety outranks loyalty.
- Acknowledge the pull of friendship and their fear, and point out that errors are reported to fix systems, not only to punish people.
What makes it work
- It gives your friend the chance to do the right thing first.
- Clear priorities: patient, honesty, then the friendship.
Avoid
- Staying quiet to protect the friendship.
- Practice this question nowSituationalIntermediateMMI station, Traditional one-on-one Nursing, Pharmacy, PA
You notice a physician's orders seem incorrect for a patient. How do you handle this?
Patient safety · Communication · Teamwork
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Sample answer outline
- Don't carry out an order you believe is unsafe. Pause first.
- Check yourself: the chart, the medication reference, any recent changes in the patient's condition.
- Call the prescriber with a structured message (situation, background, assessment, recommendation) and ask directly.
- If you're still concerned, go up the chain: charge nurse, supervisor.
- Document the conversation and the outcome.
What makes it work
- Shows the nurse's role as a safety check, done respectfully.
- A clear escalation path, not a confrontation.
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